Rochester Rolls Out Proposed Sign Bylaws

All signs are pointing to new signage bylaws in Rochester, as town officials say that “sign pollution,” combined with unclear sign regulations, make it difficult for business owners to know whether their signs are legal or not.

Some members of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Board, and the bylaw subcommittee would like to make it easier for private businesses in Rochester to place their advertisements legally.

On Saturday, October 3, the Rochester Planning Board held a public forum to help acquaint Rochester residents with its proposed sign bylaws.

“We’re looking for additional exposure,” said ZBA Chairman Richard Cutler, “to improve the sign bylaws before they are officially reviewed.” He continued, “It’s difficult to get any clear understanding of what’s allowed and what isn’t,” when it comes to using signs in Rochester.

The proposed bylaws take into account the growing number of local businesses and have three goals: to maintain Rochester’s rural character, to minimize the number of signs throughout the town, and to provide guidance for needed advertising. The regulations are taken from a similar document laid out by the United States Sign Council, which Cutler said (with some incredulity) was all of 61 pages short.

The shortened bylaw proposal states that in the agricultural, residential, and limited commercial districts, business owners are allowed by right to post permanent signs. The signs will require a building permit, and the total area of the signs combined may not exceed 9 square feet. In the General Commercial district, signs may not exceed a total area of 50 square feet.

When asked if this included political signs or other ads such as “For Sale” signs, Town Planner Mary Crain responded in the negative.

“Those are temporary signs, with their own restrictions,” Crain said. ”They are separate from permanent signs.”

What are the restrictions for temporary signs? According to the bylaw proposals, political signs must be no larger than 5 square feet. Private property owners may not post signs earlier than a month in advance of the vote, and signs must be pulled down no later than 48 hours following the vote on the subject. Rent or sale signs must be taken down within seven days of the sale or rent transaction. Signs promoting a real estate open house, as well as advertisements for events such as yard sales, are permitted only for the duration of the event.

Political signs will also be removed from Town property if they are placed without permission. The idea is that with regulations clearer, rules against unpermitted political signs will be more aggressively enforced.

When asked how the town could enforce such rules, Cutler replied that it was the responsibility of the zoning enforcement officer, James Buckles. Buckles added, “I have removed political signs from town property before. I take them down when I see them. If I’m alerted, I will go out and take them down.”

Illuminated signs, while new to the town, are popping up with more frequency. They received considerable attention at the forum. Zoning bylaws allow for both internally and externally lit signs with external light shields. This is meant to prevent direct light from shining onto any street or adjacent property. Luminosity will fall within a limited range to protect drivers. In addition, illuminated signs must be turned off during all non-business hours.

Cutler made particular mention of the brightly-illuminated sign at Lloyd’s Market.

“That sign has been there since before any illuminated sign laws existed,” he said. “It will be grandfathered in, of course. What we’d like for you to do is to take a look at it when you drive by it at night, and tell us what you think. If it’s a good sign, we may be able to use it as a model for future signs.”

By Andrea Ray

RObylaw_100815

Leave A Comment...

*