PLANNING COMMISSION
JANUARY 20, 2021
Mr. de Mooy stated that the before the meeting was called to order the first order of business was to nominate and elect a new slate of officers.
Mr. Grotsky moved to nominate and elect Morgan Ellis as Chair, John Hutchison as Vice-Chair and Owen Bailey as Secretary. Ms. Ellis seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Mr. de Mooy thanked Mr. Grotsky for serving as Chairman, adding that he had served the maximum term limit allowed in that capacity. The Commission also thanked Mr. Grotsky for his service, adding that they were happy that he agreed to remain a member of the Commission.
Ms. Ellis, Chair, called the meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Owen Bailey, Jeffrey Grotsky and John Hutchison, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
MINUTES
Ms. Ellis asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the December 16, 2020 meeting minutes. Mr. Bailey moved to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2020 Planning Commission meeting as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Hutchison and carried unanimously.
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 170 ZONING – TO ALLOW LARGER SIGNAGE IN C-3 ZONING DISTRICT
Mr. de Mooy stated that it has come to his attention that the current sign regulations in effect for the C-3 Neighborhood Commercial District did not allow for large enough signage given the land size of some properties within the zone. He said that the zoning had changed on the north end of High Street to C-3 and signage was not considered when the change was made. He said that signage requirements do not necessarily correlate with the size of the buildings.
Mr. de Mooy read the section that would be reworded (note changes in bold) in §170-87(5) as follows:
“Signs subject to permit in the C‑3 Zone include temporary signs, permanent signs and accessory signs. Permanent signs can be flat signs with a maximum area equal to one (1) square foot of sign for one (1) linear foot of store frontage, not to exceed forty (40) square feet for each storefront. One (1) flat sign is permitted for each ground level storefront. In cases where a front yard setback equals or exceeds twenty-five (25) feet, a freestanding sign may be permitted if such sign does not exceed eight feet in height and twelve (12) square feet in area. In cases where the property is outside of the Historic District, a twenty-five (25) feet front yard setback exists, and the property frontage exceeds one hundred fifty (150) feet in length, a freestanding sign may be permitted if such sign does not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height and thirty (30) square feet in area. Signs may be internally lighted except in the Historic District, where such lighting is inappropriate to the structure or property. Store occupants behind or above the ground level storefront must share the sign area square footage allowed to the storefront facing the street.”
Mr. Hutchison moved to approve the zoning text amendment as presented, was seconded by Mr. Grotsky and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT
Ms. Ellis stated that the Annual Report had been submitted and asked if there was a motion for its approval. Mr. Bailey moved to approve the 2020 Annual Report as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Hutchison and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Bailey moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Hutchison and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Jeffrey Grotsky
Town Clerk Chair
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PLANNING COMMISSION
JANUARY 20, 2021
7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
- Nomination and Election of Chairman, Vice-Chair and Secretary for 2021
- Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting of December 16, 2020
- Approval of Planning Commission Annual Report
- Amendment to Chapter 170 Zoning to allow larger signage in C-3 Zoning Distric