2006 Town Warrant Article 5

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Town of Pelham Zoning Ordinance as follows:

Amend Article XI, Section 307-68 and 307-69 I to make the Sign Ordinance more clear by requiring information about the sign as part of the permitting process and to clarify who approves sign permits?  (Recommended by the Planning Board).

Voter's Guide Explanation

Question 5 is another housekeeping zoning ordinance that would clarify what information about a proposed sign must accompany the sign permit application and exactly who has the authority to issue sign permits. If Question 6 is approved, the sign permit must contain a color drawing of the proposed sign as well as details about the materials of construction and any movement or changing messages the sign may display. Currently, the definition of who issues sign permits is somewhat unclear, specifying "the building official" as the responsible individual. If this article is approved, the Board of Selectmen will have the authority to determine which Town employee is best suited to act in this capacity as building official for the review and issuance of sign permits.

Backup Data

• Zoning Public Hearing Notices

Proposed language italicized.

Language to be removed strikethrough.

Item #4: Amend Article XI Section 307-68 and 307-69 I to make the Sign Ordinance more clear by requiring more information about the sign as part of the permitting process and to clarify who approves sign permits.

Existing language:

307-68 Sign Permit

Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the Town of Pelham, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the building official as required by this code. This prohibition shall not be construed to require any permit for a change of copy on any sign, nor for the repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued, so long as the sign or sign structure is not modified in any way.

307-69 Sign Definitions and Restrictions

       I.  Building Officials:  The official appointed under the building code of the Town.

Proposed language:

307-68 Sign Permit

Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the Town of Pelham, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the building official as required by this code. This prohibition shall not be construed to require any permit for a change of copy on any sign, nor for the repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued, so long as the sign or sign structure is not modified in any way.

All sign applications shall include a color rendering of the proposed sign, a detailed description of materials of construction, illumination, moving components, electronic messages and method of attachment to structure. 

307-69 Sign Definitions and Restrictions

I.       Building Officials:  The official appointed under the building code of the Town by the Board of Selectmen to review and issue sign permits.