La Plata, MD – When it comes to what you can and can’t display in the Town of La Plata, the signs are clear.
The town discussed its proposed Comprehensive Sign Code Revision at their monthly meeting Tuesday, July 26, and not everyone was happy.
The revisions came about per a request from the La Plata Business Association, Town Manager Daniel Mears explained, and because of a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding signage.
“We decided to revise the code in light of that decision,” Mears said. “We worked on the code to reflect that.”
He said discussions in work sessions focused on signs that need permits and signs that do not.
“One of the things brought up in our discussions is the ability to find out what is allowed and what is not allowed,” Mears added.
He said new codes in a certain area would use what is called a common sign plan, meaning that signage in certain areas would need to reflect certain aspects of other buildings and signage already established.
“We’re looking for common themes,” he said, adding that depending on the location and materials used in other locations, those themes would include color, lighting, lettering and graphic style.
Mears said the Supreme Court ruling, Reed versus the Town of Gilbert essentially limits what can and can’t be placed on signage. The basic premise is to avoid clutter and eliminate hazards to safety.
“Is there still going to be a fee to put up a temporary banner?” Butch Hyde asked. “I’ve been fighting this battle ever since the first sign ordinance went into effect. For 30 years you could put up a banner without any problems at all. Now, the town says if you come up with a little money, it was okay. I’d like you to reconsider that fee. It would mean a lot to my business.”
Bonnie Baldus-Greir asked if it would still be against code to place balloons on signage when Baldus Realty, her family’s business, has an open house and wants to advertise.
The small “popsicle” signs would be allowed, Mears told her, but under the new guidelines determined by the Supreme Court decision, balloons would not be permitted.
“Signs should be allowed to help businesses attract business,” Rob Clancy said.
Tom Ledoro said that when the town relaxed its sign code during a moratorium, he was able to put an easel sign and “business was great.”
When that moratorium was lifted, he could no longer place the sign out front to attract customers.
Paul Bales of The Crossing at Casey Jones reminded the town council that in the case of small signs, such as shingle signs, business owners do need to obtain a permit and staff review before they can just put their signs up.
A member of the discussion group which debated the new regulations, Bales said that violators of the town’s code will first get a letter notifying them that their permits have expired and banners must be removed, and citizens need to know there will be followup on that.
The revised code will now go before the town’s Planning Commission Wednesday, Aug. 3 for the second of two public hearings before going back to the town council for approval.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com