1999 Planning Commission Packets

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(township, county) is thinking of tinkering with sign standards, these people should be - confacted and kept informed. A task force, or several task forces devoted to specific sub- issues, mighi be appointed to discuss, study, and make recommendations. As wiih all planning issues, allowing people to know they have been heard goes a long way toward reducing hostiliky and suspicion about a govern.ment agency's acti�ns. 3. 1)ivide a�d conquer. Because of the varied types of signage, ii may make sense to divide the task of sign ordinance refo�rn in�o several issues. Have one task force address residential signage issues, have another group focus on pylon signs on the highway, have another one tackle temporary signs such as banners, penriants, balloons, searchlights, etc. The issues involved can be vezy different from one another. ICeeping each group focused wili make the job easier. � Remember, however, that the end objective is to promote communiiy aesthetics, public safety, and related issues. It may heip to parcel out the issues to various groups, but after aIl the discussion there needs to be one comprehensive, consistent, rational framework of regulaYions. 4. �Iave clear obiectives At the outset, the Planning Commission, City Council, Town Board, or County Board should outline clear objectives for siudy of the sign ordinance. Qften �he Comprehensive Plan may already have goals and policies related to signage. Rely on t�em as a _�� foundation for your efforts, since the role of #he zoning ordinance is �o implemeni the Comp Plan. If fhere are Comp Plan policies that conflict wiih the objectives of your signage discussion, you may need to amend the Plan as part of the process. Then, look around and ask some basic questions about signage. Is the concem a specific area of town that is "cluttered" with signs? Ts there a proliferation of tall pylon signs that no one anticipated? Are there numerous banners and grand opening signs going up without clear regulation? Are billboards a current or potential threat? Is there a type of developmeni, e.g., anulti-tenant o�f'ice-warehouse buildings, for which there are no clear sign standards in the ozdinance? Or is there a general distaste for the way the corrununity has developed and �he nwnber and size of signs? Be clear about what you want to #ackle and what questions you want answered, and have everyone involved agree (to the extent possible) beforehand to the abjectives that a study is expected to achieve. 5. Out�ine a roce s. A ciear process would include the following: * St�dy the current situation, conducted by staff, the Planning Commission, a task force, or consultant. At the very least they should reseacch what the current standards are and E _ � ; . . __