Planning Board Public Hearing

November 1, 2011

Land Use Ordinance Proposed changes for the Town of Washington in reference to signs.

Lynn Cook opened the public hearing at 6:30PM

Public: Jim and Gwen Gaskell, Phil Barker, Jerry Klohs

Cook read a summary of the proposed changes to the Land Use Ordinance, Section 309 in reference to the sign permit.

Phil Barker asked what signs would be exempt. Cook reviewed the signs that would be exempt. Barker asked is there a definition for a temporary sign. Cook answered yes, and went to the definitions of a temporary sign i.e. realtor sign, contractor signs and the duration that they could remain. Gaskell asked for a better tighter definition of how long a temporary sign, such as a contractor, can stay up and should have a definite ending. Cook said that do you feel we need to work on the definition? Jerry Khlos asked who has an issue with signs being left on properties? Schwartz said citizens have made complaints regarding the signs that are abandoned. Barker asked if a person that wants to place a sign on another’s property do they need permission? Schwartz said yes, that this is addressed in the proposed changes. Cook asked the group to move onto the off-premises signs.

Cook read the proposed ordinance to those in attendance.

Barker asked what is the fee for a sign? Dagesse answered $30.00. Barker asked if this fee was forever? Chute said yes, and the Board is not looking to change this.

Barker said that the Town is the biggest violator with the smartboard sign. Cook went back to reading the proposed ordinance.

Barker said that no signs are allowed on PSNH poles. Chute said that we have the utilities’ poles noted on both on and off-premises signs. Barker said that a landowner should have to get permission from an abutter? The Board will discuss the suggestion. Gaskell said that you should be careful that you only put forth something that the Town can enforce. The Board agreed with Gaskell. Cook said that the Board would discuss the abutter suggestion made by Barker and moved back to reading the ordinance.  Barker asked about the temporary signs stating that only one sign per length of road, Valley Road is very long and what if someone was having an open house. Schwartz said that an open house would be an exception. Barker asked why would the farmers market sign, flea market sign, historical society, why does it give two days to take the sign down. Gwen Gaskell said that this is why the Farmers Market sign should be able to stay up for the season. Crandall said that we are trying to make things better, not just simpler, but better. Jim Gaskell asked about a perpetual yard sale. Marshall said that this would fall into a business permit issue. Barker brought up the issue that no permit is needed for a municipal sign but the smartboard has private functions displayed and there is too much information on it and is hazardous to drivers. Marshall said he would address this on Thursday.

Cook closed the public hearing at 7:15PM.