Signage changes discussed
Published on September 18th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - Current by-laws regulating signs throughout Stoneham have been overhauled and may soon become part of the warrant for the October Town Meeting.
The Sign Committee, in conjunction with the Planning Board has reviewed the existing by-laws currently on the books in an effort to create uniformity throughout the town. As The Stoneham Independent went to press, the Planning Board was meeting to review the new guidelines regulating sign usage. They will submit their revised by-laws to the Board of Selectmen by September 23, to gain approval for an Article for Town Meeting.
At a public meeting last week, Planning Board Chairman, August S. Niewenhous, discussed the major changes to the current regulations. The biggest change is in regards to permits. “Most every sign will require a permit,” said Niewenhous. Sign sizes will be regulated in relation to the commercial/residential zone, building setback, and facade size. The Zoning Board of Appeals will handle setback and size grievances. Sign size throughout every zone; in general terms will be smaller than previously allowed. Lighting for signage will be regulated as well. Regulations depend upon whether or not the sign is internally or externally lit, and all lighted signs will go dark from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Niewenhous said these changes were necessary to comply with the future town outlook. “Current by-laws are not consistent with any consensus of the direction the town is going,” said Niewenhous.
In an effort to beautify and regulate sign usage, the new by-laws will favor monument type signs rather than freestanding pole signs. A monument sign are those signs, which the bottom is attached directly and permanently to the ground and physically separated from any other structure. A freestanding pole sign is a sign supported by a structure or supports are placed on, or anchored in the ground and independent from any building or structure. Monument signs will be limited to a maximum size of 30 square feet and a freestanding pole will have a maximum of 24 square feet.
A sign that has garnished downtown Stoneham advertising ice cream for more than 30 years, now the home of the Daily Scoop Ice cream Shop was not specifically addressed at the meeting. Daily Scoop’s quest to add their lettering to the large sign outside of their shop, which does not conform to current by-laws, is currently under appeal. Scoops new owner, Richard Morello, has been unable to replace the faceplates in the sign at 232 Main St., because the sign is too large for current by-laws and needed to come into compliance with the change of ownership. The sign and its legality are soon to be part of a lawsuit, filed on behalf of Morello. Niewenhous, has asked that Town Counsel William Solomon review the proposed by-laws in an effort to cover the legality of that specific case
Resident John DeGeorge received a copy of the new proposed by-laws last Wednesday and after a cursory review, he concludes that overall, the appropriate intent is there. “Although I haven‚t reviewed the by-laws completely, I understand they are looking for uniformity,” said DeGeorge. The new by-law proposal consists of a 14-page pamphlet of charts for quick referral of sign requirements and another 14-pages of written by-laws and definitions. Some may find the process dizzying as size of sign, building wall size, setback and commercial/residential zones, are all factors in determining signs‚ approved size. While crediting the Planning Board for their diligent efforts, De George is concerned with all of the variances that are being pursued at any given time through the board of appeals. He believes that so many requests reveal an inflexible by-law system that may be over-burdensome on residents and business owners. De George applauds the effort to establish uniformity in commercial districts but pauses before endorsing the residential requirements. “Please, just don‚t tell me what color to paint my house.”
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