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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-15-PB-Report Article 47R E CE IIII V E ,s 0.� mow# Town ofLexington11 :04 siP„ Iw sr 01, 2024 > ° PLANNING BOARD TOWN CLU 1625 Massachusetts Avenue -�' �N Lexington MA 02420 Tel 781 698-4560 LEXINGTON IVIA XPRILI$- planning )lexingtonma.ov " 'l N wwwlexin yto, nma.gov/planning RECOMMENDATION Robert D. Peters, Chair Michael Schanbacher, Vice Chair Melanie Thompson, Clerk Robert Creech, Member Charles Hornig, Member Michael Leon, Associate Member RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF THE LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD ARTICLE 47: AMEND ZONING BYLAW - SIGNS The Planning Board recommends that Town Meeting approve the motion under Article 47 to amend Sections 5.2 and 10.0 of the Zoning Bylaw relative to signs and sign related definitions. AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION This amendment comprehensively updates the signage section of the zoning bylaw and signage related definitions by making the following changes: • Updates content -based provisions to be content -neutral to comply with constitutional requirements; • Consistently regulates the size of signs by area rather than width; • For residential properties, regulates the number and size of permanent and temporary signs separately; • Allows larger wall signs for business establishments, based on the length of their fagade; • Allows more than one principal wall sign when facing multiple public streets, municipal parking lots, or the bike path; • Allows secondary wall signs for each entrance or parking area; • Allows portable/A-frame/sandwich-board signs on private property with size restrictions; • Permits exterior illumination of signs by downlighting only; • Allows standing signs not attached to a building in all districts with size restrictions; • Prohibits permanent banner signs and limits the size of temporary banner signs; • Allows awning signs for nonresidential establishments; • Eliminates the special permit process for projecting signs (blade signs) and illuminated signs at premises open for business; • Permits the Planning Board to waive sign requirements during site plan review; • Defines additional terms; • Limits temporary signs to 1 year or less; • Exempts signs located on public property; and • Clarifies language throughout the bylaw. Planning Board Report to 2024 Annual Town Meeting Article 47 RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATION This zoning amendment updates the signage section of the Zoning Bylaw to comply with recent case law requiring content neutral regulations, support businesses by increasing the number of signs allowed for establishments, allow additional types of signs, and streamline the sign permit process. PUBLIC PROCESS The Planning Board held four public work sessions between November and January to consider zoning amendments for Annual Town Meeting. On February 7 and February 28, after publication of the legal advertisement in the Lexington Minuteman newspaper on January 18 and January 25, 2024, the Planning Board held two public hearings. The public hearing was closed on February 28 and the Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve the motion under Article 47. RECORD OF THE VOTE Michael Schanbacher moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting approve the motion under Article 47. Melanie Thompson seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll Call: Robert Creech — yes, Charles Hornig — yes, Robert Peters — yes, Michael Schanbacher — yes, Melanie Thompson — yes). SIGNATURE OF THE PLANNING BOARD CHAIR Robert D. Peters Exhibit: Approved Planning Board Meeting Minutes Planning Board Report to 2024 Annual Town Meeting Article 47