MINUTES OF THE STRASBURG PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL.

Planning Commission members present:  Chairperson Smith and Commissioners Cromer, Davis, Dean, Kepler, Terndrup and Council Member Whittle.  Absent:  Others Present:  Planner Amos.

Chairperson Smith asked for the approval of the following minutes:

            January 22, 2008 – Regular Meeting

            February 13, 2008 - Worksession

The minutes were approved as submitted.

Action Items:

Ř      Skyline Realty Entrance Corridor Sign

The sign would go above the white fence on the side of the property at Founder’s Landing.  Commissioner Kepler asked if there would be enough space for the sign and Planner Amos said the sign might not be as tall as proposed.  Commissioner Terndrup asked about the sign being lighted; Chairperson Smith read the ordinance requirements/restrictions and Planner Amos explained the lighting.

Commissioner Cromer moved for the approval of the sign as to the Entrance Corridor Overlay District guidelines; second by Council Member Whittle. 

For clarification, Council Member Whittle asked if the sign would be lighted and Planner Amos said there would be candles in the windows of the house on the sign and the rest would be illuminated.

The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Ř      Sign Ordinance Review

Planner Amos had emailed sign ordinances from various locations to Commissioners.  Mr. Higgs, Concept Unlimited, Inc., was in attendance as a marketing consultant.

Chairperson Smith asked what would be a reasonable size for the Town to allow.  Mr. Higgs explained various ratios localities use in determining sign size.  Mr. Higgs added if your business faces two roads, the tenant should be allowed to have a sign on each side.  He also discussed an “8 line continuous configuration.”  He discussed the size of the letters and how far away you could be and still be able to see the sign.  Color combinations and the speed a vehicle is traveling also play a role in the signage.  He does not think all signs in a development need to be the same color or even style of lettering (style of lettering is usually regulated by the landlord).  He did suggest defining rooflines.  He added most localities do not limit the sign being lighted all night; this, too, might be done by the landlord.  LED lights use 1/10 of the power so this would help make for a “green community.”  The distance from the road sometimes is considered so the business can have a larger sign. 

Chairperson Smith explained the Town of Strasburg has an Entrance Corridor and the Town currently requires a monument style sign.  Mr. Higgs said he felt the current code is generous on the amount of signage on a monument or pile-on sign.  He also likes the monument signs in areas where the speed limit is 45 mph. 

The Commissioners discussed various ways of determining the size of signs on a single story building and how to best change the current ordinance.  The consensus was the sign size should be increased.  Comments were made about current businesses and problems they are having with signage, prospective businesses, and pros and cons of other localities’ ordinance. 

After discussion, the general consensus of the Commission was to have it written:

In a one floor building with multiple uses, allow 1 square foot of sign for each linear foot of individual store frontage with a maximum of 200 square foot for any one unit.

Commissioner Smith read some other ideas he had on our current ordinance (attached here-to).  It was said much needed to be added to the definitions in the ordinance.  Having graphics in the ordinance would also be helpful.  It was discussed charging a fee for permits for all signs. 

The Commission needs to move forward with Mr. Hurd, the consultant for the Comprehensive Plan, and his proposal.  The proposal will be discussed at the Worksession and then a special meeting will be set with the consultant soon thereafter.  There will be a Public meeting prior to the Worksession regarding the VCDBG Planning Grant.

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.