(7/29) Emmitsburg’s new sign ordinance moves one step closer to final approval after the support shown by the town’s Planning Commission on June 20. After the June 6 town meeting the Board of Commissioners voted to pass the proposed sign ordinance off to the town’s Planning Commission for the mandatory 30-day review. Specifically, Commissioners asked Planning Commission members to provide comments on internally illuminated signs in the Village District, and whether the town’s architectural guidelines should be added as review criteria to specific sections in the code.

The update to the sign ordinance, which was initially brought to the Board of Commissioners earlier this year, looks to include, and be favorable towards, modern-day signage while being in compliance with Supreme Court cases, in order to protect the town from future litigation.

After the initial presentation of this ordinance garnered attention from business owners and residents town staff opted to hold multiple meetings for members of the business and residential community in Emmitsburg to provide feedback on the proposed changes. Flyers were mailed with the sewer/water bill, meeting dates were placed on all social media outlets and at the town office and all EBPA members received emails regarding these meetings. 23 members of the community attended these meetings, most of which were businesses.

After the conclusion of these meetings, with input from business owners, the town made a few changes to the ordinance. The originally proposed ordinance prohibited neon/internally illuminated signs in businesses, however, after much discussion between town staff, the Mayor and several business owners in favor of using these signs, it was decided that neon signs will be permitted. Each business may only have one neon sign, in size up to two square feet and must be a steady and stationary light source.

Initial concerns regarding neon signs came from Mayor Don Briggs who didn’t believe they fit into the parameters of the historical district of town. Planning Commission Chair Keith Suerdieck argued that, "neon signs could be considered historical in themselves as they define an era of the 20s, 30’s and 40’s. From a design point of view… and historically, they are a part of it just as much as the buildings are themselves." Fellow Commission members seemed agreeable to this statement, especially with the other restrictions in place for these signs. Time restrictions will be in place from 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. or a half hour after close of business. Businesses utilizing these signs will be required to place their neon sign on a timer to ensure compliance with the ordinance. In regards to brightness, during the daylight hours sign luminance may not be greater than 5,000 nits. All other times, it may not be greater than 250 nits.

Another change included the fines associated with any violations of the ordinance. Offenders may receive a fine of up to $1,000 per day. Town Planner Zachary Gulden said that the increase in fines is due to increased town staff costs and legal fees associated with enforcing the ordinance. However, any fine related issue has to be approved by the town manager and the Mayor first. Town staff would send two warning letters prior to issuing a fine to anyone.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the changes made to the ordinance and voted to pass it back to the Board of Commissioners. A public hearing will be held at the regularly scheduled town meeting on August 5, after which a vote will be taken by Commissioners to either approve or continue amending the ordinance.