Tuesday, January 3, 2012

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign"


"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign 
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind 
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"
http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/five_man_electrical_band/signs.html


One proposed by-law change starting to work through the process this week will affect what we see all around Franklin. The Planning and Community Development Dept has already reworked the regulations and updated the definitions to help the discussions around what it will mean.

The Town Council will refer it to the Planning Board where they will review, take input during a public hearing and after making potential adjustments send it back to the Town Council. Back at the Town Council, there will be two readings (and associated discussions) before it is voted on.

The section from the Town Council agenda highlighting changes:
Changes from Previous Bylaw 
Enforcement and Pre-existing Signs 
The proposed Sign Bylaw now clearly defines the Building Commissioner as the entity who will
permit all signs, oversee installation, ensure compliance and remove non-compliant signs,
regulate their maintenance, and initiate penalties. Pre-existing signs are grandfathered unless
they were being displayed in violation of the existing Sign Bylaw. Pre-existing signs will remain
as such until a new sign is displayed or any modification to the existing signage is made, then it
must conform to the new Sign Bylaw. 
The proposed Bylaw also addresses many issues that the previous Bylaw left unaddressed.
One such issue the Bylaw now clearly defines is the role and responsibilities of the Design
Review Commission. In addition, the proposed Sign Bylaw now address a more defined
process for appeal of Design Review Commission decisions or appeals of a decision issued by
the Building Commissioner. 
Temporary Signs 
The current Sign Bylaw addresses several types of temporary signs and the extent to which
they are allowed. The proposed Bylaw clearly prohibits most temporary signs except real estate signs, political signs and non-profits if displayed in Municipal sign displays located throughout the Town. New business owners would be permitted to display one temporary sign for up to 30 days during the opening of the business.


Where did those lyrics come from? Enjoy!




The proposed bylaw can be found on beginning on page 10 of the document here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/011812.pdf

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