The Chestertown Council will hold a public hearing tonight at 7 p.m. on a controversial sign ordinance revision — proposed by the Planning Commission — that will prohibit LED signs and other new technologies on and in storefronts in the town limits.
“Included under this definition are television and computer screens, projection screens, and programmable LED signs installed on the face of a building or located within six (6) feet of a window and seen from the public way, such as a street or sidewalk,” the proposed revisions reads.
Some businesses have taken issue with Chestertown Zoning Administrator Kees De Mooy and the planning commission over restrictions that prevented the Garfield Center from installing an LED sign in the transom over the entrance to the Prince Theatre.
In a time of national economic stagnation, local businesses have expressed the need to employ every tool they can to attract businesses into their stores — and shop owners have expressed that Chestertown’s elected officials, who are mostly retired, are disconnected from “those of us who are still building a nest egg and have a ways to go before retirement.”
In addition to the new restrictions, local businesses feel that De Mooy and Town Manager Bill Ingersoll have not applied the sign ordinance “even-handedly” — allowing repeated violations from some businesses while slapping others with fines.
The hearing will be held on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall, at the corner of Cross Street and Washington Avenue.
joel brandes says
I wonder if the planning commission has lost its collective mind. Banning all electronic signs within town limits is a step too far. I understand that a case can be made for the historic district, though I think some exceptions would be in order. Chestertown, being unique, offers an exception to the rule when it comes to signs attracting locals. What was the biggest seller in Scotty’s shoe store? Not shoes. If we had tourists they would be unlikely to go to Scotty’s for a newspaper. The Garfield is different, not because it is a theater, but because its offering changes weekly.
Scotty’s teaches us another lesson. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.
Stephan Sonn says
And now for the Chatty Cathy hour.
Keith Thompson says
I think it was obvious from the hearing last night that the downtown arts community isn’t happy about this.
Stephan Sonn says
And rightfully so Keith.
Mike Hunt says
I used to be angry about this sign debate, but now I am increasingly just sorrowful. How many years have we dwelt on this? Why can’t the new theater take modest steps to remain a viable concern (and other businesses as well) as opposed to being an empty shell? Don’t we have enough empty shells? Things must change after the next election. Either that, or…
Case in point: Centreville: they manage to balance history with small business. They, unlike us, are figuring out a way to keep their farmer’s market open during the Winter (see the Spy article). We’ve spent years finding every excuse to say no to the same thing. To whom are we saying no? To many local, environmental and small businesses and the best things in this town. Since multiple offers from Washington College to help keep the Chestertown farmer’s market open year round have been killed by bureaucrats, I suggest, sadly, perhaps we consider abandoning Chestertown and doing our business in Centreville. It’s nice that a least one jurisdiction around here tries to figure out a way to say yes to local businesses and the broader community and their citizenry.
Stephan Sonn says
In a small village like ours it only takes a handful of naysayers to gut any initiative.
The Garfield initiative could turn Chestertown into a cultural anchor
for affluent patrons who might crave an adventurous weekend.
But it will take colorful staging as a whole community effort.
And above all, friendly natives. We are as a town quite inhospitable,
isolationist, piddling, squabbling and without a plan so we need
an epiphany not a sidewalk makeover…intervention needed.
Time for professional volunteers and ad-hoc committees of a finer spirit.
Pete Brocker play it again Sam says
When and if this sign thing is passed when will I be able to turn my sign around? The same sign that would cost $100 a day if I kept it up.
Brett Lysinger says
How is there a debate about this last time I checked the Isign is in the historic district and I do not think they had those back in the day…. Another example of this town wasting time on a sign and not addressing real issues.