LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Planning Board looks to reword the town's sign bylaws after a recent contentious tussle over a business sign because of the way the bylaw could be interpreted.

 

Chair Courtney Dondi addressed the room beforehand, asking the attendees in the room to stay respectful.

 

"I know that our town is experiencing some tension around certain bylaw discussions, change, uncertainty, and complex zoning language can understandably cause frustration. This board does not create conflict. We manage processes," she said. "One of our responsibilities is to ensure that existing and proposed bylaws are revered, be reviewed thoughtfully, legally and transparently, which all take time. 

 

"We serve the entire town, not one group over another. Tonight, we will follow our agenda and maintain order so that every voice has the opportunity to be heard."

 

Planner Joe Trybus later expanded on her comments to explain the board doesn't make the rules.

 

"People always think it's the town and I just want to make clear to everybody that we do not make rules, we do not do anything like that," he said. "You come in, you have a suggestion, we talk about it. If this board agrees on doing something like that, we will write a bylaw to bring to the annual town meeting so everybody in this town can vote on it."

 

Inspired Creations owner Paula Messana said during public comment how she was told to take down a flutter flag because it was not allowed by the town bylaw.

 

She said it is hard for her business right now since the snow piles are reducing her storefront's visibility. The flag has helped her business significantly.

 

"My business increased like 45 percent with that flutter (feather) flag out there because now people from the street driving by could see hey there's a gift shop there," Messana said.

 

"I read somewhere that they didn't allow flutter flags because they're distracting. Well I can't tell you how many times driving to work in the morning I'm chicken-necking trying to read whose name is on that veterans flag. ...

 

"As a small business gift shop I'm dying a slow death right now because the snow banks are taller than my store and nobody can see me from the road and nobody stops and it's just extremely painful."

 

The bylaw currently states "two banner signs, not including feather flags, are allowed per business." Messana asked for the bylaw to include feather flags. 

 

Building Commissioner Brian Duval said if they were to add anything to the bylaws, it should include size dimensions to A-frame or sandwich board signs since there is no size limit currently.

 

After much discussion the board decided look at flutter flags, adding a limit and height requirements, and placement requirements; A-frame signs with size and placement requirements; to clarify whether banner signs can be freestanding or attached to buildings, and that they aren't obstructing drivers but still visible enough to help business owners.

 

The planners will also make other clarifications such as definitions of what's exempt and bring accessory signs into their own section.

 

They are also considering a temporary sign permit for new businesses until their permanent signs are approved and installed.

 

These changes will be drafted and reviewed in March at the next meeting.