Survey Results: Sign Regulations

This survey is not official, it was intended to raise awareness of an issue that will be discussed in detail by the Litchfield Planning & Zoning Commission beginning on Monday, July 19th. We would encourage you to share your thoughts with the P&Z Commission on Monday. editor

1. How should signs be regulated in the town of Litchfield? (48 responses)

3 - I love signs, the more the merrier, I never want to see another flower or tree, just signs everywhere!

2 - I don't ever want to see another sign anywhere, there are way too many now, I say allow no signs at all anywhere!

43 - Some signs are okay, but we need rules for people to follow - factors might include size, location, length of display time.

2. What criteria should be used to regulate signage? (50 responses)

3. Should permits be required for all signs including a fee based on size, location and the length of display time? (49 responses)

12 - Yes (24.5%)
24 - No (49.0%)
13 - Not Sure (26.5%)

4. How should sign regulations be enforced? (49 responses)

5. If fees are charged for permits and/or fines, should the money generated be used for enforcement of sign regulations? (48 responses)

23 - Yes (47.9%)
13 - No (27.1%)
12 - Maybe (25.0%)

6. Your thoughts about sign regulations? (33 responses)

1.
sandwich boards should be allowed for a limited time
2.
EXCEPT FOR THE TATTERED RIBBONS IN TOWN, THE FEW OTHR SIGNS LOOK FINE.
3.
Your first question is OUTRAGEOUSLY phrased and I almost didn't go beyond it since I thought it was cynical and extreme. It did not allow for any "scale" of how we feel about signs. Shame on you for phrasing it this way. The rest of the survey is well done, so I've answered it. I believe we do not stronger enforcement of signs, BUT it needs to be done consistently, not ad hoc. So clarity of sign regulations would help that. I'd like to se a difference between permanent and temporary signs, and a defintion of temporary. Signs can be expensive, so I don't think destroying them is appropriate if they are in the wrong place because of ignorance. But I DO think there should be penalties if the guidelines/regulations are disregarded.
4.
No charge for permits but businesses should be fined if they do not follow the regulations and if the town has to pay someone to remove the signs then the business or individual should have to pay additional fines/fees
5.
Require one LED sign for parcels containing multiple business so there is not more than one sign for the property. The LED sign would change to wording for each business on a compter programed rotation. Technology is a great thing. A good example where one LED sign (state of the art signs look like a high definition TV screen) could work is at the Village Green shopping center. There are some many signs that are so small you can not read them when you drive by. If you are going to have a sign you need them large enough to read. One sign with a interchangable messages works. I seen LED signs in other parts of the country. Just imagine the 21st century in Litchfield. How great.
6.
The regulations have to encourage business growth.
7.
are we talking about signs in people's yards?
8.
This should include sandwich boards, tag sales, invisible dog fences, and alarm company signs. They should all be regulated and enforced.
9.
Just let the signs be who cares just regulate what is being said on the signs
10.
there should be none
11.
If you refer to signage as in the one placed by Chowder Heads, what's the problem?. Their business needs all the help it can get. Times are tough...would you rather see another empty building? Not good for tax revenue. Depending on the reason for the sign and where it is placed, it is ok by me. You should worry more about the streets that didn't get swept this spring or the ones not patched or repaved like mine!
12.
charge a minimal fee for a sign permit, NOT based on size, location and time. charge penalties for no permit, and abuse of the regulations
13.
Businesses are hurting enough as it is. The last thing they need is a new set of fees and regulations to follow! Let the signs be used when the business deems necessary!
14.
Business needs to do business. Signs help do that business.Tacky signs should not be allowed.P & Z needs to be more freindly toward business without FEES !!!!!!!!!!!!!
15.
You are boardering on the peoples' freedoms
16.
A number of businesses were allowed to have HUGE signs on Rt. 202 which aren't needed and are unsightly. Get the regs in order and NO ONE gets grandfathered in for the huge signs they have up
17.
How would you know for certain who put up a sign in order to charge penalty without permit?
18.
I think some signs can be allowed and may be good for businesses and to advertise for a short term cause. Signs should not be allowed to be too large or flashing. Signs should have a time limit. I am unsure who should be in charge of enforcing all of this!
19.
I think that this quiz is one of the most biased tests I have ever seen. There is no way to express a reasonable and valid opinion that varies from the quiz constructor's clear bias against signage.
20.
We need to be careful, within reason about allowing signs.
21.
I believe that our signage rules are unclear, poorly thought out and are absolutely biased against local businesses. While there needs to be regulation, what we have now is arbitrary and capricious.
22.
as long as the signs do not interfear with traffic or the line of sight and are made with some class let them be alot of out-of-towners need them to know where they are !!
23.
They should be removed daily at closing, kept neat and include eye catching or daily info.
24.
For daily business signs they should be self regulated but for say political signs and say advertising work at someones home they need to be removed or pay a fine.. Sandwich boards are a key to rural business and the success of these businesses. I believe it best to have catagories of signage and deal with them in that manner. Do not lump all signs as they are not all created equal.
25.
Signs used for comunity events, announcements should be allowed as they are promoting activities which benefit the town. Advertising signs should be regulated for length of time, size and location, and possibly charge a permit fee for these. Permit fee for posting political signs is a possibility? Allow directional signs for a specific weekend event, i.e. wedding is fine and should be allowed without any fee. Signs advertising an event that is for profit, i.e. Jazz Festival, should consider a permit. Just a thought.
26.
If Lighted, All signs should be externally lit
27.
We need regulations that allow businesses to display signs up to a specific size. Signs should require permits at NO charge, which will encourage businesses to apply for permits. Penalties should be charged for signs erected without permit or in excess of the size allowed. There should not be a time limit on how long signs can be displayed; it's too hard to enforce.
28.
We need business and business needs signs, but without regulation they would compete for notice.
29.
I think that we need to exercise control in terms of size, color, etc. and be sure that temporary signs (i.e. for specific events) are removed in a timely manner. On the other hand, businesses that are off the main road could really use well placed, modest signs to help potential customers find them. I'm not sure there should be any fee, but a simple permit process (like the one for burning permits) might be a good idea.
30.
allow sandwich signs for businesses, especially rear properties.....be business friendly & fair with businesses.......
31.
Commercial signs need to be regulated as well as the ubiquitous yard, garage, and moving signs that individuals post everywhere and then leave in place for eternity or until a storm drives the sign into the street or onto someone's windhsield as happened to me at the corner of Milton and 202 where the signs seem to multiply like rabbits.
32.
Too much regulation in Litchfield. Let property owners place whatever signs they want to on their property.
33.
They should be dealt with on an individual basis with thoughtful decisions.

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