Sign ordinance closer to adoption

By Jennifer Jean Miller
BYRAM — The sign ordinance for Byram Township, which has been under review and revised several times since Feb. 2013, is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Byram Township Council led a special discussion on the topic of the sign ordinance at the council meeting on Feb. 3, with several members from the planning board and the economic development advisory committee participating and offering input.

“It was an evolving process,” said township planner Paul Gleitz, of developing the ordinance. “Things went back and forth. In a general sense, what we really tried to do was find what we liked and didn’t like.”

That process entailed reviewing the best parts of the existing sign ordinances and making updates to them. The township also reviewed sign ordinances in nearby municipalities and borrowed ideas from neighboring communities.

“This in my mind, is a well done ordinance,” said councilman Scott Olson. “I’m very pleased we’ve gotten to this point.”

Planning board member Michael Walsh described the ordinance as “one stop shopping,” due to the details it encompasses. While in the past, the ordinances were not organized into one document.

In terms of the document content itself, Walsh added, “I don’t think it’s much more restrictive or much less restrictive.”

George Shivas, chairman of the planning board, said it’s a living document and can be changed at any time.

One of the challenges for businesses on the Rt. 206 206 corridor has been the ongoing construction, with many businesses hosting more signage in order to overcome the hurdles that the road renovations created.

In turn, some signs have been out of compliance with township code, in terms of the amount of signs per property, as well as the types of signs, in some cases. The zoning officer focused on other issues during the construction and now the time has come to address the violations. However, it will be a process and currently the zoning officer position is vacant.

Township manager Joseph Sabatini and Mayor James Oscovitch said that until that position is filled, it would be up to those working with the township to keep an eye out for violations.

Some of the major issues include signs and banners, some which may be obstructing the roadway, and another the sandwich boards.

Sandwich boards usage and types were a lengthy part of discussion. Many businesses have begun implementing sandwich boards, a temporary way to advertise, as a more permanent type of signage. The boards have not been consistent in size, with some small and other massive pieces of plywood. Some are handwritten while others use uniform lettering. The township would like these signs standardized for safety and consistency.

One potential for businesses that use sandwich board type of signage, is for the business to apply for a no-cost monthly permit at the municipal building.

Deputy Mayor David Gray said that clarity in the way permitted signage is defined is important for safety reasons as well as aesthetics. In terms of the sandwich boards, he suggested Vernon Township as an example for the parameters Vernon uses in the allowance of sandwich boards signs.

With concerns of potentially holding up the ordinance further due to the refinement of the sandwich board sign section, the municipality’s attorney Thomas Collins suggested finalizing the ordinance and later updating the section on sandwich boards.

Members of the economic development committee Nancy Eisenberg and Vic Pocorobba spoke with the group about the ways to help transition business owners to the new sign ordinance, while keeping the climate in Byram Township business friendly. On the viewpoint of some businesses, Eisenberg said, some businesses express that they feel the town is always "saying no.” She said if the process becomes too restrictive, it could potentially magnify the negativity.

Planning board member John Morytko described the effort as an opportunity to work with businesses and support them.

Councilwoman Marie Raffay cited Chester’s downtown as an example of a vibrant town center with a strict sign ordinance. However, it still works, she said, because of the town’s sensitivity toward the businesses owners and because the regulations are clear there, which assists businesses.

The process to transition businesses to the new ordinance, once it takes effect, will be a guiding one. Sabatini suggested once the ordinance is approved to send out a cover letter to businesses with the ordinance attached. The businesses will have adequate time to clean up any temporary violations.

He said the township is additionally willing to work with businesses to transition them and that some have special concerns for their signage, such as one business that must advertise products at the store for a vendor that they work with. Another business example, Sabatini said, uses seasonal signage, for which he proposed the potential of a permanent sign that can have the message changed based on the promotion and time of year.

Councilwoman Nisha Kash inquired about the signage for chain stores in town, which Gleitz explained that while the corporate headquarters mandate particular signage that may not comply with the township’s ordinances, the township and the businesses reach agreements that still fits within the township’s regulations while allowing the businesses to participate in their promotions.

Gleitz suggested that a best sign contest could be implemented for businesses as they transition to the new ordinance.

GlSabatini said the ordinance could be introduced at the next council meeting on Feb. 17. Once the ordinance is up for adoption, businesses that have questions or concerns could come to the public hearing to address them before the ordinance’s final approval.