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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-21 Subsequent Town Meeting MinutesSUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:50 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said by all in attendance. Motion made by John Halsey, Board of Selectmen to dispense of the reading of the warrant including all motions in their entirety. Motion Carried ARTICLE 27: Motion made by the Community Planning and Devolvement Committee to amend the Zoning Bylaw by: (1) Inserting into Section 2.0, in appropriate alphabetical order, the following: Special Home Occupation: A business use conducted within a dwelling unit, or within an accessory structure on a residential property, that is accessory to the primary residential use; provided, however, that not more than one non-resident of the dwelling unit or residential property, exclusive of residents of the dwelling unit or residential property, is employed on the premises. (2) Inserting into the Table of Uses for Residence Districts, set forth in Section 5.3.2, after the entries for "Home Occupation," the following: ACCESSORY USES RES RES RES PRD -G PUD -R S-15 A-40 A-80 PRD -M 5-20 S-40 Special Home Occupation SPP SPP SPP SPP SPP (3) Inserting a new Section 5.6.7 as follows: 5.6.7 Special Home Occupation The CPDC may, by Special Permit, authorize a Special Home Occupation within a dwelling unit or within an accessory structure on a residential property provided that: a. Not more than one non-resident of the dwelling unit or residential property, exclusive of residents of the dwelling unit or residential property, is employed on the premises; b. There is no exterior indication that the dwelling is used for anything other than residential purposes, except for signs, and commercial vehicles, as may be approved by the CPDC; c. Storage of any equipment used for the home occupation must be within a permanent structure, such as a garage or a shed; d. Off-street parking for the dwelling and home occupation is provided and the CPDC finds the number of vehicles on the premises at any one time and number of vehicle trips per day, exclusive of the residents' vehicles and trips per day, are consistent with the residential character of the property; and The home occupation is customarily incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use of the premises. 11 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 As determined by the CPDC, additional landscaping and fencing may be required to provide visual and auditory protection to adjacent properties and areas viewed from the public way. The CPDC reserves the right to issue a Special Permit for a Special Home Occupation for (one) year, and to deny renewal of such Special Permit if substantiated complaints are made regarding the use to the Public Safety Officer or Public Services Office within that one (1) year period; or take any other action with respect thereto. Background: Article 27 is an amendment to Section 2.0 of the Zoning Bylaw, Definitions, and Section 5.3.2 of the Zoning Bylaw, Table of Uses for Residence Districts, and the addition of Section 5.6.7 to the Zoning Bylaw, Special Home Occupation, Article 27 creates a new definition and use, Special Home Occupation, as well as special permit criteria. This Article allows a Special Home Occupation as an accessory use through a Special Permit from the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC). The current Zoning Bylaw allows Home Occupation by -right in Residence Districts, and defines it as "a business use conducted within a dwelling unit that is accessory to the primary residential use and carried on by a resident of the dwelling unit." The primary difference between a Home Occupation and a Special Home Occupation is that the Special Home Occupation provides a formal process through which a resident can operate a business from their home AND have one non-resident employee and the added Special Permit process by CPDC will ensure that the use is fully vetted. Presentation given by: • Nicholas Safina — See Attached Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Finance Committee: No Report Community Planning and Development Committee Report — given by Nicholas Safina: On Monday, July 11, 2016, the CPDC convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed Article 27. All documents were made available on the town website. The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for comment and to determine whether the provisions of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment shall be adopted by the Town. The July 11, 2016 public hearing was opened at approximately 8:30 PM Any comments received at the hearing were included as part of the record of the hearing. The public hearing was continued to Monday, August 8, 2016 at 8:30 PM to allow time for further discussion and public input. On August 8, 2016 the hearing was closed. The CPDC voted 3-0-0 to recommend Article 27 to Town Meeting. After some Discussion it was voted 2/3rds Vote Required 127 Voted in the affirmative 3 Voted in the negative 140 Town Meeting Members in Attendance 21 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center Motion Carried November 21, 2016 ARTICLE 28: Motion made by Community Planning and Development Committee to amend the Zoning Bylaw by deleting Section 5.4.7.3.b thereof in its entirety, and inserting, in place thereof, the following: b An Accessory Apartment shall have a gross floor area not to exceed the lesser of 1000 square feet or one-third of the gross floor area of the Principal Single -Family Dwelling on the lot, exclusive of any garage, unfinished basement, shed or other accessory structure thereon. or take any other action with respect thereto. Background: Article 28 is an amendment to the Accessory Apartments Performance Standards, Section 5.4.7.3(b), of the Zoning Bylaw. Article 28 removes the reference to net floor area, and increases the maximum floor area of an accessory apartment from 750 net square feet to 1000 gross square feet. Currently Section 5.4.7.3(b) references both net floor area and gross floor area in the same provision, which makes the bylaw confusing for both applicants and staff. The increase in permitted floor area is proposed in part to enable spaces large enough to accommodate the accessibility needs of an aging population. However, the provision included in the current bylaw as well as in Article 28, is that an accessory apartment must be no greater than one-third of the gross floor area of the Principal Single - Family Dwelling as a measure of control over the size of the accessory unit so that it does not change the character of the structure to be more like a Two -Family Dwelling. Presentation given by: • Nicholas Safina - See Attached Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Community Planning and Development Committee Report - given by Nicholas Safina• On Monday, July 11, 2016, the CPDC convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed Article 28. All documents were made available on the town website. The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for comment and to determine whether the provisions of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment shall be adopted by the Town. The July 11, 2016 public hearing was opened at approximately 8:30 p.m. Any comments received at the hearing were included as part of the record of the hearing. The public hearing was continued to Monday, August 8, 2016 at 8:30 p.m. to allow time for further discussion and public input. On August 8, 2016 the hearing was closed. The CPDC voted 3-0-0 to recommend Article 28 to Town Meeting. Motion made by Ronald D'Addario, Precinct 6 to amend as follows: 31 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 b An Accessory Apartment shall have a gross floor area not to exceed the lesser of 1000 square feet or one-third of the gross floor area of the Principal Single -Family Dwelling on the lot, exclusive of any garage, unfinished basement, shed or other accessory structure thereon provided, however that in any event an accessory apartment may have a gross floor area of at least 600 square feet. Motion Does Not Carry After some Discussion it was voted 2/3rds Vote Required 132 Voted in the affirmative 2 Voted in the negative 140 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ARTICLE 29 Motion made by Community Planning and Development Committee to amend the Zoning Bylaw by deleting Section 5.5.1 thereof in its entirety, and inserting, in place thereof, the following: 5.5.1 Permitted Accessory Buildings or Structures The following requirements shall apply to any accessory buildings or structures permitted in accordance with the Tables of Uses (Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2): 5.5.1.1 General Provisions a. An accessory building or structure shall not be permitted within a Required Front Yard, with the exception of flagpoles and fences. b. Flagpoles of a height less than 20 feet and fences shall be exempt from the front, side and rear yard requirements set forth in Section 6.0. A building permit shall be required for a flagpole exceeding 20 feet or a fence exceeding six feet in height. c. Accessory buildings may be used for Accessory Apartments only as permitted by Section 5.4.7. d. Any accessory building or structure, including a garage that is less than 10 feet from a principal structure on the lot shall be considered "attached to" the principal structure, and shall be subject to the dimensional limits and requirements applicable to a principal structure. e. Non-residential accessory structures, including vending machines, automated teller machines (ATMs), and electronic game kiosks shall be required to meet the front, side and rear yard requirements for a principal structure in the same zoning district, except as may be authorized by Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. f. An accessory building or structure that is not an Accessory Apartment may have a footprint that is either 600 square feet or 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is greater. g. Accessory structures, other than garages and structures used for storage shall be exempt from lot coverage requirements. 5.5.1.2 Garages a. All garages shall be subject to lot coverage requirements. 41 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 b. Any garage that conforms to the Required Side Yard and Required Rear Yard setbacks for a principal structure in the same zoning district shall be permitted up to the maximum height permitted for a principal structure in the same zoning district; c. Any detached garage in a residential district or accessory to a single or two-family dwelling in a non-residential district may be located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard, but shall be no less than five feet from the nearest side or rear lot line, and shall occupy no more than 25% of the Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard Area. d. Detached garages located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard: i. shall have a slab to top plate height no greater than nine feet; ii. shall not have dormers or windows on the sides of the roof; and iii. shall not have a full staircase. 5.5.1.3 Home Recreational Facilities A swimming pool, tennis court, sports court, or similar home recreational facility shall be permitted at any size, provided that it conforms to the Required Side Yard and Required Rear Yard setbacks for a principal structure in the same zoning district. A Home Recreational Facility may be located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard setback; provided, however, that it shall be no larger than the greater of 600 square feet or 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure. 5.5.1.4 Other Accessory Buildings or Structures Within Required Side Yards or Required Rear Yards a. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.5.1, Accessory Buildings or Structures within Required Side Yards or Required Rear Yards shall be limited to one story, or less than 12 feet in height. b. Any accessory building or structure in a residence district or accessory to a single or two-family dwelling in a non-residential district may be located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard, but shall be no less than five feet from the nearest rear or side lot line, and shall occupy no more than 25% of the Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard area. 5.5.1.5 Special Permit A Special Permit from the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) may be granted: a. For the following uses in all districts, provided that all Required Front Yard, Required Side Yard and Required Rear Yard setbacks are met, or that the CPDC can reasonably determine that relief from one or more setbacks is warranted and will not be detrimental to abutting properties or to the neighborhood: i. A truck trailer used for storage or advertising; ii. A stand-alone shipping or storage container; iii. A steel storage unit. b. In residence districts, for a temporary storage unit that will be on a property for more than 30 days, provided that all front, side and rear yard setbacks are met. or take any other action with respect thereto. Background: Article 29 is an amendment to Section 5.5 of the Zoning Bylaw, Accessory Buildings or Structures. Article 29 intends to clarify Section 5.5 by separating categories of accessory buildings and structures into their own subheadings, and by adding specific regulations for each category. Presentation given by: • Nicholas Safina — See Attached 51 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 21, 2016 Preforming Arts Center Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Community Plannina and Delvelpment Committee Report — given by Nicholas Safina: On Monday, July 11, 2016, the CPDC convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed Article 29. All documents were made available on the town website. The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for comment and to determine whether the provisions of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment shall be adopted by the Town. The July 11, 2016 public hearing was opened at approximately 8:30 PM Any comments received at the hearing were included as part of the record of the hearing. The public hearing was continued to Monday, August 8, 2016 at 8:30 PM and again to Monday, August 22, 2016 at 9:00 PM to allow time for further discussion and public input. On August 22, 2016 the hearing was closed. The CPDC voted 4-0-0 to recommend Article 29 to Town Meeting. Motion made by Nancy Twomey, Precinct 3 to amend as follows: b Any garage that conforms to the Required Side Yard and Required Rear Yard setbacks for a principal structure in the same zoning district shall be permitted up to the maximum height permitted for a principal structure in the same zoning district; provided however that such garage shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 5.5.1.1.f Motion Does Not Carry Motion made by John Sasso, Precinct 2 to amend as follows: 5.5.1.3 Home Recreational Facilities A swimming pool, tennis court, sports court, or similar home recreational facility shall be permitted at any size, provided that it is not located in eeRfeFffise the Required Side Yard and Required Rear Yard setbacks for a principal structure in the same zoning district. A Home Recreational Facility may be located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard setback; provided, however, that it shall be no larger than the greater of 600 square feet or 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure. Motion Carries Motion made by Gary Phillips, Precinct 7 to amend as follows: 5.5.1.2 Garages d Detached garages located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard: i. shall have a slab to top plate height no greater than nine feet; 61 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 21, 2016 Preforming Arts Center iii. shall not have a full staircase. Motion Does Not Carry Motion made by Gary Phillips, Precinct 7 to amend as follows: 5.5.1.3 Garages d Detached garages located within a Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard: i shall have a slab to top plate height no greater than nine feet; ii shall not have dormers or windows on the sides of the roof; and Motion Does Not Carry Motion made by Bruce Mackenzie, Precinct 8 to amend as follows: f The footprint of aAn accessory building or structure that is not an Accessory Apartment may have a feetpF'At that is eithef shall not exceed 600 square feet or 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is greater. Motion Carries After some Discussion it was voted 2/3rds Vote Required 137 Voted in the affirmative 0 Voted in the negative 140 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried as Amended ARTICLE 30: Motion made by Community Planning and Development to amend the Zoning Bylaw by deleting Section 6.2.1 thereof in its entirety, and inserting, in place thereof, the following: 6.2.1 Lot Shape 6.2.1.1 Minimum Lot Width Specified Any newly created lot in a Residential District for which a minimum lot width is specified shall satisfy the following requirements: a Each lot shall have, in addition to the required frontage, the required minimum lot width at all points between the required frontage and the nearest point on the front wall of any dwelling on such lot; and b The angles formed by the intersection of the side lot lines and the right-of-way providing the minimum frontage shall not be less than 45 degrees. 6.2.1.2 Minimum Lot Width Not Specified 71 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 21, 2016 Preforming Arts Center Any newly created lot in any Zoning District for which a minimum lot width is not specified shall satisfy the following requirement: The angles formed by the intersection of the side lot lines and the right-of-way providing the minimum frontage shall not be less than 45 degrees or take any other action with respect thereto. Presentation given by: • Nicholas Safina — See Attached Background: Article 30 is an amendment to Section 6.2.1 of the Zoning Bylaw, Lot Shape. Article 30 intends to make the regulation of lot shape more straightforward by removing the calculation. Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Community Planning and Delvelpment Committee Report — given by Nicholas Safina: On Monday, July 11, 2016, the CPDC convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed Article 30. All documents were made available on the town website. The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for comment and to determine whether the provisions of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment shall be adopted by the Town. The July 11, 2016 public hearing was opened at approximately 8:30 PM Any comments received at the hearing were included as part of the record of the hearing. The public hearing was continued to Monday, August 8, 2016 at 8:30 PM to allow time for further discussion and public input. On August 8, 2016 the hearing was closed. The CPDC voted 3-0-0 to recommend Article 30 to Town Meeting. After some Discussion it was voted 2/3rds Vote Required 134 Voted in the affirmative 0 Voted in the negative 140 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ARTICLE 31: Motion made by Community Planning and Development to amend the Zoning Bylaw by deleting Section 8.0 thereof in its entirety, and inserting, in place thereof, the following: 8.0 SIGN REGULATIONS 8.1 The sign regulations contained herein are intended to: 1) facilitate efficient communication; 2) avoid conflict between signs and other features of the streetscape; 3) support economic vitality and opportunity; and 4) encourage compatibility and harmony with surrounding buildings, land and land uses. 81 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 21, 2016 Preforming Arts Center 8.1.1 Applicability Within the territorial borders of the Town, a sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained only in conformity with the provisions of this Section. Where required, permits for signs are issued by the Building Inspector. 8.2 91 Page 8.1.2 Permit Required No person shall construct, place, erect, display, alter, repair, or relocate a sign, unless exempted by this Section without a valid sign permit issued pursuant to this bylaw. 8.1.3 Zoning Districts Signage is regulated according to zoning district. Zoning Districts are established in Section 3.1. The zoning districts are as shown on the official zoning map which is on file with the Town Engineer. Note that Reading has adopted a Downtown Smart Growth District (DSGD) and a Gateway Smart Growth District (GSGD). Refer to Section 10.5 for DSGD regulations and Section 10.4 for GSGD regulations. For information about signage permitted within a Planned Unit Development (PUD -I or PUD -B), and a Planned Residential Development (PRD), refer to Section 11.0. 8.1.4 Navigating the Sign Bylaw Any person wishing to construct, place, erect, display, alter, repair or relocate a sign is advised to adhere to the following process: 1. Determine the zoning district of the property containing or to contain such sign (see Zoning Map or Town of Reading online GIS mapping system); 2. Determine the sign regulations within that zoning district (see Table 8.6); 3. Consult with the Town's Community Development Director; 4. Submit a Sign Permit Application to the Building Inspector. Definitions For the purposes of Section 8.0, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them: A -Frame or Sandwich Board Sign: A portable sign that can stand upright without additional supports. Animated Sign: A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations that change or are rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign or signboard, on a continuous or periodic basis, more than eight times per day. Awning or Canopy Sign: A sign painted on or attached to the cloth, canvas or metal cover of a fixed, hinged, rolled or folding type of awning or canopy. Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center 101 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING cm's � 10WEI _� awning November 21, 2016 awning sign a a a c nopy r.L�F canopy sign Banner or Pennant: Any sign of flexible lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted or affixed at one or more edges. Beacon: A stationary or revolving light, not primarily illuminating a sign, which flashes or projects illumination, single color or multi -colored, in any manner which is intended to attract or divert attention, except any such fixture which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration or a similar agency, and is installed and operated under the safety regulations of such agency. Billboard: A large, off -premises, outdoor board for displaying advertisements that are either static or animated, and which is subject to regulation by the Office of Outdoor Advertising of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Bulletin Board: A permanent non -electronic sign that is located on property that is owned or operated by a charitable, educational, or religious institution or a public body for posting temporary signs. Electric Sign: Any sign containing electric wiring. This does not include signs illuminated by an exterior light source. Electronic Sign: A sign that changes its message or copy at intervals by digital, electronic or mechanical processes, by remote control or other programming device. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use. Any moving illuminated sign shall be considered a flashing sign. Fagade: The face of a building, typically the principal or front wall. Feather Banner or Wind Flag: A temporary sign of flexible, lightweight fabric or similar material that is supported along one edge and mounted to a ground base or staked in the ground and intended to blow in the wind to attract attention. Also called a Wind Flag. Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center 111 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING 1111 if Example of Feather Banner or Wind Flag November 21, 2016 Free -Standing Sign: A permanent sign erected and maintained on a freestanding frame, mast or pole not attached to any building. Sign [S�IgnSign rmcrTexr Sign n FS_1g_n7 Sign - ,�cr,�cr Tar i n $igf\1 Common Free -Standing Sign Types Government Sign: A sign that is constructed, placed or maintained by the Federal, State, or Local government or a sign that is required to be constructed, placed or maintained by the Federal, State, or Town government either directly or to enforce a property owner's rights. i. Traffic control signs and/or devices; ii. Numerals that identify the address of a property; iii. Fuel pump information signs; iv. A flag adopted by the Federal government, this State or the Town of Reading. Halo Lighting: A form of internal illumination in which light is only emitted from the back of or from within a letter or graphic shape out towards the surface on which the letter or graphic is mounted without having any light visible through the face or sides of the letter or graphic. Identification Sign: A sign that contains areas that are made available for use by the individual structures or commercial uses operating on the same lot. Illuminated Sign: A sign characterized by the use of artificial light projecting through the letters or graphics of an opaque sign surface(s) [Internally Illuminated], or reflecting off of the sign surface(s) [Externally Illuminated]. SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 Instructional or Directional Signage: A Sign that is required by a state or local permit or approval for the safe flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or otherwise to protect public safety, health and the environment. Marquee: A canopy or covering structure projecting from and attached to a building and bearing a signboard or copy. Marquee Sign: Any sign attached to or made part of a marquee. Off -Premises Sign: Any sign which directs attention to goods, products, services or commercial uses which are not sold, manufactured or distributed on or from the premises, facility or site on which the sign is located, including any billboard, signs affixed to vehicles, Animated Sign or Electronic Sign on which display space may or may not be leased or rented. Original Art Display: A work of fine art that is displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise with the permission of the property owner, but for which the commercial enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain. An original art display does not include: mechanically produced or computer generated prints or images, including but not limited to digitally printed vinyl; electrical or mechanical components; or changing image art display. Portable Sign: Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or any permanent structure, or any sign primarily designed to be transported in any way, regardless of modifications that limit its movability, including signs converted to "A" or "T" frames and/or menu and sandwich -board signs. Projecting or Blade Sign: A sign that is affixed to a building or other structure where the sign face is approximately perpendicular to the building facade. jrJ Reader Board or Menu Board: A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the 121 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 sign or signboard. A sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall be considered an Animated or Electronic sign. Roof Line: the underside of the eave of a peaked roof or, in the case of an extended fagade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet. Sloping Roof AWN HOOF Flat Roof Mansard Roof Sign: A name, identification, description, display or illustration, which is affixed to, painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, or other outdoor surface which directs attention to or is designed or intended to direct attention to the signboard or to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business and where sign area means the space enclosed within the extreme edges of the sign for each face, not including the supporting structure or where attached directly to a building wall or surface, the outline enclosing all the characters of the word. Signs located completely within an enclosed building, and not exposed to view from a street, shall not be considered a sign for the purposes of the bylaw herein. Each display surface of a sign or signboard shall be considered to be a sign. Sign Area: The area contained entirely within the signboard or if no signboard is present, the area contained entirely within the smallest rectangle that completely encloses the outer extremities of all graphic material of a sign. 131 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 21, 2016 Preforming Arts Center WIDTH +j jam— WIDTH IF– - --- Signboard, with Text 'NAM Graphics r ----- r Text and, T xt and Graphics,LU L _ - - _ _ _ j LL - - -Gra - 11 Examples of Sign Area Signboard: The surface of durable material upon which letters or other graphic content of a sign is displayed. Sign Height: The distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign or sign structure. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of: 1 Existing grade prior to construction (a), or 2 The newly established grade after construction (b), exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign (c). In cases in which the normal grade cannot be reasonably determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the normal grade is the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of the public street (d) along which the lot has frontage or the grade of the land at the principal entrance (e) to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower. 141 Page Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center r—NEW GRADE EXISTING GRADE IN I L—EXISTING GRADE NEW GRADE M - ca z PL BERM z c� 000 o n 151 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 21, 2016 SIGN HEIGHT SWALE ESTABLISHED NORMAL GRADE T RADE AT PRINCIPAL ENTRANCE CONDITION (a) CONDITION (b) 5= ca w Z c� CONDITION (c) CONDITION (d) CROWN OF PUBLIC STREET CONDITION (e) SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 Temporary Sign: An unlit banner, pennant, poster or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard, plywood or other like materials and that is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. Wall -Mounted Sign: A sign affixed directly to or painted on or otherwise inscribed on an exterior wall and confined within the limits thereof of any building and which projects from that surface less than twelve (12) inches at all points. ILLUMINATED C� painted-i graphics ®"9 = • •IT I Examples of Wall -Mounted Signs 8.3 Authorized Signs Signs for which no sign permit is required are identified in Table 8.6 and Section 8.3 herein. The following signs are authorized in every district and may be installed upon receipt of a building permit (as needed), and shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign size on a property, provided that the following is complied with: a Government signs in every zoning district that form the expression of the government when erected and maintained according to law. Such signs may be installed or required to be installed by the Town of Reading, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or Federal Agencies, or with the express written permission thereof, and shall include the following: L Traffic control devices on private or public property must be erected and maintained to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) adopted in this state and if not adopted by this state, with the MUTCD adopted by the Federal Highway Administration. ii. Each property owner must mark their property using numerals that identify the address of the property so that public safety departments can easily identify the address from the public street. The size and location of the identifying numerals and letters if any must be proportional to the size of the building and the distance from the street to the building. In cases where the building is not located within view of the public street, the identifier shall be located on the mailbox or other suitable device such that it is visible from the street. iii. Where a Federal, State, or Local law requires a property owner to post a sign on the owner's property to warn of a danger or to prohibit access to the property either generally or specifically, the owner must comply with the Federal, State or Local law to exercise that authority by posting a sign on the property. iv. A flag that has been adopted by the Federal government, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the Town of Reading may be displayed as provided under the law that adopts or regulates its use. b Instructional and Directional Signage that is unlit and either less than 1 square foot in area or required by government regulation or entity. c Signs on property occupied by religious or educational uses protected by M.G.L. Ch. 40A Section 3 (Dover Amendment). d Original Art Displays e Temporary Signs: Temporary signs are permitted in all zoning districts as follows: 161 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 1. Each privately -owned property in Town shall be allowed one (1) temporary sign that is no more than six (6) square feet in area. 2. In addition to the one (1) temporary sign, the following may be allowed: !On a site for which construction has not begun, but which has been issued a building or demolition permit or has an approved site plan, one (1) additional temporary sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area or 8 feet in any dimension may be displayed for a period of up to 1 year. Upon written request and approval of the CPDC the display period for a temporary Redevelopment sign may be extended. ii On a site that is under active construction, where a demolition or building permit has been issued and where at least site preparation work has commenced, one (1) additional temporary sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area or 8 feet in any dimension may be displayed for a period of up to 1 year. Temporary Construction signs shall be removed after the construction, repair or renovation work is completed or within 7 days after the issuance of a final occupancy permit. iii On a site for which a subdivision has been constructed and is for sale through a licensed real estate agent, by owner, or through advertising in a local newspaper of general circulation, one (1) additional temporary sign not exceeding 48 square feet in area or 8 feet in any dimension may be displayed. Temporary Real Estate signs for subdivisions shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the date on which a contract of sale has been executed. iv On a site that is for sale through a licensed real estate agent, by owner, or through advertising in a local newspaper of general circulation, one (1) additional temporary sign not exceeding six (6) square feet may be displayed. Temporary Real Estate signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the date on which a contract of sale has been executed. v On a day when a property owner is opening the property to the public, signs not exceeding four (4) square feet each, may be placed at a rate of one (1) sign per intersection per property and one (1) additional sign on the open house property. vi For up to seven (7) days before and three (3) days after a garage or yard sale, temporary signs not exceeding six (6) square feet may be displayed. Such signs shall be limited to one (1) additional sign on the property on which the garage or yard sale is taking place, and one (1) at each of no more than two intersections of public streets. vii For a period of time beginning 60 days before a Town of Reading municipal election, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts election, or a federal election, and ending two (2) days after the date of the election, there shall be no maximum number of temporary signs permitted. 3. In addition to flags that are authorized under Section 8.3.a.iv, one (1) flag shall be allowed. 8.4 Prohibited Signs, General The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts. See Section 8.5 Signs by Zoning District for specific prohibitions. a Privately -owned signs installed or placed on public property, except by express permission of the Town or as otherwise allowed herein. b Signs which interfere with traffic or pedestrian safety, including any which may obstruct traffic or pedestrian visibility or movement at any intersection, along any public sidewalk, into or out of any property, or which by reason of blinking, flashing, or animation by lighting in any fashion can cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance. c Signs placed or painted on any tree, rock, utility pole, traffic safety sign, or similar fixture; painted on any building wall, bench, pavement, parking bumper or curb, or other similar outdoor surface. 171 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 d Internally illuminated signs, unless the background or signboard completely blocks illumination or glow except through the letters and graphics. e Flashing signs and signs which contain a beacon of any type; which contain a spot light providing direct illumination to the public; which revolve, rotate, move, or blink, or which fluctuate in light intensity; and animated signs. f Any self -illuminated or backlit signs which use LCD, LED, electronic messaging or digital technology, neon or similar signs except as displayed on the inside of windows subject to the provisions of Subsection 8.5.1d. g Banners as permanent signs. h Reader Board Signs except as price displays at gas stations. i Balloons or tethered blimps used as signs, a movable poster or panel sign, umbrellas containing any commercial message; signs attached to or painted on vehicles travelling or parked on, or visible from any public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operation of a business. j Off -Premises Signs, with the exception of temporary signs. k Billboards Signs affixed on or above the roofline of a structure. m Wind Flags and Feather Banners n Signs that contain obscene matter. 8.5 Signs by Zoning District Signs are regulated by Zoning District as specified in Table 8.6 and as follows: 8.5.1 Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts The following signs are allowed in all Business and Industrial Zoning Districts. In addition, refer to Table 8.6. a During hours of operation, one (1) flag not exceeding four (4) feet by six (6) feet, with a minimum ground clearance of eight (8) feet over walkways, sidewalks and entrances of businesses. Ground clearance shall be defined as the distance between the lowest hanging portion or bottom of the flag and the grade directly below. b All awnings and canopies shall be impervious to light so that no illumination or glow can be seen through it. Awnings may contain letters up to four inches in height for a length not to exceed thirty-six inches without requiring a sign permit. Such lettering shall not count toward allowed sign area. All other awnings or canopies with lettering or graphics shall require a sign permit and count as part of the allowed sign area. All awnings and canopies shall have a minimum ground clearance of eight feet. Ground clearance shall be measured between the lowest point of the awning or canopy and the ground or sidewalk. c Bulletin boards are allowed, provided that no free-standing or wall -mounted bulletin board may exceed twelve square feet in size. d Window Signs: Permanently affixed, weather resistant, individual letters that are not subject to wear and tear are permitted on the exterior of the window. Window Signs on the inside surface of the glass are encouraged. Temporary or permanent signs may without permit be attached to the inside of the glass surface of a window (a single structurally supported sheet of glass or a sash) or door, or placed within the premises within five feet of any window or door and situated or designed so that the sign's graphic content is visible from the outside through a window or door, provided that any such sign shall: 1 Be uniformly located only in thirty percent (30%) of the glass sheet or sash; 2 Contain no letters larger than eight (8) inches in height; 3 Be neat and professional in appearance and be maintained at all times; 4 Have a sign area not to exceed six (6) square feet if the sign is not illuminated; 181 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 5 In addition to the above, any illuminated sign shall be placed only in a window, and not in a door, and shall also: a Have a sign area not to exceed four (4) square feet; b Be placed no closer than ten feet from any other internally illuminated window sign on the premises. In cases where there is a door or other architectural break in the fagade this buffer shall be reduced to seven (7) feet; c Be placed only in a window that contains no other signs of any type; and be illuminated only during hours of operation of the business establishment. d Be allowed in conformity with the Subsection 8.5.1e below. e Instructional and directional signs are allowed provided that such signs shall be limited to wall and free-standing signs with a maximum sign area of four square feet per sign. One such sign, not exceeding six (6) feet in height, may be placed at each vehicular entrance or exit on a lot provided such sign does not constitute a traffic hazard; such signs shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign size on a property. One such sign, not exceeding six feet in height and four square feet of sign area, may be placed in conjunction with each drive -up bank teller window or machine provided that such sign shall not constitute a traffic hazard. f Marquee signs are prohibited except when displayed on a property housing a legally permitted indoor movie theater and attached to the marquee of the building, provided that the size of the marquee sign shall not exceed twenty- four (24) square feet, and the bottom of the marquee sign shall not be of a height of less than 8 feet above the grade directly below. g Menu boards are prohibited except: • With an A -Frame sign permit issued by the Board of Selectmen. • When located on a lot containing a restaurant having a drive up window: no more than three menu boards are allowed; the maximum aggregate sign area is 100 square feet; no one menu board may exceed 50 square feet; and the illumination shall not project beyond the property line. e Temporary signs located on a lot containing a business that is sponsoring an opening or re -opening, open house, a special sale or a promotional event, are allowed, provided that: • All temporary signs shall have received a sign permit from the Building Inspector; • The individual business shall place no more than four (4) such signs per calendar year for an annual total of 56 days (except in conjunction with an organized common special event as specified below); • No such sign shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in sign area or thirty (30) square feet in sign area for businesses that have a setback more than fifty (50) feet from the primary street upon which the business is located; • Only one sign for each sponsored opening or reopening per business until the property undergoes a change of use or change of ownership. • In cases where renovation or construction includes removal of permanent signs, a temporary sign is allowed as follows: • Dimensions shall be the same as allowed for temporary signs • May remain during construction provided the construction or renovation is expeditiously pursued • Must be removed upon the installation of the permanent sign • No such sign shall be placed so as to constitute a hazard to motorists or pedestrians; 191 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 • If placed upon a window, any such sign shall be included in the aggregate window area specified in Paragraph 8.5.1d above. • A temporary sign may be used as a permanent sign if it meets the requirements for a permanent sign in the zoning district in which it is located. • In the case of common special events organized by a recognized association of businesses for which a license or Civic Function Permit has been granted by the Board of Selectmen, an individual participating business may display a temporary sign. • Non -illuminated temporary balloons and streamers are allowed provided that they are mounted in a way that does not pose a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic and sight lines as determined by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. • Banners are allowed only as temporary signs four times a year for an annual total of 56 days with a sign permit. f Farm Stands and Garden Stands which do not have permanent windows shall be allowed, without permit or limitation as to number or material, to display temporary signs identifying goods offered for sale on the premises, provided that such signs are kept in good order and that the aggregate total sign area of all such signs on a lot shall not exceed one square -foot per lineal feet of frontage of such lot. g Clocks, not to exceed eight square feet in surface area per side or twelve feet in height, are allowed. h Clocks and thermometers may be included in any free-standing or wall sign, and no more than twelve additional square feet of sign area may be added to the otherwise allowable sign area of such sign. 8.5.1.1 Master Signage Plan In all Business and Industrial Zoning Districts, where a commercial building contains more than one business requiring wall signage, the building owner may submit for approval to the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC), a Master Signage Plan. At the owner's discretion, not every business within the building need be provided with a wall sign within the proposed assemblage. So as to provide for a change in business occupancy that may occur within the building, the CPDC will not consider the content of any individual sign contained within the Master Signage Plan. The Master Signage Plan shall show the size, placement, materials, framing, graphic and design standards for each sign and the assemblage thereof proposed within said allowable maximum sign area, together with proposed lighting and methods of attachment of all such signs. Once the Master Signage Plan has been approved by the CPDC, the Building Inspector may issue a sign permit for any individual business sign if it conforms to the Master Signage Plan. 8.5.2 Signs in Business -A Zoning Districts Refer to Table 8.6 for additional regulations relating to signs in the Business A Zoning Districts. Allowed Signs • Free -Standing • Wall -Mounted • Projecting 201 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 21, 2016 Preforming Arts Center • Internally or Externally illuminated Prohibited Signs — Specific to Business A (see also Section 8.4) • Single -tenant buildings or lots are not allowed to have both a free- standing sign and a wall -mounted sign • A Frame and Sandwich Board signs Special Regulations A lot or building which contains only one establishment shall be allowed one free- standing sign OR one wall -mounted sign OR one projecting sign only. A lot or building that contains more than one establishment shall be allowed a maximum of the following signs, all of which shall in every respect conform to the requirements of this Section: a One free-standing Identification Sign, and b One additional Identification Sign not to exceed four (4) square feet in sign area, not to exceed eight (8) feet in height, and not located within a Required Front, Required Side, or Required Rear yard as delineated in Subsection 6.0, and c One wall -mounted or projecting sign per business occupying the ground floor and front wall of the building, except in cases where a Master Signage Plan allowing additional signage has been approved. All internally -illuminated signs shall have a background or signboard that completely blocks illumination or glow such that light is only visible through the letters and graphics. All illuminated signs shall be turned off at the close of business. 8.5.3 Signs in Business -13 Zoning Districts All permanent signs in the Business B Zoning District require a Certificate of Appropriateness (Subsection 8.5.3.1). Refer to Table 8.6 for additional regulations relating to signs in the Business B Zoning Districts. Allowed Signs • Wall -Mounted • Projecting • Awning • Externally Illuminated • Halo -Lit • A -Frame and Sandwich Board signs are permitted, but only upon receipt of an annual permit from the Board of Selectmen. Prohibited Signs — Specific to Business B (see also Section 8.4) • Free -Standing (except as permitted at service stations or by special permit) • Internally Illuminated • Reader Board Special Regulations A lot or building which contains more than one business, may be granted a Certificate of Appropriateness for more than one sign and a maximum of the following signs: a A business occupying the ground floor is allowed two (2) signs if one sign is a wall -mounted sign and the second one is a projecting / blade sign, an awning sign, or a wall -mounted sign located on a different building fagade than the first wall -mounted sign. 211 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 The allowable sign area for the primary sign is equal to 2 square feet per linear foot of the portion of the wall of the building occupied by the establishment to which the sign relates in accordance with Table 8.6. The secondary sign area shall not exceed half of the sign area allowed for the primary sign. b Signage for businesses occupying the second floor may be allowed per a Master Signage Plan submitted for review and approval by the CPDC in accordance with Subsection 8.5.1.1 above. c One Identification Sign is allowed provided the following conditions are met: • Shall be mounted on the building wall closest to the entrance • Shall not exceed four (4) square feet in sign area • Shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height • Shall not project beyond the property line 8.5.3.1 Certificate of Appropriateness: Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) The CPDC shall establish procedures for receiving and reviewing applications for signs in the Business B Zoning District, and for providing written decisions to the Building Inspector. The CPDC shall, in reviewing such applications, consider the design, arrangement, location, texture, materials, colors, lighting, and other visual characteristics of each proposed sign and its compatibility with its general surroundings with regard to the purposes outlined in Section 8.1. If the CPDC shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for any proposed sign, it shall state in writing the reasons therefore, with suggestions as to how the proposal may be modified so as to be approved. If the CPDC shall fail to issue or refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness within forty-five (45) days of the date of a completed application being submitted, the Certificate shall be deemed to have been issued. An appeal from any decision of the CPDC may be made within twenty days of such decision being filed with the Town Clerk, to the Board of Selectmen, who may uphold, modify or overrule the action of the CPDC and grant a Certificate of Appropriateness. In such cases where proposed signs are included as part of a Site Plan Review (Section 4.6) or an application for a PRD Special Permit (Section 11.2), a separate Certificate of Appropriateness shall not be required. 8.5.4 Signs in Business -C Zoning Districts Refer to Table 8.6 for additional regulations relating to signs in the Business C Zoning Districts. Signs allowed in Business C Zoning Districts are subject to the corresponding provisions of Paragraph 8.5.2 Signs in Business A Zoning Districts. Allowed Signs • Free -Standing • Wall Projecting Internally or Externally Illuminated signs 221 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 Prohibited Signs — Specific to Business C (see also Section 8.4) • Single -tenant buildings or lots are not allowed to have both a free- standing sign and a wall -mounted sign • A Frame and Sandwich Board signs Special Regulations A building located within eighteen hundred (1800) feet of the centerline of an Interstate Highway may have an additional wall sign to be displayed between the top course of windows and the parapet of such building provided that all the following apply: • The sign area shall not exceed fifty percent of the surface area described by the tops of such windows, the parapet, and the wall corners • Letters and logo contained in or constituting such sign shall not exceed eight feet in height • The lowest point of such sign shal the ground immediately below • Such sign shall not be illuminated and sunrise, and • Such sign shall be located on the highway. not be closer than 48 feet above between the hours of 11:00 p.m. building wall most directly facing said 8.5.5 Signs in Industrial Zoning Districts Refer to Table 8.6 for additional regulations relating to signs in the Industrial Zoning Districts. The allowed signs in the Industrial Zoning Districts should conform to the provisions of Section 8.5.4 for Signs in Business C Zoning Districts. Allowed Signs • Free -Standing • Wall Projecting Internally Illuminated Prohibited Signs — Specific to Industrial Zones (see also Section 8.4) • Single -tenant buildings or lots are not allowed to have both a free- standing sign and a wall -mounted sign • A Frame and Sandwich Board signs Special Regulations In conjunction with a PUD Special Permit granted in accordance with Section 11.1 of the Zoning Bylaw, the CPDC may allow modifications to any provision of this Section 8.0. The CPDC may allow one additional free-standing sign, not to exceed thirty-five feet in height or 144 square feet in sign area, in that portion of the PUD parcel's landscaped perimeter buffer area most closely adjacent to Route 128 but not closer than 500 feet from any other public street existing at the time of submission of a relevant Preliminary PUD Plan. 231 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.0 to the contrary, signs are allowed or permitted in a PUD only in accordance with Section 11.1.5.6. 8.5.6 Signs in Residential Zoning Districts Refer to Table 8.6 for additional regulations relating to signs in the Residential Zoning Districts. Allowed Signs • Wall Projecting Decorative banners or flags displayed on residential lots shall not be construed as signs for purposes of this bylaw. Prohibited Signs — Specific to Residential Zones (see also Section 8.4) • Internally Illuminated • Free -Standing (except as allowed by special permit) • A Frame and Sandwich Board signs Special Regulations In conjunction with a PRD Special Permit granted in accordance with Section 11.2, the CPDC may allow modifications to any provision of this Section 8.0. 8.5.6.1 Business or Commercial Signs in Residential Zoning Districts: Legal nonconforming business or commercial operations in any residential zoning district shall follow the Business B -Zoning District regulations as specified in Subsection 8.5.3 except that such signs shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet from any other lot and may be externally illuminated only during hours of operation. 8.5.7 Removal of Defunct Signs In the event a business, other than a seasonal business, ceases operations for a period of time in excess of thirty days, the sign owner or lessee, or the property owner, shall immediately remove all associated signage. If the sign conforms to the provisions of this Section, and if a permit has been requested within said thirty -day period for altering the same sign in conformity with this Section to identify a new business in the same location, such alteration shall be allowed. 8.5.8 Nonconforming Signs Should any nonconforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more than fifty percent of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Section 8.2. 8.5.9 Signs by Special Permit The CPDC may grant a Special Permit for a free-standing sign within the side setbacks identified in Table 8.6 or Table 6.3 if it finds that the sign complies with the purposes of Section 8.0, that abutting properties are not unreasonably impacted by the sign placement, and that the sign will have no detrimental impact on traffic and pedestrian safety. The CPDC may grant a Special Permit for a free-standing sign in the Business -B or Residential Zoning Districts if it finds that abutting properties are not unreasonably impacted by the sign placement, and that the sign will have no detrimental impact on traffic and pedestrian safety. The CPDC may consider the following when reviewing the Special Permit request: the character of the surrounding neighborhood; the principal use of the 241 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 property or business; the location of the parking; landscaping in the front yard setback; and the presence of other signs on the property. 8.6 Table of Si ns P ermitteu py.Loning visirict Dimensions Setbacks Sign Area Height Front Side Number Display Type Permit (SF) (feet) (feet) (feet) Period Req'd All Zoning Districts: Government Signs & N NA NA NA NA NA Flags Signs on Properties with N NA NA NA NA NA Uses Protected under M.G.L. Ch. 40A §3 Unlit Instructional Signs N 1 NA NA NA NA Unlit Identification Signs N 1 8(a) NA NA NA Original Art Displays N NA NA NA NA NA Temporary Signs, All Zoning Districts: First Temporary Sign N 6 NA NA NA 1/1-ot NA Site w/Active Building or Demo Permit or Site Plan N 32 (4x8) NA NA 20 +1/Lot 1 year (b) Approval Site w/Active Building or Demo Permit, Under Active Construction, N(i) 32 (4x8) NA NA 20 +1/Lot 1 year (b), Where Site Preparation (c) has Commenced Site having Subdivision +1/Subdivision or ANR Lots for Sale N(i) 48 (6x8) NA NA NA or ANR (d) Endorsement Site For Sale N i 6(h) 6 NA NA +1/Lot d Day of Open House N 4 NA NA NA +1/Lot & 1 day +1/intersection +1/Lot & +1 7 days Site w/Garage Sale N 6 NA NA NA for each of 2 before & 3 intersections days after Municipal, State or 60 days Federal Election N NA NA NA NA No Maximum before & 2 days after Other Flag N NA NA NA NA 1 NA Business -A, Business -C and Industrial Zoning Districts: Free -Standing Y 50(e) 20 0 20(k) 1/1-ot (m) Wall -Mounted Y 2/4(g) (a) NA 10 1/business (m) Projecting / Blade Y 8 (a)(j) NA 10 1/business (m) Banners and Pennants Y NA NA NA NA NA 56 days Temporary Flag Y 24 (4x6) Ground clearance of 8 feet 1/business Hours of reg uired. operation Temporary Business Sign Y 16 or 30 See Section 8.5.1e 4/year 56 days Special Event Sign Y NA See Section 8.5.1e I 4/year 1 14 days Awnings & Canopies N I Must be opaque. Letters may not exceed 4" in height or 36" in 251 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 Type Dimensions Setbacks Sign Permit Req'd Area (SF) Height (feet) Front (feet) Side (feet) Number Display Period length. Business -A, Business -C and Industrial Zoning Districts, Cont'd: Other Awnings & Canopies Y Letters greater than 4" in height will count toward sign area. Ground clearance of 8 feet required. Bulletin Boards N Maximum of 12 SF allowed. Window or Door Signs N See Section 8.5.1d Clocks May not exceed 8 SF per side or 12 feet in height. Clocks / Thermometers as part of sign May be included as part of a free-standing or wall -mounted sign. May not add more than 12 SF of additional area to sign. Farm/Garden Stand Sign I N See Section 8.5.1f Business -B Zoning Districts: A -Frame Y Regulated by the Board of Selectmen — Annual Permit Wall -Mounted Y 2(f) (a) 0 0 2/business Projecting / Blade Y 8 (a)(j) -4 0 1/business Free -Standing by SP SPP(I) 35(e) 10.5 0 20 1/Lot Free -Standing Service Stations only) Y 35 14 0 20 1/Lot Banners and Pennants Y NA NA NA NA NA 56 days Temporary Flag Y 24 (4x6) Ground clearance of 8 feet required. 1/businessHours of operation Temporary Business Sign Y 16 or 30 See Section 8.5.1e 4/year 56 days Special Event Sign Y NA See Section 8.5.1e 4/year 14 days Awnings & Canopies N Must be opaque. Letters may not exceed 4" in height or 36" in length. Other Awnings & Canopies Y Letters greater than 4" in height will count toward sign area. Ground clearance of 8 feet required. Bulletin Boards N Maximum of 12 SF allowed. Window or Door Signs N See Section 8.5.1d Clocks May not exceed 8 SF per side or 12 feet in height. Clocks / Thermometers as part of sign May be included as part of a free-standing or wall -mounted sign. May not add more than 12 SF of additional area to sign. Farm/Garden Stand Sign I N Total of all signs may not exceed 1 SF/linear foot of lot frontage. Residential Zoning Districts: Wall -Mounted & Projecting Signs See Section 8.5.6 Free -Standing by SP SPP No parameters specified. Banners or Flags N No parameters specified. Do not count towards sign area. Signs associated with Legal Business or Commercial Operations Shall comply with Business B Zoning District Sign regulations. Shall be set back at least 20' from adjacent lots. Shall be illuminated only during hours of operation. 261 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 NOTES: a No portion of such Sign shall extend higher than the bottom of the sills of the windows of the second floor of a building or higher than the lowest portion of the eaves or, in the case of a gabled wall, no higher than a line equal in Height to the lowest portion of the lower eave of any adjoining Building wall, whichever of the above is lowest. b With the approval of the CPDC, such display period may be extended. c Such Sign shall be removed after the construction, repair, or renovation work is completed or within seven (7) days after the issuance of a final occupancy permit. d Signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the date on which the final contract of sale has been executed. e In cases where more than one business occupies a Lot, the Sign may be a maximum of 75 square feet in Sign Area. f If the facade on which the sign is mounted is less than 100 feet from the centerline of the street which the sign faces, the maximum sign area shall be equal to 2 square feet per linear foot of said fagade occupied by the establishment to which the sign relates; if such distance is more than 100 feet, the maximum sign area shall be equal to 4 square feet per linear foot of said fagade so occupied. g No Wall -Mounted Sign for a non-residential establishment shall exceed a Sign Area equal to 2 square feet per linear foot of length of the front Fagade of the Building occupied by the establishment to which the Sign relates. h On a site in an Industrial Zoning District that is advertised for sale or listed through a licensed real estate agent, one (1) additional Temporary Sign is allowed per business with a maximum Sign Area equal to 2 square feet per linear foot of the Building Fagade occupied by the business to which the Sign relates. Only as shown on a Plan approved by the CPDC. j Projecting/Blade Signs shall be at least eight (8) feet from the ground and may project no more than four (4) feet from the structure. k A Special Permit may be granted by the CPDC. Free -Standing Signs shall be permitted only where the principal business entrance is located more than 40 feet from the centerline of the street in front of the Lot. The CPDC may waive the 40' business entrance Setback requirement for Signs in existence as of the effective date of this amendment. See Subsection 8.5.9. m Single -tenant Buildings or Lots are not allowed to have both a Free -Standing Sign and a Wall -Mounted Sign. or take any other action with respect thereto. 271 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 Background: Article 31 is an amendment to Section 8.0 of the Zoning Bylaw, Signs. Article 31 is a recodification of the Sign Bylaw to bring it into compliance with a 2015 Supreme Court decision without substantially changing any of the regulations. In early 2016, Town Counsel cautioned the Town that the current Sign Bylaw is unconstitutional based on the 2015 Supreme Court decision in Reed v Town of Gilbert, 135 S.Ct.2218. In short, the Court ruled that regulating a sign based on its content or function is unconstitutional because doing so equates to government regulation of speech. Many provisions of the current Sign Bylaw are content -based: they attempt to regulate signs based on their communicative content. Therefore, the Sign Bylaw, if challenged in court, would almost certainly be struck down as unconstitutional. Recodifying the Sign Bylaw became a top priority for the CPDC, and they announced it at Town Meeting in April, at the June 21St Board of Selectmen meeting, and to the business community on June 28th. A Sign Working Group was established to spearhead the recodification process. The Sign Working Group held Open Public Meetings on March 28th, April 19th, May 3 d, May 16th, June 14th, and August 16th to prepare draft edits to the Sign Bylaw based on continuous feedback from Town Counsel. These drafts were discussed at many regularly scheduled CPDC meetings throughout 2016, and at the August 8th Public Hearing, which was continued on August 22nd The goal of recodification is to bring the language of the Sign Bylaw into conformance with the Supreme Court ruling without substantially changing any of the regulations. [Substantial changes to sign regulations will be considered at a future Town Meeting.] Presentation given by: Nicholas Safina - See Attached Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Community Planning and Delvelpment Committee Report - given by Nicholas Safina: On Monday, August 8, 2016, the CPDC convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed Article 31. All documents were made available on the town website. The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for comment and to determine whether the provisions of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment shall be adopted by the Town. The August 8, 2016 public hearing was opened at approximately 7:30 p.m. Any comments received at the hearing were included as part of the record of the hearing. The public hearing was continued to Monday, August 22, 2016 at 9:00 p.m. to allow time for further discussion and public input. On August 22, 2016 the hearing was closed. The CPDC voted 4-0-0 to recommend Article 31 to Town Meeting. Motion made by Megan Young, Precinct 4 to amend 8.2 as follows: Move StFikethFeuglTt text to 8.3.f and move the bold text to "n" within notes Sign: A name, identification, description, display or illustration, which is affixed to, painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, or other outdoor surface which directs attention to or is designed or intended to direct attention to the signboard or to an object, product, place, activity, person, 281 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center November 21, 2016 institution, organization or business edges ef the sign f-eF each , including the supporting structure or where attached directly to a building wall or surface. the outline enelesing all the ehaFaeteFS of the Signs located completely within an enclosed building, and not exposed to view from a street, shall not be considered a sign for the purposes of the bylaw Motion Does Not Carry Motion made by Jack Russell, Precinct 3 to amend 8.3.e.vii as follows: vii For a period of time beginning 60 days before a Town of Reading municipal election, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts election, or a federal election, and ending two (2) days after the date of the election., . Multiple signs each no more than 6 square feet are allowed. Municipal, N {SFA 6 NA NA NA No 60 days State or Maximum before & 2 Federal days after Election Motion Carried Motion made by Jonathan Barnes to amend 8.1 as follows 8.1 The sign regulations contained 2) avoid conflict between signs vitality and opportunity; and buildings, land and land uses; the community. Motion Carried After some Discussion it was voted Motion Carried as Amended herein are intended to: 1) facilitate efficient communication; and other features of the streetscape; 3) support economic 4) encourage compatibility and harmony with surrounding and enhance and protect the physical appearance of 2/3rds Vote Required 109 Voted in the affirmative 0 Voted in the negative 140 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Bill Brown, Precinct 8 moved to adjourn the 2016 Subsequent Town Meeting sine die at 10:21 PM with 140 Town Meeting Members in attendance. 291 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center Motion Carried A true copy Attest: G Laura A Gemme, CMMC Town Clerk 301 Page November 21, 2016