Coastal Point updates the continuing progress on the proposed changes to the Sussex County, DE sign ordinance.
At its Aug. 9 council meeting, the county council voted 5-0 to reintroduce a proposed ordinance to amend its code related to signs. Now they are providing the public with a second chance to give comment on recommended changes to the Sussex County sign regulations.
The council had originally introduced a proposed ordinance in April 2016. However, following comments from the public and the working group, there were concerns that the introduced ordinance was not a proper reflection of their recommendations.
That sentiment was strong enough, in fact, that Clear Channel Outdoor, Geyer Signs, Hocker Signs, Jack Lingo Realtors, J.D. Sign Company, Ocean Atlantic, Phillips Signs Inc., Premier Outdoor Media LLC, Rogers Sign Co. Inc. and Timmons Outdoor Advertising hired Georgetown attorney David Hutt of Morris, James, Wilson, Halbrook & Bayard LLP, who also served on the working group, to create an alternate ordinance.
The council has been reviewing the introduced ordinance, the alternate ordinance created by Hutt and recommendations made by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
The County plans to hold public hearings on the new proposed ordinance before the Planning & Zoning Commission on Sept. 8 and before the County Council on Sept. 20.
At the Aug. 9 meeting, the council also voted to extend the moratorium it had placed on off-premises sign applications.
Originally passed on Sept. 15, 2015, the moratorium ordinance states that the Sussex County Council “views the placement of off-premise signs as an important public-safety issue” and believes that “the recent proliferation of off-premise signs has a detrimental effect on the safety and welfare of the citizens of Sussex County.”
The moratorium was designed to put a hold on additional applications for signs until the new ordinance could be adopted.
The council voted unanimously on Aug. 9 to extend the moratorium to Oct. 11.
