Officials from Calvert County Government’s departments of Planning and Zoning, and Economic Development met with the county commissioners Dec. 13 to discuss a comprehensive review of the jurisdiction’s sign regulations.
“Area businesses feel their advertising options are limited due to changes in state signage regulations,” department directors Chuck Johnston (Planning and Zoning) and Linda Vassallo (Economic Development) stated in a memo to the commissioners. In response to concerns raised by the business community, the Department of Economic Development will conduct a workshop series in 2012 to aid merchants in the development of marketing plans.
To address the concerns regarding sign regulations, a “sign charrette,” that is, a facilitated planning session, will be held in early February. The charrette will feature a review of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s presentation to the county commissioners on recently adopted regulations, a presentation by County Attorney John Norris on constitutional issues related to sign regulations and a presentation by Principal Planner Jenny Plummer-Welker on architectural review.
Attendees will break into small groups for discussions. The public is invited to the charrette and more information about its location and time will be announced next month. The county will pay $900 for the facilitator.
An ad hoc committee will be involved in drafting the proposed sign regulations. In addition to representatives from county government, the committee will include representatives from the local Chamber of Commerce, town center business associations, citizens’ associations from town centers, sign companies, the Southern Maryland Board of Realtors, League of Women Voters, volunteer groups and individuals.
The issues to be studied by the ad hoc committee include:
· Regulation of signs on vehicles
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