Proposed Zoning Ordinance for Township Service Properties Discussed

Proposed Zoning Ordinance
The Collegeville Planning Committee unanimously agreed to make the recommendation to Borough Council about a zoning ordinance amendment exempting properties used for borough services.

By amending this ordinance, current zoning exemptions would be extended to buildings such as the fire hall and possibly the main street office.

“Basically, this is just an expansion of the previous definition of municipal-owned property to include borough services,” said township manager Geoffrey Thompson.

The committee agreed that this is a standard procedure, and all members supported the motion for approval to go to Borough Council.

Sign Ordinance Discussion
In a continuing discussion within the committee to finalize a township sign ordinance, Thompson engaged the committee in a conversation on the topic of temporary signs and restrictions for commercial usage.

There are many definitions for temporary signage. As an exercise in competitive analysis, Thompson has been reviewing nearby township ordinances. At the present time, there are loose restrictions on the use of hanging banners and mobile sings. The committee is looking to make tighter restrictions for these types of signs as a way of furthering the process of beautification within the area.

With the exception of election signs and signs for nonprofits, each commercial property is allowed to display one mobile sign for 30 days. Signs that are currently allowed and will continue to be approved are the sandwich type A-frame sign and smaller, mobile signs that can be hung.

The committee talked at great length about the aesthetic value of mobile signage and will continue discussions at future meetings to hammer out a comprehensive sign ordinance.

In other updates
Streetscapes is currently wrapping up the application of the brick-patterned crosswalks around town. The crosswalks and the borders will be finished in about a week.