Sussex P&Z hearing on sign regulations set May 12

Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the county's sign ordinance relating to billboards and electronic-message signs. Commission meetings get underway at 6 p.m. in the county administration building at 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

County council appointed a sign committee to draft updated regulations. One of the key recommendations on billboards is to eliminate variances, which have become commonplace.  Many sign applications are granted variances for factors such as height, setbacks and distance from the nearest existing billboard. Billboards require a special-use exception granted by the county's board of adjustment and are only permitted in commercial zones.

The county is currently under a billboard moratorium until Wednesday, June 15, pending the possible adoption of new regulations.

County council's public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, in the county administration building.