(4/30) In an attempt to review changes made to the town’s recently revised Sign Ordinance, Thurmont’s Planning and Zoning Commission discussed and listened to concerns from businesses during their April 25 meeting.

In September 2017, Thurmont voted to approve a revised Sign Ordinance, which included several changes to temporary signs, flags, banners etc., with the intention to review the ordinance in a year’s time. Since the new ordinance was enacted, several business owners throughout Thurmont have voiced concern with a few of the regulations that were implemented as part of the sign ordinance, and how they have negatively affected their businesses. Discussions between these businesses, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Commissioners have included dialog regarding temporary signs, feather flag signs, and the size of signs permitted within designated commercial corridors. The meeting held on April 25 allowed business owners to directly voice their concerns to the Commission.

As discussed, business owners find the new Sign Ordinance to be very prohibitive for businesses trying to make a livelihood. In the past, many business owners utilized feather flags, banners, or A-frame signs to attract the attention of those passing through Thurmont. Those who utilized these types of advertising strategies, especially, were those businesses that were located in the Thurmont shopping center, or those whose storefronts do not directly abut the street.

With the implementation of the new sign ordinance came the direction that feather flags and banners are only allowed to be up for a limited number of days. Feather flags, in particular, are allowed to be up for only seven days. Without these flags, many of the business owners in the shopping center feel as though they have lost visual representation from the road. With only a small sign on the larger monument sign outside the shopping center, business owners say their businesses are no longer seen, and the stream of traffic through the shopping center has decreased.

Two of Thurmont’s business owners that are currently located within the shopping center noted that at the time they signed their lease, flags were allowed for advertising. Utilizing flags along the street, on the shopping center’s property, boosted business for many, and unfortunately, as soon as they were no longer able to attract the attention of those passing by, business depreciated.

Vickie Grinder, Thurmont’s Economic Development Manager, spoke to the Commission, asking them to consider increasing the amount of time businesses may leave these flags up. Commission members spoke with concern that allowing every business to use feather flags will make the town "look like Six Flags."

Kelly Duty, the town’s Zoning Inspector, suggested the Commission consider placing feather flags into the section of the sign ordinance that permits certain temporary signs with a permit. These temporary signs are allowed for 90 days throughout the calendar year, and the permit fee is $10 for each temporary sign. This change would need to be submitted as a text amendment and be sent to the Board of Commissioners. Business owners in attendance urged the Commission to consider creating an even longer period of time.

Chris Jakubiak, Thurmont’s Town Planner, discussed the importance of small businesses in town, and their contribution to the community through fundraisers and community development. He explained that, in his opinion, the town should be doing their best to encourage and promote more small business owners, and limiting their ability to attract business does not look favorable for the town. Jakubiak suggested the town allow feather flags for shopping centers only, or for businesses that do not have a storefront facing the street. This would give these businesses more visibility for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

The Planning Commission will be reviewing the remainder of the sign ordinance before sending a recommendation for revisions to the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Commission seemed to be in favor of making changes to allow feather signs.

Thurmont’s Planning and Zoning Commission discussed other zoning ordinance amendments during their late March meeting.

A proposal to change the maximum building height in the General Business District from 30 feet to 45 feet was viewed favorably by the Commission. Increasing the maximum height would encourage hotels, professional offices and would provide more flexibility for those looking to build. Additionally, within the General Business District, staff recommended increasing the side yard adjoining a residentially zoned property by one foot for every three feet of building height above 30 feet.

Town staff also recommended changing the distance between accessory structures in the backyard of a residence. As it currently stands, accessory structures in a yard have to be ten feet away from each other. As discussed, this is difficult for smaller properties that don’t have as much space to leave in between necessary outdoor structures. The proposal by town staff was to change the distance between accessory structures to six feet in between and six feet from the principal structure.

Lastly, town staff addressed parking concerns within town home complexes. The proposal stated that a garage that is physically attached to or built within a townhouse unit should not be counted toward meeting the minimum parking requirement of that complex. The ratio of required overflow parking spaces was also suggested to be increased from one per five units to two per five units.