Town Troubles (maybe)

[MrTechie]

So I recently moved to a different town, and after looking at their by-laws, I've come to discover that they have a town by-law in regards to 'signs' for people in a residential area. Their by-laws read as follows:


3.1 SIGNS
3.1.1
Signs in Residence Districts In a Neighborhood Residence District and in a Rural Residence and Farming District the following signs are permitted:

• (a) one non-flashing sign not over two (2) square feet in area for each family residing on the premises including the name of the owner or occupant and/or pertaining to a permitted accessory use.
  
  
• ( two non-flashing signs aggregating not over ten (10) square feet in area pertaining to a permitted use on the premises other than a dwelling or use accessory thereto or pertaining to a use specifically authorized on the premises by the Board of Appeals.
  
  
• © temporary unlighted signs aggregating not over ten (10) square feet in area advertising the sale or lease of the premises.
  
  
• (d) unlighted directional signs not over two (2) square feet in area, indicating the route to, or location of, a lawful use located on another premises.
  
  
• (e) temporary Building Contractors’ signs erected only during period of construction.

While it is presumptuous to state that I would fall under 3.1.1 (a) - which would allow for a single non flashing sign not over 2 sq ft permitted to an accessory use.

Here's my concern. As like all of us, it's important to let people know about being able to listen to the music as well as watching the lights. But placing a sign that says "Tune To XX.X" creates an expenditure that I am not looking to pay, (as I have already spent enough on this hobby) because the town wants $400 just to put the notice on their agenda - never mind if it gets approved or not.

So with that said - I am looking for some input from others on how they dealt with something like this, or creative ideas how to get around it. The town can NOT stand in the way of displaying the lights due to the separation of Church and State, but they can however have a say about if a sign is posted on my front yard.

While I am setting up a new website for this years show, and plan on placing flyers
around town that has the website on the flyer, I am not sure if that will be enough. The site would obviously tell people what station to tune to.

So I would be interested to hear others input in regards to this and what possibly be the best way to approach it.

[WayneKremer]

MrTechie,

I'm sure many towns have bylaws like this, but the reason they have them is for other obvious reasons such as someone putting up a permanent sign advertising Joe Bob's Chicken...not a small temporary sign showing your radio frequency.

Here is what I would do: IGNORE IT and move forward with your plans. Don't go digging for all the possible problems that can come up...otherwise, you'll find you'll need wiring for outdoor use only, your LOR controllers must all be UL approved, your radio power can't be more than outside your cul-de-sac, etc.

If there is a problem, you'll find out later and then you can take it up with the authority having the issue.

[PaulXmas]

You could ...
1. Put up the sign and freak out everytime someone knocks on the door.
2. Contact the City and ask!
I have a feeling they will look away for Christmas. Don't sue me if they don't I am not a lawyer nor do I play on on TV!

[jimswinder]

I agree with WayneKremer...

If the city says something and asks you to take it down, contact your local TV stations and explain what is going on (here in Seattle a station has a group of people called "Problem Solvers") ...they would be out there in a second defending you...especially if you are collecting donations for a good cause...

but that is just the "rebel" in me (less government is my mantra)

[Jim Saul]

I'd go ahead with your sign and see if anyone complains. Most towns look the other way fir Christmas displays.
If they do, you have 2 options
1) fight, bring in newspaper and TV so they are demonized as being anti-Christmas
2) ask for forgiveness and make a 2 ft. non lit up sign on the edge of your property so that the cars headlights hit it.

[Paul Roberson]

jimswinder wrote:

I agree with WayneKremer...

If the city says something and asks you to take it down, contact your local TV stations and explain what is going on (here in Seattle a station has a group of people called "Problem Solvers") ...they would be out there in a second defending you...especially if you are collecting donations for a good cause...

but that is just the "rebel" in me (less government is my mantra)

Exactly!!

I would not worry about it. Stop looking for 'problems'.

And if they did come by having a problem with a sign. I would, set up a projector, projecting the "Tune to XX.xxFM" onto my house. "It's not a sign. It's part of my display":P;)

[George Simmons]

I think this is one of those "easier to ask forgiveness rather than permission" type of things. Yes, I know it IS Massachusetts, but I'm also thinking they're not going to go looking for trouble at Christmas time. Why not pre-empt any problems by inviting the Mayor to be on-hand for the first lighting ceremony?

[MrTechie]

All decent ideas. I have also just been informed that one way to get around it would be to place the sign (using battery powered lights) in the back of a truck near the edge of the driveway. Or to place a banner on the car near the road.

It's interesting, because the town's electric company also allows people to register for the 'best light house' during the season, and the winner gets a free month of electricity.

And I've also thought about - "What about good ole Saint Nick standing near the road holding a sign?"

I think the ruling is vague enough to get around it - but how - that's the thing.

[MrTechie]

Or maybe I could get away with (d) like this:

Tune To xx.x --->

LOL

[mbettez]

a model airplane flying around your house with a banner? :dude:

[jimswinder]

MrTechie wrote:

I think the ruling is vague enough to get around it - but how - that's the thing.

What rule?

Ignorance is bliss.... :dude:

[MrTechie]

The funny thing is I live in Sterling and there's a municipal airport
right by my house - so I think I could do a little better than a
Model airplane.

Which is an interesting idea now that I think about it

[MrTechie]

And in fact a friend of mine has a small plane! So I wonder if I could get him to help me out!

Keep em coming guys! This is awesome!

[jimswinder]

MrTechie wrote:

And in fact a friend of mine has a small plane! So I wonder if I could get him to help me out!

Keep em coming guys! This is awesome!

Get one of those toy blimps and have it flashing your "Tune To" info..

so is it a sign...

or just a flying toy...

[George Simmons]

Or just leave the "tune to..." info projected against the window. By the time they have city hearings to decide whether it's a sign or an image or a whatever, it will be Easter.

[travis p]

George while i agree with less gov.involvement there an idea its called scorch lite let the sign say merry christmas XXX fm when the car lites hit it i grantee it will light up like day time if left in the sun it will dull in about 2 years i know this stuff works i used it for fake headlights and tail lights on my latemodels

[jimswinder]

t purser wrote:

there an idea its called scorch lite

did a google search for scorch lite...

nothing...

[Guest Don Gillespie]

well why don't you design some lights that go with the music and have them designed to your FM station number

first of all which freakin city official is dumb enough to come to your house and say hey you can't have a sign here, I would like to meet him especially at Christmas, secondly I agree with Jim if it does happen get the media involved more than likley they will back down if they don't hang a large sign in your living room window

[evan.a]

jimswinder wrote:

t purser wrote:

there an idea its called scorch lite

did a google search for scorch lite...

nothing...

I think he ment scotchlight. it's a 3m product, used for decals and signs.

[-klb-]

I had a longer reply written, but apparently the window focus changed just before I hit backspace...

I'd say don't worry about it. Here, the police department wants nothing to do with simple ordinance violations. And code enforcement only works 8 to 5. So don't light it, or blink the lights while code enforcement might be on the clock.

Unless a neighbor complains, I'd say this is extremely unlikely to ever come up. Also, over the next few years, see if you have an opportunity to meet one or more of your city council members, and become friends. They may be able to provide insight on how city staff is likely to view this, and make things easier if it ever does become an issue.