MARLBORO – The next campaign season in Marlboro could see a decrease in the number of political signs that are placed along the township’s roads as the result of a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance that is now before the Township Council.
Since January the councilmembers and the township attorney have been crafting an ordinance which, if adopted, would result in a decrease in the number of temporary signs that would be permitted to be placed around town.
The ordinance had its first reading at theApril 3 council meeting. It is scheduled to have its second reading, public hearing and vote for adoption at the council’s April 24 meeting.
According to the proposed regulations, anyone who wants to place a temporary political sign in a right-of-way or on public property would have to register with the township zoning office before placing the signs. The signs would also have to gain approval from theMarlboro Police Department Bureau of Traffic Safety.
The combined total area of signs placed in a public right-of-way would be limited to 32 square feet (of signs) on any one tax lot.
No temporary political signs on private property will be allowed within 50 linear feet of any other sign of the same candidate or campaign on any one tax lot.
The ordinance goes on to discuss rightof ways on roads such as Route 9, Route 18, Route 34, Route 79, county Route 520 and county Route 3 (Tennent Road). Political signs will not be allowed to be placed closer than within 200 linear feet of any other sign of the same candidate or campaign. This rule applies to Robertsville Road, Wyncrest Road, Tennent Road, Ryan Road and Gordons Corner Road as well.
The owner of the tax lots or the registrant of the signs will be held responsible for the removal of the signs, which is no more than seven days after the end of the event.
This ordinance pertains not only to political advertisements, but to all temporary sign structures.Atemporary sign placed by a contractor, such as a builder, painter or roofer, can have no more than one sign placed on a property. The sign may not exceed 6 square feet in size, and may only remain during the duration of the contracted work. The signs are not permitted to be chained to trees, fences or other structures.
Enforcement of the new ordinance would be by the director of the Department of Public Works or the director of the Department of Community Development. Those individuals may name designees such as the code enforcement officer or the zoning officer. A sign that is found to be in violation of the regulations may be removed from the property and result in a fine. TownshipAttorney Ronald Gordon said themunicipal judge would be the one to determine the amount of a fine. Gordon said the judge could impose a fine anywhere between zero and $2,000.
Councilman Frank LaRocca suggested that a minimum fine be included for violations and set that amount at $500. The rest of the council members agreed with the amount.
– Rebecca Morton

