By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHSTOWN – The Borough Council unanimously adopted an ordinance amending and revising its “Projecting Signs” general ordinance during its Monday night meeting.
“Do you realize how many years it took to get this ordinance?” said resident Eugene Sarafin. “It’s overwhelming how many years it took to get one simple little ordinance that does what?” he said. “I haven’t figured out what it does.”
Mayor Larry Quattrone said businesses can project signs outward off the side of the building instead of having one on the street in an A frame.
“Mr. (Charles “Lee”) Stults will tell you everything you want to know about it,” the mayor said to Mr. Sarafin.
Mr. Sarafin recalled sitting on the Board of Adjustments in 1969 and 1970 where they gave John Costageorge “all kinds of grief about projecting signs.”
“So why are we back to projecting signs now?” asked Mr. Sarafin.
“Trying to clean up Hightstown,” responded the mayor.
Council member Stults said that projecting signs attract drive-through traffic. A projecting sign, also known as a perpendicular sign, is more visible to drivers “because it is sort of in your heads-up area than traditional flat signage.”
“So we wanted to give business owners another option,” said Mr. Stults.
There are different guidelines based on signs, according to Mr. Stults.
“There is what is called a creative sign. If a business owner wanted to sell ice cream and wanted a sign in a form of a cone,” he said, adding there is a little more leeway.
According to the ordinance, the zoning official has requested certain changes to the ordinance to establish uniformity in signage, create an aesthetically pleasing environment and maintain a safe pedestrian environment.
The council reviewed the recommended changes and concurred that the changes are appropriate and would enhance the borough for businesses and residents alike, according to the ordinance.
Projecting signs shall contain only the name and type of business and logo. The sign shall project the image of the business, according the ordinance. The sign shall be located so it does not block or obscure important architectural elements of the façade, with the best location being either the front corners of structure or above the entrance. The sign shall be located at the top of the first floor level or between the first floor and second floor. The bottom of the sign shall be at least seven feet above the ground, according to the ordinance.
One (A Frame) sign may be erected per each street frontage. Each sign shall be six square feet, three feet in height and two feet in width, and shall be permitted in the H-C, CC-1 and CC-2 Zones only Such signs shall be limited to professionally manufactured type signs which may only be displayed during hours of operation and shall be removed promptly upon closing of business each day, according to the ordinance.
Mr. Sarafin said it sounds like a good idea. “Let’s see how it goes,” he said.
Resident and local business owner Scott Caster agreed it is a good idea.
“Would you please enforce it,” he said. “I’m just hoping that we put an enforcer down there. It will get out of control unless somebody is watching it.”
