§ 27-125.03. Public Hearing Signs.

(a)

Posting, in general.

(1)

The applicant shall post the required public notice sign(s) for all public hearings conducted by the Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals and Zoning Hearing Examiner. Signs for posting shall be provided by the Planning Board, or Board of Appeals where applicable, and shall include the following information:

(A)

The word "Hearing" prominently displayed;

(B)

The application number;

(C)

The date, time and place of the public hearing;

(D)

A phone number, prominently displayed, to call for additional information; and

(E)

The website address of the Planning Department to obtain additional information.

(2)

If the property has frontage on one (1) or more improved streets, there shall be one (1) sign posted for each one thousand (1,000) feet (or fraction) of frontage on each street. The sign(s) shall be posted on the property near the street right-of-way, and oriented to maximize their visibility to motorists. When more than one (1) sign is required to be posted along a street, the signs shall, where practicable, be evenly spaced along the street.

(3)

Signs shall be posted in the following manner:

(A)

Singled-sided if the property occupies frontage on a cul-de-sac, at the end of a dead-end street, or on a one-way street. The signs shall be oriented to maximize their visibility to motorists.

(B)

Double-sided if the property occupies frontage on a street that is visible to two-way traffic. These signs shall be configured in a "V" shape, at a 45-degree angle and oriented to maximize their visibility to motorists.

(4)

If the property does not have frontage on an improved public street, then one (1) sign shall be placed on the property. This sign shall be near the boundary of the property and visible from an adjoining property. Another sign shall be placed near to, and visible from, the improved portion of the nearest, most-traveled street. This sign shall indicate it is not on the subject property.

(5)

If the placement of any sign on the subject property is not visible to motorists from adjoining streets, additional signs may be required at the discretion of the Planning Director, Planning Board, Zoning Hearing Examiner, or Chair of the Board of Appeals, depending upon the body hearing the case.

(6)

For Planning Board and Zoning Hearing Examiner hearings, all signs shall be posted for a period of at least thirty (30) continuous days prior to the hearing date. The signs shall be durable, conspicuous and legible for the length of the required posting period. The Planning Board may establish more specific sign posting standards, if necessary.

(7)

The applicant shall be responsible for reasonable maintenance of all signs. In the event a sign is removed, falls down, or otherwise is not properly located on the property or in the right-of-way for any portion of the required posting period, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to repost the sign. The applicant is also responsible for removing the signs from the property within 15 days after the hearing.

(8)

For Planning Board and Zoning Hearing Examiner hearings, the person posting the sign shall file a written statement in the record of posting. A close-up, legible photograph of each posted sign and additional long-distance photographs depicting the signs and unique, identifiable features of the subject property shall also be submitted and included in the record file for the case. The applicant shall inspect the sign(s) at least one (1) time no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of posting to ensure that required signs are maintained. The person conducting the inspection shall file in the record a written statement of the sign's condition. For Planning Board Hearings, a combined posting and inspection affidavit shall be filed no less than 14 days prior to the hearing.

(9)

Any unauthorized person removing, destroying, defacing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with a posted sign (directly or indirectly) shall be subject to the penalties provided by law.

(b)

Posting, Planning Director administrative approvals.

(1)

Signs posted for applications which the Planning Director is authorized to approve administratively shall comply with and are subject to all requirements in (a), except (a)(1).

(2)

Signs for such applications shall have the following:

(A)

The title, "Notice: Right to Request Public Hearing";

(B)

The type of minor site plan change or limited departure from design standards proposed in the application;

(C)

The application number;

(D)

The request, or a description of its scope and nature;

(E)

A clear statement that the Director will act on the application without a public hearing unless a hearing is requested by a certain date, which shall be at least twenty (20) days after the date of first posting;

(F)

A clear statement that any person interested has a right to review the application and request a public hearing or submit written comments; and

(G)

Instructions how to request a hearing or submit written comments and how to obtain additional information.

(3)

Where the Planning Director is authorized to approve an application administratively, in addition to the required posting, the Director shall also give electronic notice of the application not later than seven (7) calendar days after the application is filed and accepted. The electronic notice shall contain the same information required for signs posted pursuant to Section 27-125.03(b)(2) of this Subtitle, as applicable.

(CB-14-1998; CB-42-2002; CB-1-2004; CB-42-2004; CB-56-2008; CB-94-2017)