P&Z Considers Creating Political Sign Rules

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering creating a set of zoning rules that would regulate the placement of temporary political signs associated with the annual November elections.

The P&Z has scheduled a public hearing for September 2 on a set of proposed political advertising sign regulations, which would cover such advertising.

In the past, political campaign advertising signs were largely absent from Newtown, as the two major political parties informally agreed to abstain from posting such advertising.

However, with the emergence of new political organizations, signs advertising candidates of all parties have become part of the local landscape during the fall election season.

Under the terms of the proposed regulations, the P&Z would allow one temporary political advertising sign to be placed on any lot by either the resident or by the owner only.

The proposed regulations would allow political signs to be posted as early as 30 days before election day. Those signs would need to be removed within two days after an election.

According to the proposed rules, such signs could not be affixed to utility poles, trees, or structures. Also, such signs could not be placed within a public right-of-way or in any other public area.

Also, such signs could not be positioned in a way that would impair motorists’ lines of sight or adversely affect traffic safety.

The maximum size for a political sign would be four square feet in area.

P&Z members discussed creating political sign regulations at a session earlier this month.

P&Z member Dennis Bloom, who also is chairman of the Republican Town Committee, said that he has never had any problem with residents posting political signs on their front lawns. But after an election occurs, such signs should be removed and time limits should be created on the presence of political signs, he said.

P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean said the agency’s lawyer would be reviewing the political sign regulation proposal in light of any freedom of speech issues that it might pose.

Resident Robert Hall, a local Republican, told P&Z members that he favors the placement of political advertising signs.

“I do think it’s a question of free speech,” he said, adding, however, that there should be some zoning regulations concerning political signs. Such regulations should contain provisions regarding political signs’ removal following an election, he said.

“It’s a real can of worms,” Ms Dean said of political signage.

Issues involved include: time limits for sign postings; the number of signs to be allowed on a property; rules on the signs’ removal, and where such signs would be allowed, she said.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Gary Frenette urged the commission to “get a legal opinion,” noting that it is important to balance personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, against the prospect of the visual clutter that the unregulated posting of political signs could create.