Zoning Commission says sign must come down

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NaugyTownHall2NAUGATUCK — A Giuseppe’s Italian Pizzeria sign in front of the Tuttle House downtown must be removed.

The Zoning Commission last Wednesday directed Zoning Enforcement Officer Steven Macary to send the pizzeria a letter saying the sign had to be removed within 60 days, after reading a legal opinion on the sign by borough attorney N. Warren “Pete” Hess.

Hess wrote the sign does not conform to zoning regulations because it was constructed without a certificate of zoning compliance and because it advertises for a business that is not in the same lot.

“I suggest that you consider language in the new sign regulations to provide guidance for Borough Adopt-A-Spot signs,” Hess wrote.

The pizzeria had sponsored local resident Jim Miele to beautify the spot and Miele said he thought the sign was approved under the borough’s Adopt-A-Spot program.

The Beautification Committee, which runs the program, contends Miele was acting on his own and the sign is more than twice as large as Adopt-A-Spot rules allow.

The commission’s decision came about an hour after a hearing on new proposed sign regulations, which attracted no participants. The hearing has been continued to May 15 at 6:15 p.m.

The proposed regulations also specify that illuminated “Open” signs for businesses must not flash or contain any other words. They may not be larger than 20 inches by 10 inches and must be turned off when the business is closed.

Most free-standing signs in nonresidential districts would have a maximum height of 15 feet, including the pole.

Signs advertising businesses would be limited to the lot where the establishment does business, and only one advertising sign per business would be allowed, unless the building is more than 50 feet from the road.

The proposal contains specific regulations for gas stations and car dealerships. As many as three signs could be posted for tag sales while the sale is in progress.

Signs for grand openings and special events must be approved by the zoning enforcement officer under the proposed regulations. Political signs would have to be removed within a week after the election.

The new regulations also elaborate on the definition of a sign, which would include anything printed on a flag, awning, balloon or umbrella.