The Gloucester Planning Commission recommended in favor of proposed changes in the county’s zoning ordinance regarding signs during a meeting Sept. 3 in the colonial courthouse.

The proposed changes clarify how sign area is determined. One proposed change would increase the maximum permitted on-structure sign area in the B-1 (Business) zoning district from 100 square feet to 200 square feet.

Planner Sean McNash said that planning staff has learned that several prospective tenants at Fox Mill Center (anchored by Walmart and Home Depot) have inquired about having signs of 120 to 140 square feet, even one expressing a need for 200 square feet of signage.

Also, the proposed ordinance, if approved by county supervisors, would allow electronic display signs for some nonresidential uses (specifically churches and other places of assembly, schools, libraries, museums and parks) in residential areas. The changes would limit hours of operation for that type sign and establish a minimum ...