The Gloucester Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider proposed changes in the county’s zoning ordinance regarding signs at 7:30 tonight in the colonial courthouse.

The proposed changes would clarify how a sign’s area is measured and increase the maximum permitted on-structure sign area in the B-1 (Business) zoning district from 100 square feet to 200 square feet.

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

As proposed, electronic signs would be prohibited on parcels facing Main Street, as well as those adjacent to or across from historic properties listed in the county code.

Another suggested change, planning/zoning director Anne Ducey-Ortiz sai...