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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,August 15,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Kirchner asked which encroachment the proposal eliminates. <br /> Oakden replied the current sign encroaches into the right-of-way and the new sign is proposing a zero <br /> foot setback but would eliminate the right-of-way encroachment. However both signs would be located <br /> in the utility easement. <br /> McCutcheon asked about the details of the sign. <br /> Oakden replied the sign the monument signage will include the business name,a digital changeable <br /> signage area,and a faux stone base. <br /> William Salvador of 612 Signs spoke about the visibility which is important for safety and showed a <br /> photo on screen noting there have been 3 accidents this year and people cannot see the sign going <br /> eastbound. The new sign is a lot more visible and that the current sign does not represent Orono as it is <br /> two plastic posts and a panel. They would like to design something really beautiful with architectural <br /> stone and down-lighting at the entrance of the town. He does not know that they are married to having the <br /> sign at the edge but because there is an existing sign there Mr. Salvador recommended it. He noted they <br /> are taking something existing and ugly,bringing it closer to the building, and making it a foot shorter; it is <br /> the same size and same place but closer to the building,more visible and thus safer, and much prettier. <br /> Kirchner asked what the digital display would scroll. <br /> Mr. Salvador thinks it needs to be static; while it can change it needs to be a certain frequency. He cannot <br /> speak for the owner but thinks he would say it is not that important. What is important is that they just <br /> paid a ton of money to redo the siding and make it more beautiful and want to make the signage more <br /> beautiful. If a digital display makes it worse in terms of the Planning Commission's acceptance,Mr. <br /> Salvador thinks they would remove it. They are asking for their opinion and can make changes and he <br /> reiterated they are trying to make something prettier than the plastic posts there currently. <br /> Chair McCutcheon noted it is already known for being an accident area and they do not want to make <br /> more distractions which is why they are sensitive on the digital display. <br /> Mr. Salvador spoke about driving on the road near the curve and sightlines of the building,noting one <br /> does not see the current sign until they are in front of the business. People then hit the brakes to pull in <br /> and from the other direction people cannot see those pulling out or coming across until the last minute <br /> which is why there have been many accidents.He clarified the relevance of the sign's proportion as <br /> previously there was a longer name and all sorts of mumbo-jumbo.Now the sign displays the name <br /> "River Valley"in large letters so one can read it further out. <br /> McCutcheon asked if the current sign is being hit by snow plows as it is so close to the road. <br /> Mr. Salvador replied it has been there 20 years and noted the posts do not have marks on them. The new <br /> one will be about 30 inches further in. <br /> Oakden clarified it abuts roughly two feet into the right-of-way currently and showed the edge of the <br /> right-of-way and the edge of the pavement. She reached out to Public Works for comment and they did <br /> Page 3 of 9 <br />