Sussex officials scrutinize first sign under new regs

The first application under Sussex County's updated sign ordinance is going through the system and has received a favorable nod from the planning and zoning commission.

The Nanticoke Indian Association has filed an application for a modified conditional use to allow for an on-premises electronic message center sign at the site of the association's Indian Center building at 27073 John J. Williams Highway near the Rosedale Road intersection near Oak Orchard.

The original conditional use did not include provisions for an on-premises sign. Under new regulations, an amended conditional-use application is required to construct an on-premises electronic message center sign on an AR-1, agricultural-residential, zoned parcel.

The original conditional-use application for the site was approved in 1992.

The commission recommended approval of the application at its Feb. 22 meeting. Commissioner Doug Hudson said the sign must comply with all county brightness and motion standards and a site plan noting the sign's location must be submitted to the county planning and zoning commission.

The original message board sign was destroyed by a car. “They need to inform the public and tribe members what is going on and there is a need to change the sign as they go through the year. There are a lot of events there,” said association attorney Seth Thompson.

He said the sign would be 24 square feet with a 20-inch-tall electronic message area. Thompson said the nearby American Legion Post has an electronic message center sign.

Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson asked whether the association would consider turing the sign off at night. “That would be one less distraction for drivers,” she said.

Nanticoke Indian Chief Natosha Carmine said the association would consider turning the sign off at a reasonable hour.

County council's public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.