New Sign Ordinance Weighed In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA — A new sign ordinance may be coming to the borough.

Borough officials said the Hatboro Borough Council's downtown development committee and borough staff is working with Montgomery County and the Barth Consulting Group to develop a new sign ordinance.

Officials said the updated ordinance is intended to modernize sign regulations, enhance the appearance of commercial corridors, and support local businesses while preserving the character of the community.

Councilwoman Jennifer Hendrickson and Montgomery County Planning Commission Intern Owen Smith recently walked through the downtown business district on York Road, taking photos of existing signs and talking about ideas on future signs.

Borough officials said that once the ordinance is completed (after professional, planning commission and public input), it will not be mandatory that existing businesses change their signs.

Officials said the ordinance is for new signs.

Residents posted in The Real Voices of Hatboro Facebook page that the new signs for Dunkin' and Papa John's are already a problem for residents living nearby.

One resident posted that Dunkin' is "wasting energy" with its night-time light display as a house is being "pummeled with obnoxious fluorescent lights every night."

He suggested that Borough Council members spend a week at the house with "no blinds, no shades, and tries to get some sleep."

Other residents complained about the "obnoxious and unnecessary" bright lights.

"It’s a quiet, quaint little town," one resident posted. "It’s not a strip in Las Vegas. Turn the lights off."