Georgetown, Del., March 17, 2009: The signs, they are a-changin’.

Sussex County Council, at its Tuesday, March 17, 2009, meeting, endorsed new standards for public notice signs, making the markers larger and easier to read when placed on properties that are the subject of subdivision, change of zone and other land use requests.

Currently, cardboard signs measuring 12-by-18 inches are posted on wooden stakes at the perimeter of applicant properties, advertising a case number, public hearing date and contact information. Now, those signs will increase by 50 percent, to 18-by-24 inches. Additionally, the new signs will be made from plastic or fiberglass -- more resistant to the elements -- will be yellow with black lettering to make them brighter, and will be posted on sturdier wire stakes.

County Planning & Zoning Director Lawrence Lank said the new signs will cost the County about twice the price as the old signs – roughly $8 per sign. But the newer signs will last longer and could be used multiple times, a potential cost-saving feature now lacking in the disposable paperboard signs. As many as 400 signs are posted by Sussex County each year.

“People complain they can’t read the signs, because they’re too small or they’ve been damaged by rain,” Mr. Lank said. “Hopefully, this will improve the quality of our public notice.”

The new signs should begin springing up in a few weeks, as the older sign supply is depleted.

###