Mahwah August 8, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 7 Ordinance found compliant by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Planning Board has found that the ordinance to amend the zoning section of the township code concerning the regulation of signs complies with the township’s master plan. The new ordinance would prohibits all temporary signs, without exception, from being placed in the township’s public rights of way. The ordinance was introduced in July. Now that it has been reviewed and approved by the planning board as being in compliance with the master plan, the ordinance is expected to be adopted at the Aug. 9 public council meeting. At its last public meeting, the planning board engaged in an extensive discussion about the potential impact of the ordinance on all of the not-for-profit entities and small businesses that often place temporary signs in the public rights of way to advertise their events, because the ordinance would prohibit all temporary signs in the public rights of way. That prohibition includes all political, real estate, and garage sale signs, in addition to signs that advertise local events. Alternate board member Ellen Stein objected to the ordinance, claiming that, while it is well intentioned, it is vague and could have unintended consequences, especially on small business owners trying to get their businesses started. Mayor William Laforet, who originally brought the ordinance to the council for consideration, explained that the primary intention of the ordinance is to prohibit the placement of political signs in the public rights of way, especially along Macarthur Boulevard during the time of year when elections are held. Laforet explained that the township attorney had advised him and the township council that the ordinance cannot legally discriminate which signs would be allowed and which would not, so all temporary signs would be prohibited. He pointed out, however, that the temporary signs, including political signs, will still be permitted on private property with the permission of the owner, and there are other opportunities for non-profit, and forprofit organizations to advertise their events without using the public rights of way. “The whole idea behind this sign ordinance,” Laforet said, “is to eliminate those signs that trash up our community and this year is without a doubt the number one year in which that would occur.” This fall, state, county, and local candidates will be seeking office, as will candidates for the local board of education. The planning board held a straw vote that indicated that all the voting members approved of the intention of the ordinance. David Roberts, the township’s professional planner with the Maser Consulting Company, explained to the board that the ordinance can be considered consistent with the township’s master plan because the prohibition of temporary signs in the public rights of way would improve the visual environment of the township. With that assurance, the voting members of the planning board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance as consistent with the master plan. Special delivery Last week, Mahwah Mayor William Laforet assisted Peapod, a grocery delivery service, bring $500 worth of food that will equate to more than 220 meals for clients of the Center for Food Action in Mahwah. Almost 30,000 children in Bergen County are food insecure. This delivery comes at a time when donations are particularly important since summer brings an end to the healthy meals provided in schools. Pictured are Ann Bruncati of Peapod, Mayor Laforet, Center for Food Action Site Manager Jim James, and Sean Ashe of Peapod.