The Planning and Zoning Commission has taken its routine review of temporary A-frame signs and is recommending the Town Council extend the sunset for allowing the signs for another two years.

The regulations that allow the A-frame signs as well as special sale and event banners are set to expire on Dec. 31 this year.

The council originally approved the sunset dates for the rules allowing the signs in 2009, according to town Senior Planner Marissa Moore. Subsequent councils have routinely extended the sunset. The expiration dates were put in to allow the town to review compliance with the rules that regulate the use of the signs.

Moore told the commission that while there is significant non-compliance with regulations there are few complaints about the signs. She said staff is cognizant of the fact that many businesses rely heavily on these signs to draw business; therefore most enforcement of the rules is driven by complaints.

“[Businesses] rely on the signs for promotion and to ban them may have a negative impact on business,” Moore said.

The most common violation for A-frames is signs left out beyond the hours permitted in the ordinance, Moore said. With banners it is failure to get a permit for the banner.

In voting unanimously (4-0) to recommend approval of the extension, commission members urged staff to increase outreach to explain the rules to business, working with the Chamber of Commerce if possible.

“I would like to see a proactive effort to address compliance,” Commission Chairman Susan Dempster said.

The commission also included a proposal for a quarterly sweep of sign compliance in its recommendation.

The Town Council is to consider the extension at its next regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 18. That is the final council session before the extension deadline at year’s end.