Politics & Government

New Woodbury Zoning Regulation: No Limits on Political Signs

A three-year long zoning battle over political signs in Woodbury appears to have come to a close.

The Woodbury Zoning Commission voted unanimously Dec. 12 against limiting the number of political signs residents can put on their property.

According to the meeting minutes, the board voted to "replace 7.5.10.1 with the following: I. Political Signs: One or more signs, the total aggregate amount of signage per property shall not be limited."

The previous version of the regulation, according to Woodbury Zoning Regulations, allowed "one or more signs, the total aggregate amount of signage per property not to exceed 12 square feet."

A report from the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley found the new motion "is in conformity with the regional and state plans," according to the meeting minutes.

The motion, made by Commissioner Charles Cosgriff and seconded by Commissioner Jon Quint, passed 5-0.

This was the 39th consecutive zoning meeting where the issue of political signs was on the agenda. Woodbury held several public hearings on the matter, which at times prompted heated debate among residents.

The discussion ignited in October of 2010, when former Zoning Enforcement Officer Joe Chapman asked two Woodbury residents to remove political signs from their properties because they potentially violated size and quantity regulations of 12-square feet,  according to an article published by the Litchfield County Times in 2011.

Tom Arras, a resident whose 32-square foot political sign was in question, argued against Chapman's request, citing free speech rights set forth in the Constitution.

Do you think the former limits on political signage violated freedom of speech?


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