Great Neck Plaza village officials set a public hearing for a new law regulating vehicle-mounted signs on Aug. 16 last night, citing the signs as potential distractions and hazards in the congested village.
Officials described the law as one focusing on mobile signs and trailer signs, which draw lots of attention.
They said their presence, concentrated near or on main roads, contributes to traffic issues and must be addressed.
“This village has had a lot of congestion issues and traffic safety issues, and I think this is one more thing that adds to driver distraction,” Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said at a public hearing.
The current draft of the law defines a vehicle-mounted sign as a sign, billboard, printing or other displayed affixed or mounted to a parked vehicle or trailer used primarily for advertisement purposes, to attract public attention and or direct people to a business or activity.
Currently, the proposed law says these cars could not be parked, stationed or located on South Middle Neck Road, Middle Neck Road, Grace Avenue, Cutter Mill Road or Great Neck Road. It would also bar them from Business B Zoning District, coming within 25 feet of pedestrian crosswalks, and any property where they could be seen from a public street.
The law, however, would come with exemptions. It would allow for signs on licensed public vehicles like buses, signs advertising a vehicle for sale, signs required by government and printing on a commercial vehicle advertising the business it is associated with, so long as it falls “within the normal unaltered lines of the vehicle.”
“There are various other laws in different localities, but nothing very admirable,” Village Attorney Richard Gabriele said at the hearing. “It’s largely ours.”
In addition, the village will also continue its hearings on the Bond Street project, Plaza Gate LLC adjusting its conditional use permit, and adjusting local laws to provide incentives for affordable housing in two zoning districts.
Officials said they will have a consultant reporting on the findings and recommendations of a draft report on potential zoning changes. That report will be available online prior to the meeting for public review.
