Occoquan, Va. — It’s a sign of the times in Occoquan, literally. The Town Council has proposed changes to the rules that govern the types of signs businesses in the historic district can use.
Under the newly proposed rules, businesses can use up to four signs whether they be flags with logos or regular signs in any combination they choose. They’ll also be able to use up to two portable A-frame chalkboard signs outside their shops.
The proposed changes are a departure from the past when businesses weren’t even allowed to hang flags outside their businesses.
“I support the town council’s proposal on this, and I think they’ve come up with a more liberal proposal than what the Architectural Review Board had come up with,” said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta.
When the frenzy over signage in the town erupted this spring, the review board partnered was commissioned and it partnered with members of the business community to come up with signage recommendations. Unlike the proposal put forth by the Town Council, the ARB recommendations limited businesses to either using a flag or a sign, and classified flags as decorative flags or logoed flags.
“In every community there is a group of people who are very opinionated, and I’m sure there is a group of people would like to see more regulations when it comes to signs but I think we have a plan that works here,” said Porta.
The hubbub about signs comes after the town welcomed more than 100 shoppers to Occoquan on Friday night for its annual holiday open house and Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
