Chadds Ford Township supervisors resolved Monday night to temporarily ease  up on sign restrictions in the business districts along Route 1 and Route 202. The change is on a trial basis and runs through the end of this year.

“We don’t know how this will work out,” said Supervisors’ Chairman George Thorpe. “It’s on a trial basis.”

The resolution, which passed 3-0, follows a request from members of the Chadds Ford Business Association. It cites the current economic downturn and that “numerous retail establishments in Chadds Ford Township have suffered a significant drop in business” as reasons for the temporary relaxation of sign ordinance restrictions.

That relaxation offers “relief to the time limits, design criteria and permitting  process for temporary signs.”

Applicants are still required to file for a regular Temporary Sign Permit with a cover letter requesting a special permit and pay a fee twice the regular temporary sign permit fee.

Once granted, the special permit allows the applicant to use the temporary sign for  the remainder of the year instead of  the usual 30-day limit. However, the signs may only be used during regular hours of operation and must be removed at closing time.

The resolution also establishes a special sign committee comprised of Thorpe, Code Enforcement Officer Richard Jensen and Township Manager Joe Barakat. The committee will act on requests within 14 calendar days after the application is received.

In another sign related matter, Supervisors’ Vice Chairman Deborah Love D’Elia said  the township has withdrawn actions against the Cattie Shack Market and Deli.

The market opened in January at the site of the former Wawa on Route 1 at Station Way Road. There were many citations against the owner for putting up temporary signs to let motorists know that the shop was open for morning coffee.

“We’re trying to be cooperative with businesses,” Thorpe said.

Other business

Supervisors also resolved to authorize the Chadds Ford Sewer Authority to conduct a special study into the feasibility of converting the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant into a pumping station. Instead of treating waste at Ridings, the plant there would send sewage for processing to the Turners’ Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant.

According to the resolution, the Ridings plant operates at less than optimal performance levels and efforts to improve performance have not yielded desired results.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has encouraged the Sewer Authority to find better ways to meet proper standards of discharge levels.

• Supervisors appointed William Mock to the Planning Commission, replacing  Brakat who stepped down after becoming township manager.

• Jon Trigg, a member of the  Emergency Preparedness Committee was appointed committee chairman, also replacing Barakat in that position.

Barakat remains on the committee as emergency preparedness coordinator.