Orleans panel approves Surfside Seafood sign with lighting, setback conditions

ORLEANS — April 23, 2026 — Orleans Architectural Review Committee approves Surfside Seafood sign and debates expanding lit-sign restrictions. The committee voted unanimously Thursday to approve a new freestanding sign for Surfside Seafood at 18 Old Colony Way, owned by Brad Lowe, contingent on installation of downward-facing hooded lighting and a building commissioner review of the sign's setback from the property line; the sign measures just under the town's 32-square-foot maximum. Acting Chair Stephen Sally presided with members Andrew Miao, Kira Vath, Richard Moranjow, Paige McMahon, and Carol Marsh present. The committee also approved amended minutes from its April 9 meeting, adding "and backlit" to a paragraph after member Carol Marsh argued the draft did not fully reflect her stated position that both internally lit and backlit signs should be restricted in town — though Sally noted any bylaw change would require action by the Planning Board. Sally also told members that consultant George Maservi would present at the May 14 meeting on the Governor Prince 40B affordable housing project, ahead of a May 20 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, and noted Orleans is among the only Cape Cod towns to have exceeded the 10 percent affordable housing threshold that limits 40B zoning-override powers.