Global pharmaceutical company Merck is asking for approval to erect two new monument signs outside its Upper Gwynedd facilities, writes Dan Sokil for The Reporter.

The signs would be placed at 351 and 770 Sumneytown Pike.

“They are new signs, not replacements,“ said planning and zoning officer Van Rieker. “They are discreet, given the thousands of feet of frontage they have, but the need is that they would be larger than permitted.”

One of the area’s largest businesses has asked for the signs to include LED lighting which would be remain on overnight. However, current ordinance requires that the lighting be turned off by 10 p.m. at the latest.

“They’ve asked for permission to extend that all night, so that’s one element that would be unusual for our township,” Van Rieker said.

The company also asked for permission to change the color of the signs to correspond with special occasions, such as St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas.

Each sign would measure 240 square feet, counting both sides of its V-shape. Neither would be taller than 12 feet above the ground, which complies with the current codes.

The requests will be discussed further during the October 22 zoning hearing.

Read more about Merck at The Reporter by clicking here.