Ames council delays vote on proposed digital-billboard rules after public concern about brightness and wildlife

The Ames City Council on Monday continued a public hearing on a proposal to allow electronic billboards in certain highway corridors and to set a 250-nit evening brightness limit for digital displays, saying the city needs more technical input before deciding.

City planning staff presented proposed standards that would allow digital displays only in limited highway corridors and would regulate size (industry-standard 672 square feet) and a 250-nit luminance cap for evening operation. “We feel like this is the most direct way of measuring brightness,” city planning staff member Kelly said during the presentation, noting the standard differs from the city’s usual “light trespass” approach for outdoor lighting.

Residents and advocates urged the council to consider…