Commission reviews electronic message‑board rules; consultant urges dimmers, curfews

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Wildwood heard an extended briefing on electronic message boards and related sign regulations, including experienced lighting consultant Randy Burkett’s recommendations on controls to limit glare and light pollution.

Burkett, of Burkett Lighting Design, told the commission that modern LEDs are far more efficient and concentrated than older sources and can create significant glare in otherwise dark settings. “The LED is the most efficient light source on Earth,” he said, and noted that electronic signs can now be dimmed to very low output. He recommended requiring integral dimmers, time‑of‑night curfews, limits on animation and content change rates, and location controls relative to transportation corridors so signs do not introduce hazardous transient adaptation for drivers and pedestrians.

City staff and the city attorney summarized ordinance approaches used elsewhere and possible options for Wildwood. City attorney Young said several example cities use conditional‑use reviews for changeable electronic signs outside commercial districts, and one city imposes an objective standard limiting sign output to 0.3 foot candles above…