Wildwood committee debates allowing electronic message-board signs; P&Z to study rules and limits

The Wildwood Economic Development Committee discussed whether the city should allow electronic message-board signs, weighing requests from local schools and institutions against resident concerns about light pollution and driver distraction.

Committee members, staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission representative described the current code as an outright prohibition on electronic message boards and said the commission is considering a conditional-use approach that could allow signs in limited cases such as schools or in the town-center area. "Currently, Wildwood strictly prohibits the use of electronic message board signs," a staff presentation said.

The discussion turned on where any signs could be allowed, how bright they could be, and how messages would change. City Administrator Thomas Lee told the committee that research showed…