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Planning staff outline middle-ground sign code changes; committee to review electronic message restrictions
Summary
Planning staff told the committee they will present a split policy for electronic message centers — one standard for darker, rural areas and another for denser town-center corridors — and emphasized single-color electronic messages, slow transitions and off-hours.
City planning staff updated the committee on Aug. 18 about work to revise the sign code for electronic message centers and other commercial signage. The department said the Planning and Zoning Commission solicited input and that staff recommended a middle-ground approach separating rural/dark areas from denser town‑center corridors to address illumination, brightness and enforcement concerns.
Director Rubic (planning staff) said the department estimated 20–25 potential sign locations citywide and that many are in rural areas where dark-sky considerations apply. Planning staff described a proposed approach that would permit electronic message centers for certain institutional and public entities but regulate illumination differently by area type. The commission recommended standards such as single‑color electronic displays, slow transitions between messages and that devices be turned off by 10:30 p.m. Staff expects to present a draft regulation to the Planning and Zoning Commission in September and to send it to the commission again in October before forwarding to city council that same month.
Committee members asked whether the city could operate an electronic message center for city announcements; staff said the code can be written to accommodate public entities but cautioned about creating a double standard if private businesses are excluded. Members also raised concerns about sign impacts on the night sky and driver distraction in dense corridors; staff noted the proposed two-tier approach (rural dark-sky areas vs. town-center areas) seeks to address those issues.
No ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; staff will present draft language and a proposed timetable to the Planning and Zoning Commission in September.
