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Commission reviews City Hall electronic message sign proposal; vendors detail technical features
Summary
Planning staff and vendors presented a proposal for a two‑sided electronic message center (EMC) at City Hall, describing a 5x10-foot programmable display, masonry surround and cloud‑based content management; commissioners and residents asked about design consistency, visibility, sign variances and whether the EMC would replace temporary signage.
The Planning Commission reviewed a proposal for a two‑sided electronic message center (EMC) at City Hall intended to replace temporary construction and banner signs and provide timely public information.
Staff and vendor representatives described the sign as having a 50‑square‑foot EMC display area (approximately 5 feet by 10 feet per side) with an additional 8‑square‑foot area reserved for a City of Stow identification plaque. The design would include a masonry surround matching the City Hall façade and sit roughly 80 feet back from the sidewalk; the sign faces would be set at an angle (approximately 45 degrees) so drivers from multiple approaches can see the display. Staff said the project will require variances for number of on‑site signs and for electronic sign area.
Gina, the Archer representative, and a Watchfire representative demonstrated technical details and answered questions. The Watchfire representative described the product as U.S.-assembled and emphasized modular repair and cloud‑based content management: "Watchfire is a 93 year old company. We're in Danville, Illinois. So we've been making signs or whatever whatever the technology of the day was for the last 93 years. We actually manufacture our product in The United States here." He explained that the display is constructed of one‑foot modular panels so a damaged module can be replaced without removing the full sign and that the software supports multiuser access and automated emergency alerts.
Commissioners and members of the public raised design and consistency concerns. Commissioner Kristen (identified in comments as a council or planning representative) observed the city now has multiple digital and nondigital sign designs for different parks and facilities, and asked whether the City Hall sign could be made to match other city signage. Staff said they tried to match the brick fascia to the building and that a master sign plan is a future goal. Commissioner Wagner asked whether an EMC would eliminate the proliferation of temporary banner signs; staff answered, "Absolutely. None of that would ever go on again." Vendor representatives walked commissioners through pixel resolution and recommended resolution for legibility at the intersection; the Watchfire representative noted a high traffic count at the intersection when discussing visibility.
The commission did not vote on the sign; the review was informational and staff said next steps would include variance requests and permit review. A vendor offered a demonstration truck for commissioners and staff to view the sign in person.
The sign discussion included these technical and policy points: EMC area 50 square feet (5x10 per side), city ID panel roughly 8 square feet, masonry surround to match building materials, roughly 80 feet setback, angled two‑sided display, modular LED panels for maintenance, cloud‑based content control, and optional automated emergency-alert integration.
