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Board allows electronic message sign at American Legion Post on Main Street
Summary
The zoning board granted a variance allowing the American Legion to replace its static sign with an LED electronic message center, subject to the city’s brightness and message‑change performance standards.
The Laconia Zoning Board approved a variance to allow an electronic message center at the American Legion post at 849 Main Street, finding the proposed sign met the ordinance’s performance standards and would help the post communicate events and fundraising to the public.
Commander Wayne McLean and sign‑project representative Mark Vroman told the board the proposed LED sign would occupy a slightly smaller footprint than the existing sign, be installed at the same location and use the existing electric service. Vroman emphasized the sign would not flash or produce rapidly changing animations; instead it would present short messages (for example: “bingo Thursday 6:30”) and comply with the city standard requiring reduced brightness after dusk and a limitation on message change frequency.
Board members reviewed sign regulations and noted electronic message centers are permitted by special exception in some commercial districts but not in the post’s zone; the board concluded the proposed sign would not harm driver safety if it met the dimming and message‑change requirements already spelled out in the ordinance. The motion to grant the variance carried by voice vote.
