Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spanish Fort staff previews proposed digital-sign rules for commercial and industrial districts
Summary
City staff presented draft language for allowing one static digital ground sign per sign face in specified commercial and industrial zones, with limits on brightness, message frequency, size, hours of operation and setback from residences; council will consider the item May 5.
City staff previewed draft amendments to the city sign ordinance that would allow limited digital or electronic ground signs in several commercial and industrial zoning districts.
David Connor, a city staff member, presented the draft at a council work session and said, “This would add a section 8.8” and “Exhibit 6 would also be added” to create supplementary criteria for B-1 through B-5 and M-1 zoning classifications. Connor said the draft would allow one digital electronic sign per sign face or ground sign in those districts subject to the conditions he outlined.
The draft limits the signs to static messages only (no scrolling or movement), requires a light sensor to automatically adjust brightness, and caps operation so the sign “not operate at an intensity level of more than 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light, measured at 50 feet away.” Connor said a display must either “freeze the display in a static position or display full black” or turn off if the device malfunctions. The draft also would prohibit continuous streaming, flashing or video, limit sign face size to 60 square feet, and require that signs not be used for off-premise outdoor advertising.
Other numeric controls in the draft include a minimum 250-foot separation from a residential district and a message-frequency limit — signs may change from one message to another no more frequently than four times in every 24-hour period. The draft would allow the signs to operate between 5 a.m. and midnight and requires signs to power down between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m. Connor said much of the language was patterned on rules the city used on the causeway and that councilmembers could modify timing, frequency or setbacks if they preferred.
Mayor (unnamed) noted the presentation was for discussion only and said, “We're not gonna get in a detailed discussion. I wanted y'all to see it, so you can start looking at it.” Connor said the item would be brought to the council for formal consideration on the May 5 agenda and asked for input in advance so staff could incorporate changes.
Because this was a work-session presentation, no formal action was taken. Councilmembers and staff discussed the draft’s numeric limits, operational safeguards and the draft’s application to specific commercial corridors; no changes were adopted at the meeting.
