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Wildwood staff to hold April work session on electronic message boards and sign rules
Summary
Planning staff presented a proposed review of the city sign regulations covering electronic message boards, sign escrow, sign-size calculation and temporary banners and asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to authorize an April 7 work session; commission approved the work session.
City of Wildwood planning staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission March 3 they will hold a work session April 7 to study electronic message boards and other sign-code changes and invited commission direction and public input.
The Department of Planning said it is proposing to review several parts of the sign regulations (listed in the city code as chapter 415.03 definitions, chapter 415.4 general sign regulations and related sections for residential and commercial districts) to consider updates on electronic message boards, sign escrow deposits, calculation of sign sizes, lighting characteristics and installation components. The department asked the commission to authorize a work session prior to the regular April 7 meeting; the commission approved the April 7 work session to begin at 5:15 p.m.
Why it matters: sign rules affect business visibility and residential character across Wildwood. The department said the review was prompted in part by feedback from the Wildwood Business Forum and a desire to improve enforcement and design clarity.
Planning staff, represented by Mr. Vunich, said staff will present a primer and that the April work session will include an industry expert and legal research from the city attorney’s office about how other municipalities treat electronic message boards. Mr. Vunich said, "I'm sure as we know each municipality seems to treat them differently, some prohibiting them like the City of Wildwood and others having what I would consider loose regulations associated with them as well."
The primer lists five specific topics staff wants to explore: the city’s $500 sign-escrow requirement (used to remove abandoned signs), a proposal to reconsider how wall sign sizes are calculated for taller facades, the application of U.S. Supreme Court rulings on neutral-content sign regulations (and routing certain variances to the Architectural Review Board), permanent vs. temporary banner rules and enforcement of signs placed in the right-of-way by businesses located outside Wildwood.
Economic development staff member Mr. Lee said the department is conducting a survey of businesses and hoped to collect about 50 responses from the 73 businesses with commercial frontage; he told the commission the survey will ask businesses to review the code and offer actionable feedback and that preliminary results should be available by the end of the month.
Commissioners requested more visuals for the April work session. Commissioner Humphrey asked that staff show pictures of each sign type so commissioners can identify what they are discussing; Mr. Vunich agreed to include a short PowerPoint primer before the session begins.
The commission voted to authorize the work session for Monday, April 7, 2025, starting at 5:15 p.m.; staff said the session will be a public meeting and outside parties are welcome to attend and comment.
Staff asked for public and business input before the work session and said the city attorney and an outside consultant or sign company representative will present at the April meeting.
