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Board grants variance for Civic Center entrance poles after lengthy debate over animated signage
Summary
The Board of Adjustment approved a variance to allow larger, electronic signage on four existing support poles at Civic Center Music Hall after a lengthy board debate about whether full‑motion (Level 3) EMD was necessary.
The Board of Adjustment approved a variance for signage on four existing support poles at 201 North Walker Avenue, adjacent to Civic Center Music Hall, allowing larger sign faces and permitting EMD (electronic media display) on those pole structures (case 15860). The Downtown Design Committee (DDC) had unanimously recommended the variance earlier in January.
Caitlin Turner, representing the applicant, said the poles were already in place and the request would allow permanent, more durable signs to replace vinyl banners that had been damaged by wind. Turner said the application sought to place EMD on the four pole structures in front of the main entrance and argued the signage is set far back from Walker Avenue and would not affect adjacent owners.
Board members questioned whether Level 3 EMD (full‑motion video/animation) was necessary to address the applicant’s stated hardship—visibility of events at the Civic Center—versus the less intensive Level 1 or Level 2 EMDs, which limit motion and frequency of change. Sarah Welch of planning staff explained that two separate sections of the new sign code conflict on whether Level 3 EMD is allowed in the Downtown Vertical District (DVD); the applicant included the Level 3 request to resolve the ambiguity and to ensure signage utility.
Dee Lanoosa, director of marketing and sales for the Civic Center, testified the resident performing arts companies use motion and video in promotional material and that animated signage better communicates show content to passersby: “The big difference between a level 1 and a level 3 is the fact that most performing arts is visual and it moves,” she said, arguing Level 3 helps convey that content.
Several board members said the site is unusual and highly set back from Walker (staff noted the EMD distance requirement of 50 feet from the street or signalized intersection), and that the pole signs had been present for years without incident; others urged applying the minimum relief necessary and suggested a Level 1 or Level 2 could cure visibility concerns. After extended discussion about precedent, traffic review and the sign code’s internal contradiction, a motion to approve the variance on statutory grounds passed.
Staff will process permitting details and, if needed, reconcile code language about EMD in future sign code revisions.
