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Planning commission defers electronic message‑board question, authorizes staff research and a work session
Summary
Commissioners voted to defer immediate action on a request to consider electronic message boards in Wildwood and authorized the Department of Planning to prepare research, examples and a work session; the commission asked staff to present guardrails (brightness, no flashing/scrolling, allowed zoning categories) before any public hearing.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to defer a department request to post a public hearing on amendments that would allow electronic message boards for certain institutional, nonprofit and commercial organizations and instead asked staff to prepare research and hold a work session.
Department staff said two councilmembers asked the commission to revisit the city’s longstanding prohibition on electronic message boards. Director Vinich described how the item has been discussed multiple times over the past decade and recommended a cautious approach if the commission agrees to reconsider.
Several commissioners, including Commissioner Jackson and Mayor Garretano, said they would prefer concrete guardrails—such as limits on brightness and animation, automatic dimming at night, restrictions on locations/zoning categories (for example, limiting allowance to schools, places of worship or public institutions), and a distinct permit path—before opening the matter for public hearing. City staff and the commission agreed to present photographs, examples of local practice and proposals for technical limits at a work session so the commission and public can react to a concrete draft.
Commissioner Rubis moved to defer the public hearing and direct staff to prepare research and convene a work session; the motion passed on a voice vote. A second motion to authorize the work session and staff research also passed.
Clarifying details: staff advised next steps would include bringing examples of acceptable and unacceptable signage, recommended technical limits (brightness/dimming, message duration, prohibition on flashing/scrolling), possible zoning‑based limits and a draft permit path; timing anticipated no sooner than February or March depending on posting deadlines.
Why it matters: Electronic message boards raise questions about safety, aesthetics and equity (which users and zoning districts should be allowed), so commissioners asked staff to provide guardrails before public notice and public hearings.
