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Wildwood committee urges businesses to read sign code as city collects feedback for possible changes
Summary
The committee reviewed a sign‑code survey aimed at businesses, discussed lighting concerns, and said responses will inform possible planning and zoning review before any ordinance changes.
At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Wildwood Economic Development Committee discussed a newly launched sign‑code survey for businesses and urged property owners and merchants to review the city’s sign code before responding.
City staff launched the survey at the last business forum; the survey asks business respondents to read a plain‑language guide to the sign code, then answer targeted questions about changes they would recommend. Planning staff said they hope for 30–50 responses and will analyze the feedback for committee discussion at a later meeting.
Committee members flagged two recurring concerns: sign visibility from nearby higher‑speed roadways (notably Highway 109 south of Highway 100) and the interaction of sign lighting with the city’s lighting rules. Staff said permitted sign lighting today must be external downlighting or non‑internally lit backlighting; more permissive internal illumination could raise complex questions about lumen and color (Kelvin) standards.
City Administrator Lee described the typical legislative pathway for code changes: staff collects feedback, the committee may endorse recommended edits, the Planning and Zoning Commission would hold a public hearing on any proposed amendment, and then the City Council would review any final ordinance. Staff emphasized that any changes would follow that multi‑step public process; no ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting.
Committee members asked staff to consider focused outreach to businesses along major corridors and to include examples that show when a requested sign change is already allowed under current rules. Staff said they could add such clarifying notes to help respondents avoid asking for changes that are already permitted.
Officials also noted that lighting and signage are related but distinct topics; the committee said it may pursue a separate, more detailed examination of lighting standards and potential coordination with street‑lighting projects in the future.
The sign‑code survey remains open; staff expects to return findings to the committee in a subsequent meeting for further action or referral.
