Commissioners revisit electronic city sign designs for Stow City Hall

City staff presented preliminary designs and options for an electronic sign at Stow City Hall during the planning commission meeting in early 2025, asking for feedback before beginning a formal design process. Staff said the city wants a sign to improve communication with residents — for events, website notices and program promotion — and presented several prototype sizes (including 5-by-10, 4-by-8 and three-face options) and placement options about 80 feet back from the corner.

Staff said the three-sided option discussed previously is no longer under active consideration and the city is now focused on two-sided monument-style signs that could face both Graham Road and Route 91. Staff noted the city’s current sign code does not accommodate large, multi-faced signs well and said variances likely would be required under the existing code for electronic sign area and number of freestanding signs on the property. Staff recommended waiting for the pending sign-code update but also asked commissioners for design feedback so the city can begin a design process.

Commissioners cited several concerns and preferences. Commissioner Jeff Wagner said consistency with a future city design standard was important and opposed a mammoth three-faced structure that would dominate the building’s facade. Another commissioner repeated concerns that the city should set an example and not seek variances that would appear to exempt the city from its own rules. Commissioners suggested smaller, multiple signs (for the two entrances and front) or a two-sided monument sign angled to increase visibility without overwhelming the site. A commissioner recommended making the city sign consistent with other recently built municipal signage in the region for a cohesive look.

Staff described planned site changes related to the sign: reinstalling three flagpoles at the front, returning the Doughboy memorial to a different location, and adding walkways to improve pedestrian connectivity and sightlines. Staff said the temporary sign currently at the site is insufficient for communication needs and that residents often report not seeing event notices even when emailed or posted online. No formal design or zoning action was taken at the meeting; staff said it will begin the design process and return to the commission with formal drawings and a plan that accounts for the forthcoming sign-code update.

Design items raised for future submittals included: exact sign height (staff estimated the comparative Fairlawn example at about eight feet), two-sided vs. angled two-face displays, electronic-area limits under the existing code, number of freestanding signs for a large property with multiple entrances, and landscaping/architectural details so the sign complements City Hall.