Planning commission approves standards for internally illuminated canopy signs after council direction

The Lexington Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve design standards for internally illuminated canopy signs as part of zoning ordinance amendment ZOA 2025‑03, the commission decided after discussing brightness limits, color temperature and placement rules for C1 and C2 zoning districts.

The action responds to a City Council request that the commission refine standards for lumens, kelvin (color temperature) and sign color. Planning staff and commissioners debated numeric limits for light output and how to define canopy signs versus wall signs before moving and seconding a motion to approve the standards “as presented” for C1 and C2 districts; the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the standards determine where and how canopy-mounted signs may be used in Lexington’s commercial zoning districts and set technical limits intended to reduce visual impact downtown while allowing certain business signage to remain viable. City Council had previously signaled support for allowing canopy signs with clearer technical standards and sent the…