Zoning board OKs larger electronic sign on Market Street, limits message transitions

The City of Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board on record approved a dimensional variance allowing a 175-square-foot electronically changing wall sign on the west facade of the M&T building at 213 Market Street, conditioned on limiting message transitions to six per minute.

The sign request, filed by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, seeks relief from the Downtown Center district limit of 75 square feet. Planning Director Jeffrey Knight told the board the existing sign is already nonconforming and that the applicant proposes a larger replacement to improve legibility at a visually congested intersection. "The allowance in the zoning code for the downtown center District in which the property is located is 75 square feet, and the applicant is proposing a sign of a 175 square feet," Knight said.

The planning bureau and planning commission recommended approval with a safety-oriented condition: limit message transitions to six per minute, consistent with PennDOT guidance used for billboards and previous local approvals. Knight described the location as "a pretty visually congested area" with traffic signals, poles and a nearby clock tower that reduce sign legibility for eastbound drivers. He said the applicant argued the larger display is needed so drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists have adequate time to read public announcements and nonprofit messaging.

Attorney Steve Albrandt, representing the Downtown Improvement District, said the proposed sign "will be more aesthetically pleasing and safer for passing vehicles" and emphasized it would mostly carry public announcements and nonprofit messages rather than paid private advertising. Kevin Coutts of Strickler Signs, who described the new display as higher-resolution than the existing unit, testified the larger face would give "greater clarity and text, larger text because we've increased the overall size," and described the new panel's pixel pitch and dimensions.

Todd VanderWeed, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, said the group will manage the sign content and that Strickler Signs will provide monthly and emergency maintenance under an ongoing service arrangement. VanderWeed said the existing unit was installed in 2008 and has reached the end of its useful life.

After testimony and brief board questions about content management and maintenance, a motion to approve the variance as recommended by the planning commission — including the six-transitions-per-minute condition — was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The board chair said a written decision will be issued within 45 days.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the variance for case 2602 (213 Market Street) with the planning commission condition limiting message transitions to six per minute. The motion passed by voice vote; the board chair said a written decision will follow within 45 days.

The applicant and witnesses emphasized that most messaging will be for public events and nonprofits; the planning bureau and the board conditioned approval on limiting transitions to address driver legibility and safety.