Planning commission approves staff’s sign-amendment recommendations for Council review, limits focus to animated/moving signs

The James Island Planning Commission on July 10 voted to approve staff-recommended amendments to the Town of James Island Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance related to signage; the commission’s recommendation will be presented to Town Council at its July 17 meeting.

Planning Director Kristin Crane explained staff’s proposed language would allow certain animated or slowly moving signs and clarified the amendment is limited to movement of sign parts — for example “rotation or oscillation of the sign” — and would remain constrained by the town’s existing square-footage allowances and prohibitions on inflatables, streamers and similar temporary devices.

Commissioners asked whether electronic message boards or large inflatables would be permitted; staff and commissioners confirmed existing prohibitions on electronic message signs remain in place and the amendment would not change prohibitions on inflatables and similar devices. The record shows commissioners’ discussion focused on whether the amendment should allow only subtle motion (for example, slow rotation) and on ensuring any allowed moving sign would be reviewed under the existing signage-area limits.

Formal action: A motion to approve the staff-recommended amendments for discussion purposes was made, seconded and approved by the commission. The commission recorded that Town Council will hear the planning commission’s recommendation at its July 17 meeting.

What’s next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to Town Council for a public hearing and potential ordinance amendment. Any change to the town’s sign regulations would require Council action following its public-record processes.