ARB approves parking-guidance LED signs with limits on size and mounting after design debate

The Palo Alto Architectural Review Board on May 1 recommended that the director of planning and development services approve sign exceptions for a downtown parking guidance project covering garages at 528 High Street, 445 Bryant Street, 520 Webster Street and the Civic Center Garage at 250 Hamilton Avenue, subject to limitations on sign size, mounting method and height. The board vote was 5-0.

Staff presented a package of LED matrix signs proposed by the city to display real-time parking availability and related messages at four downtown garages. The applicant said the displays are programmable "any message, any graphic, any video, any time," and are intended to move drivers quickly to available spaces and reduce cruising and circulation in the downtown area.

Why the city proposed LED matrix parking signs

Nishida, the project planner, told the board the city proposed five projecting (double-sided) LED matrix signs and three compliant wall signs to display parking availability. The signs proposed in the application were 40 inches wide by 80 inches tall, high-resolution P3.9 LED panels…