Residents ask Brooksville council to reconsider ban on temporary full‑color LED signs for events and small businesses

Several residents and a small‑business owner asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider reopening the city’s ban on LED signage for short‑term event and promotional use and to direct staff to return with a code change.

Tim Rose, who identified himself as a Brooksville resident at 7201 Woodland Drive and a small‑business owner, told commissioners he rents portable full‑color temporary signage and proposed a one‑week rental window for event promotion. “I would like to propose an amendment to the ordinance so that we could possibly allow for like a one‑week, rental limitation,” Rose said, explaining the units are trailer‑mounted LED displays that can show remote updates and full‑color images.

City staff responded that the LED issue was addressed in last year’s sign‑code rewrite. City staff member David said, “The LED issue was part of the sign rewrite that was done last year, went to city council, city council said we’re not doing LEDs in city.” Staff told the speakers that, because of that prior council direction, any change would require a Land Development Code text‑change application (a fee applies), review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and final approval by the City Council.

Staff outlined the procedural steps: applicants must submit the city’s application for a Land Development Code text change, pay the associated fee and meet application requirements; staff will schedule the item for Planning and Zoning and then City Council if council directs staff to proceed. A staff member estimated the application fee at about $1,000 and urged proponents to contact council members directly because of recent turnover: “we have 60% new council members this year,” staff said.

Pamela Krantz spoke alongside Rose and described the proposed signs as useful for public safety messaging (Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts) and event promotion. Deborah McCormick, who said she serves on the city’s beautification board, offered measured support for high‑quality temporary signage outside historic and residential areas, noting that good design and placement matter.

Staff noted the city’s concern about uneven visual quality if some portable LEDs were allowed and others were not. Staff suggested that proponents raise the matter as new business before City Council; council could then direct staff to prepare a code amendment and return it to Planning and Zoning for consideration.

No formal action was taken by the commission at the meeting; staff provided guidance on process and next steps for proponents.