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Staff outlines proposed sign-code changes; electronic message centers limited to taxing authorities
Summary
Planning staff told the Economic Development Committee Oct. 20 that proposed sign-code amendments would limit electronic message centers to taxing authorities, introduce two lighting zones, change wall-sign sizing and remove a $5,500 sign escrow.
Planning staff presented a multi-part update Oct. 20 on proposed revisions to Wildwood's sign regulations, including new standards for electronic message centers, wall-sign sizing, temporary banners and the sign-escrow requirement.
Joe Booney summarized the draft recommendations that came through the Planning & Zoning Commission. The most notable policy change would allow electronic message centers only for taxing authorities (examples cited in the discussion included the City of Wildwood, school districts and fire districts). Booney said the city is not planning to install such a sign itself but that the ordinance would permit taxing authorities to apply under strict technical standards.
The draft also would introduce two illumination zones. "West of Route 109 is a dark environment," Booney said; the draft recommends lower maximum luminance for those areas to avoid glare near residential neighborhoods and schools. East of Route 109, where street and parking-lot lighting is more extensive, standards would be less restrictive.
Other changes discussed include a move from a frontage-based wall-sign calculation to a standard that allows up to 5% of total wall area (still capped at 50 square feet), an increase in maximum letter height to 30 inches, and simplification of temporary-banner rules (longer total allowable days per calendar year while retaining limits so banners remain "temporary"). Staff also recommended removing the prior $5,500 sign escrow requirement; staff said the escrow had rarely been used in 19 years and had created a burden for small businesses.
Randy Burkett, a retail consultant who presented to the commission, recommended specific technical measures (Kelvin, luminance limits and disallowing animation) to manage brightness. Committee members asked whether the new standards could be made stricter if complaints arise; staff said conditional-use permits (CUPs) and CUP conditions would allow the city to impose site-specific monitoring and adjustments.
No formal vote on the ordinance occurred at the committee; staff said the Planning & Zoning Commission had forwarded a letter of recommendation and that the item will go to City Council as a receipt-and-file item. Staff asked for any final committee feedback before Council consideration.
Provenance: Sign-code material and discussion of electronic message centers appear beginning at 02:19:35 and continue through 02:40:10 in the transcript.
