Council hears first reading of downtown sign amendment that would bar internally lit neon tubing

A proposed text amendment to the city's sign code that would remove allowance for internally illuminated neon tubing in downtown mixed-use zoning districts was presented to the council at the July 28 study session.

Planning staff member Tommy Paradise told council the amendment deletes language that currently permits neon tubing downtown and would limit downtown signs to externally illuminated types. "Neon, to me, is internally lit because you have the gas tubing there that heats up and emits from the inside out, so it would not be allowed," Paradise said.

Paradise said the Planning Commission initiated the change after receiving variance requests from business owners who wanted illuminated signs downtown. He said commission members were concerned that, if halo illumination were prohibited, businesses might instead install internally illuminated neon signs. "They wanted to take that off the board," Paradise said, explaining the commission's motivation.

Council members asked whether halo-style or "halo" illumination would be considered internal or external under the proposed wording. Paradise said halo illumination typically shines light into the wall behind letters and is treated as internally illuminated for the purposes of the amendment; the commission is continuing a "deep dive" on halo illumination, color, and brightness standards.

Paradise said the proposed prohibition would apply only to the downtown mixed-use 1 and 2 districts; neon tubing would remain allowed in other zoning districts unless council chose to broaden the ban. He said the Planning Commission plans further study and could make a recommendation to council after advertising and a formal vote at a future commission meeting.

No council vote was recorded at the study session; the amendment was presented as a first reading and will return after the Planning Commission completes its review.

Council and planning staff said they were aiming to balance downtown character and business needs as the commission develops any final proposal.