Planning commission recommends electronic church sign with brightness and hour limits

The Newport News Planning Commission on Nov. 5 recommended approval of a conditional use permit for Ivy Baptist Church to replace its existing reader board with an electronic display sign at 50 Maple Avenue (CU2025Tax0008). The vote was unanimous, 6–0, and the matter will go to City Council on Dec. 9, 2025.

Staff said the church’s property is designated in the comprehensive plan for community facilities and that the proposed display complies with the sign ordinance’s size and height restrictions. The proposed sign will be 7.5 feet tall with a 19.9‑square‑foot electronic display area, both below the maximums allowed by ordinance.

To reduce impacts on nearby residences, staff recommended and the commission included conditions that limit illumination between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., cap daytime display brightness and require automatic dimming responsive to ambient light. The staff report set numeric limits (no greater than 10,000 foot‑candles from sunrise to sunset and no greater than 700 foot‑candles between sunset and 10 p.m.), and it prohibits flashing, scrolling or intermittent illumination.

Trustee Gail Chalmers said the church intends to replace—rather than add to—the existing sign and confirmed the sign will be dark between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. "It will cut off," Chalmers said during the hearing. Planning staff noted that all 14 conditions will be included in the ordinance forwarded to council.

The commission’s action was procedural and advisory; City Council will consider the ordinance and conditions at its Dec. 9 meeting.