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Spanish Fort council weighs new digital sign rules, moves forward companion rezoning for auto‑parts use
Summary
City staff proposed a zoning amendment to allow one regulated digital ground sign per parcel in specified commercial and industrial districts, imposing hourly message changes, strict brightness and size limits, and a 100‑foot setback from residences; staff also introduced a companion rezoning to permit auto‑parts sales at 9917‑A Spanish Fort Boulevard.
City staff presented a zoning amendment and a companion rezoning request aimed at managing electronic signage while enabling certain commercial uses.
David Connor told the council the proposed amendment to the zoning code (add section 8.8 and change Table 6.4) would permit one digital or electronic ground sign per parcel in specified business and industrial districts, subject to strict limits. His summary included technical constraints: the digital portion of a ground sign would be limited to 60 square feet and only used for on‑premises advertising; messages must remain static between hourly changes, which would be allowed at the top of each hour and the physical transition must complete in 0.5 seconds or less. The sign must not operate at more than 0.3 foot‑candles over ambient light measured at 150 feet, must have an operational light sensor, and may not be authorized within 100 feet of a residential district. City‑operated signs would be excepted for emergency messaging such as Amber Alerts.
"This will allow the city council to operate those signs and make those determinations along with the mayor," Connor said, explaining the city exception for emergency messaging and the rationale to limit motorist distraction.
Councilmembers asked staff to confirm whether several existing digital displays (notably near Papa John’s and Mapco) would meet a 100‑foot separation requirement; Connor emphasized those were previously authorized limited gas‑price signs and differ from the proposed ground signs and agreed to check distances and criteria before implementation.
Connor also introduced a companion rezoning proposal (07‑21‑2025) for the former CVS at 9917‑A Spanish Fort Boulevard to reclassify the parcel to B‑3 (rather than B‑4) so an applicant could operate an auto‑parts sales business with Planning Commission approval. The Planning Commission recommended rezoning to B‑3 and forwarded the proposal for the council to consider at the Sept. 2 agenda.
What happens next: The zoning amendment will appear for a public hearing at the Sept. 2 meeting; staff will verify existing sign distances and return with findings before any final approvals.
