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Board approves electronic billboard on Saint Joe Avenue with dimming and height conditions after neighbor concerns
Summary
The Board approved a variance to install a 300-square-foot electronic message billboard at 711 N. St. Joseph Ave., imposing conditions that the sign’s brightness be dimmed to 10% from dusk to dawn and that the bottom of the sign be at least 30 feet above grade to reduce light intrusion; neighbors raised concerns about brightness, message change frequency and proximity to nearby residences including a household with a deaf occupant.
Roger Lehman of Lehman & Son Consulting and petitioner Jim Stauber asked the Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 19 to allow a 300-square-foot off-premises electronic message sign at 711 North St. Joseph Avenue. They said the location is in a commercial corridor with high traffic and nearby businesses and that the sign’s intended function includes community messaging and school recognition.
Several neighbors and property owners — including Lloyd Bridal and Cindy Bright — spoke as remonstrators about the sign’s proximity to residences in the same block, the frequency of message changes on digital displays and light intrusion at night. One neighbor noted a household with a deaf occupant living roughly 13–14 feet from the sign’s proposed location, expressing concern about constant changing messages and brightness through bedroom windows. Staff clarified existing code requires either automatic dimming in correlation with ambient light or that message signs display only dark backgrounds from sunset to sunrise if automatic dimming is not used.
Petitioners voluntarily offered to dim the sign at night to 10% brightness. Board members asked about limiting height and gave guidance that a bottom-of-sign height of 30 feet would place the display above nearby rooflines; petitioners accepted the 30-foot suggestion. After discussion the board moved and approved the variance with conditions requiring dimming to 10% from dusk to dawn and a minimum bottom-of-sign height of 30 feet above grade. The roll call vote recorded six yes votes and no dissenters. The board directed staff to ensure the sign meets code requirements and to monitor compliance.
