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Resident asks Escalon council to enforce sign code over bright LED at United Methodist Church
Summary
A neighbor urged the council to require changes or removal of a two‑sided LED sign at United Methodist Church (2000 Jackson Ave.), citing repeated unsuccessful attempts to get the church to slow message changes, dim brightness or shield light and citing municipal sign provisions and Caltrans guidance.
At the meeting’s matters from the audience, resident Miss Lewis described prolonged efforts to resolve a lighting nuisance from a two‑sided LED sign at United Methodist Church at 2000 Jackson Avenue and asked the council to place the item on a future agenda.
Miss Lewis said she lives next door to a laundromat near the church and that the LED screen’s brightness and five‑second message changes have repeatedly illuminated her dining room, living room and master bedroom. She said parishioner Mary Panaro controls the sign’s programming and that, despite multiple requests since August 2023, the church has not implemented agreed changes. "I would like to move towards removal," Miss Lewis said, adding she believes the installation violated local sign codes.
Miss Lewis cited the city's municipal code provisions on prohibited signs and on sign regulation and said some LED signs have been prohibited in nearby cities, while also noting Caltrans guidance because of the sign’s proximity to a highway curve. City staff acknowledged the complaint and said the matter could be scheduled for a future agenda item for follow‑up; the council did not take immediate enforcement action during the meeting.
The complaint raised questions for staff about code interpretation and enforcement options, and councilmembers asked staff to coordinate further communication with the church and to report back on legal and regulatory next steps.
