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Rangeley ordinance committee narrows EMC size, sets follow-up on marquees and appearance
Summary
At a Dec. 3 ordinance committee meeting, members approved language limiting the combined area of traditional signage and electronic message centers (EMCs) to a 32-square-foot aggregate, kept a one-EMC-per-lot restriction, and agreed to draft marquee and pixel/background standards before the Dec. 17 meeting.
Rangeley’s ordinance committee on Dec. 3 moved to clarify how the town will regulate internally illuminated signs and electronic message centers, adopting language that places a 32-square-foot cap on the combined area of traditional signs and EMCs.
The measure, proposed by Val and seconded by Scott, states in the ordinance draft: "In no case shall the combined area of traditional and electronic message centers exceed 32 square feet in aggregate." Val introduced the motion so the rule would apply whether a business used all traditional signage, all EMC signage, or a combination.
Committee members debated how the aggregate rule would apply to multiple businesses on a single lot, two-sided signs and double-sided displays, and whether a single lot should ever be allowed multiple EMCs. A motion to remove point f (the draft line limiting EMCs per lot) was made and defeated; later the committee accepted point f as written. The transcript records the votes and an abstention but does not provide a complete roll-call list for each recorded tally.
Members also voted to accept point g, which requires EMC operating software to be able to display current and factory brightness levels on request and requires sign owners or installers to certify that displays will not exceed specified brightness limits.
Beyond size and brightness, committee members asked staff to draft clearer marquee language to account for theaters and other historic features and debated visual standards for EMCs. Several members urged a dark background with muted letter colors and higher pixel density so an EMC "looks like a painted sign" rather than showing coarse dots. The committee asked staff to research marquee definitions and to return with proposed language at a follow-up meeting scheduled for Dec. 17.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of Nov. 19 minutes — motion moved and seconded; approved unanimously. • Motion (Val) to state that combined area of traditional and EMCs not exceed 32 sq ft (amended phrasing) — motion adopted. • Motion to remove point f (one EMC per lot) — motion failed. • Motion to accept point f as written (one EMC per lot) — motion adopted (vote counts recorded in meeting transcript; full roll-call not listed). • Motion to accept point g (software/brightness certification) — motion adopted.
What’s next: staff will draft marquee-definition language and suggested pixel/background standards for the committee to review at a special meeting on Dec. 17 so the ordinance can move forward to the public hearing process.
