The Omaha Planning Board voted 5–0 to approve a major amendment to the conditional use permit for Saint Andrews Episcopal Church to allow a new electronic message board, and the board removed a staff condition that would have required the sign to be lowered to 6 feet.

Dan Loring, a parishioner speaking for Saint Andrews, described expanded community use of the church and said a programmable message center would help publicize services and nonprofit activities. Loring said the church has hosted music events, youth groups and community organizations and that attendance has grown since the rector arrived: "Our small church has grown 60% in the 3 years since Father Keith arrived," he told the board.

Andy Nelson of American Lift and Sign explained the proposed electronic display would change messages no faster than every 10 seconds, operate only during agreed hours (roughly 7 a.m.–9 p.m.) and not run video or commercial advertising. The applicant asked the board to remove condition 1 in the staff report, which required redesigning the sign to conform to a strict 6‑foot maximum; staff confirmed the item is also scheduled for the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance on height.

Board members said the proposed sign was an aesthetic improvement and, after a motion to approve the amendment with deletion of condition 1, voted 5–0 in favor. Staff will coordinate the City’s ZBA hearing as required for the related variance.

Next steps: the item will be forwarded consistent with the board’s action and the related ZBA variance process.