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Lucas council reviews broad revisions to sign ordinance, debates electronic displays, model‑home and inflatable signs
Summary
Staff presented major updates to the sign ordinance (Chapter 3, Article 3.16). Council discussed standards for electronic signs (30‑second message minimum, 10 p.m. dark time), inflatable signage, model home/material rules and enforcement provisions; staff will revise language and return for public hearing.
Lucas staff brought a comprehensive update to the city’s sign ordinance to the City Council on Feb. 19, seeking direction before formal public hearings and adoption.
The proposed amendments update definitions, add technical controls for electronic signage, set placement and brightness standards, and clarify exempt signs. Staff said electronic messages would be required to remain on screen for a minimum of 30 seconds, transitions would be limited to 2 seconds, and electronic signs would be required to be turned off by 10 p.m. unless the business is open 24/7. The draft ties electronic‑sign brightness to foot‑candle limits at property lines.
Council discussed multiple elements at length. Some members asked to remove inflatable signs entirely from the draft, calling them an eyesore; staff had proposed allowing inflatables under limited circumstances for commercial grand openings and similar short events. A lively exchange focused on model‑home signage: the draft included language that model home signs be made of “same or similar material to main structure,” which prompted concern that the language could unintentionally require permanent masonry signs for short‑term uses. Council asked staff to separate temporary sign rules from model‑home/permanent sign standards and to propose a clear time threshold and maintenance requirement.
Other points: political signs were corrected to 36 square feet (as drafted it mistakenly read 36 feet), council considered changing standard realtor sign size from 6 to 8 square feet, and members debated whether school‑activity yard signs should have duration limits (several councilmembers recommended not imposing strict time limits on family or school signs and instead treating nuisances case‑by‑case).
Staff asked council to review the draft further and return recommended edits; legal review has been applied to ensure state law conformity and staff will return refined language for public hearings and adoption.
