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Commission backs text amendment and special use to add electronic message board at Hillcrest Elementary (433 Depot St.)
Summary
The commission recommended a zoning code amendment and approved a special use allowing District 34 to retrofit an existing monument sign at 433 Depot St. with an electronic message board for civic communication, subject to the village’s established brightness, content and hours restrictions.
The Antioch Planning & Zoning Commission on Oct. 21 recommended approval of PZB25-14, a proposed text amendment to allow electronic message boards as a special use for civic uses in residential districts, and approved a special-use request to retrofit the existing monument sign at 433 Depot St. (Hillcrest Elementary) with an electronic message board.
Village Planner Mark Janek explained the current zoning code permits electronic message boards only in business districts; the petition would add a limited exception allowing such boards as a special use tied to civic uses (for example, schools). Cortamok Mendez, director of operations for District 34, said the district has installed similar boards at other schools and that the local PTO raised most of the funds for those projects. "Most of the funds were raised by the community, by the PTO," Mendez said.
Commissioners asked about size, content and operation. Staff and the petitioner said the electronic portion would be roughly 3 feet tall within the existing monument structure (the full monument is about 6 ft. 11.5 in. to the top), that the district intends to follow prior local practice (no live portraits or full-motion broadcasts, limited animation), and that brightness will be reduced at night. Mendez said the district intends to turn the sign off after typical evening activities (around 9–10 p.m.) and turn it back on before school (about 6–7 a.m.).
Several commissioners cautioned against a broad, blanket change that would allow electronic signs for noncivic uses; Planner Janek and the chair clarified the amendment is narrowly written to allow electronic message boards only as a special use for civic uses, and that any proposed electronic sign would still come back to the commission for a special-use review. Commissioners also raised site-specific concerns for the Depot Street location (a cemetery across the street and a bike lane on Depot) and asked that brightness, content and traffic-safety effects be considered in the village-board review.
A motion to recommend approval with the condition that the sign follow the village’s existing restrictions for electronic signage passed by roll call. The commission’s recommendation will be considered by the village board for final approval.
