Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dayton EDA weighs multi-tenant digital sign and ordinance changes for Balsam corridor
Summary
EDA members debated a proposal for a multi-tenant/digital gateway sign for the Balsam (Rainree) corridor, including funding by businesses, possible easements from private sign owners, and whether amendments to the sign ordinance (height and digital allowances) are required.
Members of the Dayton Economic Development Authority spent substantial time discussing a proposed gateway/multi-tenant sign for the Balsam corridor (sometimes referred to as Rainree/Rain Tree Plaza). Staff presented options ranging from static multi-tenant plaques to a larger digital display; issues raised included city code limits (an existing 8-foot height that has elsewhere been increased to 16 feet in some business districts), whether the city would own the sign and lease space to businesses, and the potential need to amend the sign ordinance citywide to permit a larger digital display.
Several commissioners supported a digital, multi-tenant approach that could rotate business listings every 15 seconds, while others cautioned that a large easement-based sign might deter future redevelopment of the private parcel where a sign would be sited. Commissioners discussed whether costs would be covered by subscribing businesses and whether the EDA should pursue an easement from a private sign owner; staff said the city could own the sign if the EDA sponsored the project and collect leasing revenue.
Why it matters: commissioners said better gateway signage could increase business visibility on the corridor and support retention and recruitment of tenants, but acknowledged aesthetic, regulatory and redevelopment trade-offs. Members recommended further work to determine the number of businesses that would use the sign, vendor pricing, and whether a code amendment would be required.
Next steps: staff will gather vendor quotes, identify potential easement locations and draft options for an ordinance amendment if needed. Commissioners asked for visual examples, cost estimates and a business-interest survey before moving forward.
