Planning commission approves electronic message sign for Bartlesville Masonic Lodge with dimming and permit conditions

The Bartlesville Planning Commission on an unspecified date approved a comprehensive sign plan permitting the Bartlesville Masonic Lodge No. 284 to install a 15-foot-high, 40-square-foot electronic message center (EMC) at 610 Northeast Washington Boulevard while retaining an existing monument sign, city planner Holly Mayhew said.

The approval was conditioned on standard permit requirements and the staff recommendations, which include obtaining a sign permit before installation, meeting building-code requirements including wind-load ratings, and equipping the EMC with automatic dimming or a shutoff to limit illumination to no more than 0.2 foot-candles over ambient at the nearest residential property line or to remain off between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the staff report says. Holly Mayhew summarized staff’s rationale: "Therefore, staff supports the use of a comprehensive sign plan as a reasonable interpretation of the code consistent with its stated intent." (Holly Mayhew, city planner).

Why it matters: the proposed EMC would improve the lodge’s ability to post event and fundraising information, but it requires deviations from spacing and separation rules in the sign code. Staff noted the EMC would be approximately 43 feet from the existing monument sign — a separation deficiency of 107 feet compared with the 150-foot spacing requirement — and about 49 feet from the nearest residential zoning district, a shortfall of 51 feet against the 100-foot residential-distance requirement.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement and measurement of light levels. One commissioner asked, "So who is in charge of measuring... 0.2 foot-candles... at dark or at dusk?" (Committee member, speaker 1). Mayhew responded that manufacturers must document illumination on sign plans submitted for a permit and that the city’s code-enforcement staff "has the ability to measure those lumens" in the event of a complaint.

The motion to approve the comprehensive sign plan, made with staff recommendations, was moved by a commissioner (speaker 7) and seconded by another commissioner (speaker 1). The clerk called the roll and the motion passed with the commissioners recorded as voting Aye.

Implementation and next steps: the applicant must apply and receive a sign permit and supply the manufacturer’s illumination specifications; the sign must include an automatic-dimming feature or default to a black screen during malfunctions and must meet building-code wind-load requirements before installation. The city’s code-enforcement team will respond to any complaints regarding brightness or malfunctioning features.

The commission moved directly from the staff presentation to the motion and vote; no public commenters spoke on this item.