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Council directs staff to research LED sign ordinance updates after South Point High School request
Summary
After a request from South Point High School to update an LED message board, Belmont City Council directed staff to analyze targeted changes to the sign ordinance (timing, color, and message rotation) and return with recommended text amendments or options such as conditional zoning.
Belmont City Council on Aug. 19, 2024, instructed staff to research potential updates to the city’s sign ordinance after a request from South Point High School about modernizing its LED message board.
Staff advised the code currently includes restrictions such as monochrome messaging and minimum message-rotation intervals that may be outdated for modern LED displays. Jason summarized that the high school’s board currently uses monochrome red letters, and school representatives asked whether multi-color displays and shorter rotation intervals (e.g., 30–60 seconds) could be permitted for event notices. Staff emphasized that content cannot be regulated on the basis of viewpoint and recommended either a property-specific conditional zoning application (used previously for the botanical garden sign) or a citywide text amendment; both routes require public notice and hearings.
Council favored a targeted, phased approach: instruct staff to analyze the specific ordinance sections that block the school’s requested functionality, craft language applicable citywide, and identify community-notice and enforcement options. Catherine moved to direct staff to investigate and prepare potential text amendments; Alex seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. Staff said they would evaluate impacts to residential neighbors, propose appropriate time or color limits, and consider emergency messaging (amber alerts) functionality.
What's next: staff will prepare an analysis and draft language for council review; the transcript records direction to staff but does not show a specific timetable for bringing back a draft to the Planning & Zoning Board or council.
