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Millville commissioners review draft allowing limited upgrades to digital message-board signs
Summary
Commissioners discussed an ordinance that would let owners upgrade existing analog signs to digital message boards under narrow rules on size, placement and message rotation; supporters said it reduces cost for small organizations while planners warned rules must be tight to protect residential areas.
Millville commissioners opened discussion on a draft ordinance to amend the city's land-use code to permit digital message-board sign upgrades for existing signs under limited circumstances.
The mayor's office presented the measure as a way to let businesses, churches and community organizations modernize existing signage without the expense and time of a zoning-board variance. A proponent said the ordinance allows an exact like-for-like upgrade in size and location while spelling out zones, size limits, illumination, and how messages may rotate.
"We want to be friendly to business that's in the town," one commissioner said, adding that the proposal seeks to avoid forcing small organizations to hire attorneys and pay expensive fees just to update a sign.
Planning staff and the drafting team'including Lou Gardy and Chris Dochney'said they revised multiple drafts to narrow allowances and address earlier attempts that failed for being too broad. The draft specifies where digital upgrades would be allowed, maximum dimensions, timing and message-rotation requirements, and proximity limits to residential zones.
Some commissioners and members of the public urged more transparency about how draft ordinances are shared in advance. Resident Tamara Davis told commissioners the proposed changes align with a 2025 master-plan recommendation to update the sign ordinance and to reflect new zoning districts.
"The sign ordinance revision should include consideration for permitting LED signs in various zoning districts," Davis said, urging coordination with the zoning officer to avoid confusion for applicants.
Supporters said the measure is only for existing signs and would not permit new, larger digital structures without board review. Commissioners also emphasized that two formal readings remain and that the public will have multiple opportunities to submit feedback before any adoption.
The commission moved the item forward for additional review; no vote was taken at the work session.
