Council fails to waive second reading on Washington Plaza digital billboard variance

Council members spent significant time on a first reading of a request from Civic Digital Displays LLC for a large billboard variance at 1 Washington Plaza before a procedural motion to waive the second reading failed.

Planning staff explained the sign would be classified as a billboard under the city’s sign code because it would advertise goods or services not offered on the premises and would include a digital component. Staff estimated the updated ground sign would total roughly 425 square feet and would replace about 10 tenant panel signs. John, speaking for planning staff, said the sign would be "a little bit wider than what it is currently, and have the digital component that is not there currently."

Alderson Martin, chair of the Economic Development Commission, supported waiving the second reading so the sign could be ordered and installed as part of the larger Sunnyland Plaza project. Martin said ordering the sign now — which takes "a couple months" to arrive — would allow it to be part of the plaza improvements and used for business and community messaging.

Planning and zoning commissioners had approved the variance by a 4‑3 vote; planning staff relayed that some commissioners were concerned about the precedent such a variance could set and noted a pending zoning code amendment regarding billboard allowances.

A motion to waive the second reading was moved and seconded; the mayor and city attorney explained waiving requires six affirmative votes. The motion failed for lack of the required six votes and the mayor said the ordinance will be back on a council agenda in 14 days. Council members opposing the waiver said their objection was procedural, intended to allow absent members to review the matter.

No substantive council vote on the underlying variance was taken at the July 6 meeting; the request remains scheduled for future consideration.