Bethany Presbyterian’s request to run multiple electronic messages continued while staff consults traffic advisory board

Kim Bollinger, an elder and Stephen Minister at Bethany Presbyterian Church, told the board the church purchased and installed a multicolor LED sign to better communicate events and services to the surrounding neighborhood at 3000 Dewey Avenue. Bollinger said the church seeks flexibility in message count to post community notices, program schedules, holiday events and information for groups that use the building.

"We're requesting 20 messages in a 24-hour period," Bollinger told the hearing, explaining the frequency is intended to cover heavy-use windows such as Christmas and Easter seasons and daytime community programs. Board members raised concerns that frequent scrolling messaging on busy Dewey Avenue could distract drivers and set a precedent for other electronic signs. Several members noted that quasi‑governmental entities and schools may be exempt from the one-message-per-day standard and asked staff to check prior approvals.

Staff was asked to consult the traffic advisory committee and police department and to review prior decisions on electronic signage. The board voted to continue the application to the Sept. 15 meeting to allow the church to work with staff on a timed message plan and to gather traffic and precedent guidance.