Dynamic Signs

This morning, the Council adopted new regulations regarding "dynamic signs," signage that incorporates large LCD TV-style screens. For the most part, I support these new standards.

However, the Council also undid some good work from the Zoning and Planning committee. The committee, acting on a motion I made, voted to restrict these new signs from Pedestrian Oriented (or PO) Overlay Districts. This morning, the Council majority voted to strip out those protections on an 8-5 vote.

I believe that these dynamic signs are not in keeping with the intent of PO districts. They are clearly aimed at drivers. Tellingly, the only types of businesses that have approached the City looking to install these signs so far are gas stations.

This restriction was also in keeping with the existing signage regulations in PO districts. We already prohibit "pole signs, backlit awning and canopy signs and backlit insertable panel projecting signs" in PO districts, because these signs are aimed primarily at drivers, just like dynamic signs.

Ignoring all of this, the Council majority voted to eliminate these protections for PO districts. They even rejected a compromise that would have allowed new dynamic signs in PO districts at sites that currently have manually changeable electronic signs.

Here are the votes. In favor of restricting dynamic signs in PO districts: Reich, Hofstede, Schiff, Tuthill and me. Opposed: Johnson, Samuels, Lilligren, Goodman, Glidden, Quincy, Colvin Roy, Hodges.