No on Electronic Message Signs

Update: At their meeting Tuesday night, the city council voted not to approve electronic message signs for businesses on I-35. The vote was 5 – 2 to leave the development code unchanged regarding sign rules.
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Tonight the city council will consider a change to development rules that would allow changeable electronic message signs for businesses along Interstate 35.

The proposed change to the City’s development code will be considered on first reading at their regular meeting. The proposal is one of several development code changes suggested through an annual review process.

One sign with a changeable electronic message would be allowed only for a commercial property zoned C-1 or C-3. The property must be in City Limits, have direct driveway access to the I-35 frontage road, and have a main entrance that faces the I-35 frontage road.

Under the new rule, messages could change only once per hour and would be limited to letters and numbers. Animation, logos, or pictures would not be permitted. Messages could not scroll, blink, change color, twirl, or fade in-and-out and would be limited to display in an amber color with a black background.

The size of the sign is limited to 20 percent of the allowable sign size with a maximum of 32 square-feet. Height limits for signs are unchanged.

The proposal was approved 5 – 2 by the planning and zoning commission at their meeting on October 6.

The city council meeting on Tuesday, October 27 starts at 6 p.m. at the Council Chamber and Court Building located at 101 E. Seventh Street.