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Proposed Changes to Sign Ordinance April 29, 1992 ~',~+"cJ) TPage !Ol ISSUE: Flashing Signs and Electronic Reader Boards EXISTING ORDINANCE: Flashing and Rotating signs are proWbited in the ordinance. However it has been City policy to allow flashing signs if the message remains fixed for at least 13 minutes. PRINCIPLE BEIDND EXISTING ORDINANCE: Since flashing signs can be distracting to a person driving a car, these type of signs have been prohibited. Signs that have a message remaining fixed for 13 minutes have been allowed because it was believed that this was a sufficient time period for someone in a car to see the sign but not be distracted by its changing message. PROBl,¡EM WITH EXISTING ORDINANCE: Some people have voiced the opinion that flashing signs should be prohibited altogether. The 13 minute policy is seen as nearly impossible to enforce and an inadequate measure of how long a message should remain fixed before it is deemed to be a flashing sign. PossmLE SOLUTIONS: 1) Prohibit any sign that displays moving parts. is illuminated with any flashing or intennittent lights~ ~ated e:x.cept fnr timl" :mtj telRper.atYFe infumlatiðft. ~CL.t...tD'E- I 2) The City could also allow electronic reader boards. However. it should state in the ordinance exactly how long a message must be fixed before it is deemed to be a flashing sign. For instance. a flashing sign can only display on-premise advertising (loan interest rates. hours of operation. etc.) and only of it remains unchanged for 90 seconds. This. however, brings back the issue of enforcement difficulties. . D..... I '5 u P f-1 ,,~~ I -h ~ F-"'"..-, Penalties for non-confonnance can be imposed, with a provision for turning off the sign if the sign's message consistently exceeds 90 seconds. ~LI Hòuß The following provisions should also be included: State that "All displays shall be shielded to prevent light from being directed at oncoming traffic in such brilliance as to impair the vision of any driver. No device shall be illuminated in such a manner as to interfere with or obscure an official traffic sign or signal. This includes indoor signs which are visible from þublic streets." ProWbit "illuminated signs or spotlights that give off an intermittent or rotating beam existing as a collection or concentration of rays and light. revolving beacons. beamed lights and lasers. or similar devices. "