Electronic & Digital Signs
April 5, 2017
Sign Code Re-write Process
Updating a piecemeal code that saw its last major revisions in 2007 and 1999
Comprehensive Plan High Priority Goal
PC Goals: Simplify, balance business with community needs, consistent with plans
Government interest in regulating signs: Aesthetics, Traffic Safety, Protection of Property Values
Process is on-going and will likely run through the calendar year
Expectations, Goals & Questions
Your participation, opinions and views on these electronic and digital signs (and future participation)
Share information/sign technology Identify user groups and individuals that should be involved (residents, visitors,
peds, drivers, bus. owners) Do you own an Electronic Sign? Are they effective? Advantages & Disadvantages? Complaints & Issues? How to ensure adopted standards reflect goals?
Sign Types & Technologies
There are many types of signs. Effective signs have common traits: Express identity of the business
Compatible with visual character of surrounding area
Legible under the circumstances in which they are seen
Not likely to distract drivers to a dangerous degree
Focus on Electronic and Digital Signs
Traditional/Manual Changeable Copy Signs
Tri-Vision Boards
Electronic Changeable Copy Signs (AKA Electronic Message Centers)
Defined by the USSC as: “An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed by computer from a remote location. EMC’s typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a lighting source.
Types of Electronic Message Centers
Static Animated Intermittent
Video Signs
How are the New Electronic Signs Different from Traditional Signs?
Drivers make twice as many and longer glances at active signs than they do at passive/static signs.
Flashing messages are more distracting, less comprehensible, and require more reading time.
Visually complex locations, e.g., intersections, compound the distraction problem.
Scrolling messages require viewers to concentrate; how long depends on size, resolution, length of message
Anticipation of a new image appearing may distract drivers who feel compelled to wait for the change.
Electronic Message Centers – Contrasting Views
Increases Visual Clutter
Distracting to Motorists creating Traffic Safety Risks
May create light pollution
More Effective Business Identification Relative to Cost
Multiple Tenants can AdvertiseQuick & Remote Sign Copy
ChangesCan Communicate Community
Events & Information
How to achieve benefits of EMCs while minimizing risk and addressing concerns?
What we Know (Soldotna Stats)
20 Electronic Message Center Signs in Soldotna
Full graphic & color/animated
1 color graphics
Scrolling text/intermittent
Multi-line text/intermittent
Static text
Most installed after 2007
Average size = 31.9 sf
Sign Code Standards Universal to All Sign Types
Sign Area
Height
Placement (setbacks)
Number
Illumination
Zoning Districts
Sign Types
Sign Code Standards Specific to Electronic & Video Signs
Brightness (e.g., daytime vs. nighttime limits)
Movement (flashing, strobing, racing)
Color
Setbacks (e.g., from R districts)
Operational mode (message duration, transitions, animation, video)
Spacing (minimum separation from similar signs)
Audio
Brightness
Consider Brightness by Zoning District
Movement
Flashing/Strobing Scrolling/Racing Animation Video
Where are they Appropriate?
Commercial
Limited Commercial
Institutional
Industrial
Parks
Residential
Only on the Sterling and/or Spur Highways?
Commercial Zoning District
Limited Commercial Zoning District
Institutional & Parks Zoning District
Institutional & Parks Zoning District
Spacing
Should there be a minimum spacing requirement between signs and from Residential areas?
Intersections?
Parks or scenic areas?
How Big?
Many limit the size of a sign face that can be used for digital displays. Thirty percent is common although in some entertainment districts the proportion is higher.
Final Thoughts
Input will be shared with Planning Commission Process will continue for several months Stay informed by signing up for e-mail notificationsContinue to participate and share your thoughtsWho are we missing? Others that should be involved?