Above: Electronic Signs in Times Square
A more common Electronic Message BoardA part of the Borough zoning codes are meant to address the size and placement of signs within the community. Good signs are important to help find the location of businesses. However, badly placed signs can block lines or sight for motorists. Brightly lit signs can cause temporary night blindness or distractions to drivers.
The Borough sign code was written when all signs were permanently lettered, and made of wood, metal or plastic. The latest trend in signs is for the use of LED lights or lighted monitors. Unlike the older styles of signs, these signs are programmable to change messages quickly and easily. For both businesses and the community as a whole, these signs have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
These signs have the ability to advertise more than one business product or service at a single location. The Community can actually have less sign clutter, as fewer signs are needed.
Businesses can change their message to promote special sales.
Community groups and nonprofit organizations can advertise their events on prominent business signs.
If there are not too many of them, Electronic signs catch people’s attention
Some people think that electronic signs lend a prosperous, hi-tech appearance to a business or community.
Disadvantages:
Because they attract attention, there is a greater chance for driver distraction by electronic signs. Driver distraction causes accidents.
Some of the LED lights are more intense and can make it harder for drivers to adjust their eyes to the dark after looking at electronic signs, especially at night.
Some people do not like the appearance of electronic signs as they take away from small town ambiance or look inappropriate on historic buildings
Because electronic signs are changeable, they can have a very distracting message that changes quickly to a less distracting message. This makes it hard for zoning to regulate, as zoning deals best with more permanent matters, such as structures and buildings.
As the Borough Planning Commission discussed the regulation of electronic signs, all of the pros and cons were discussed, The Commission is looking to amend the zoning code to require that new electronic signs have a programming plan, and agree to limit their light output to avoid unnecessary glare. It was also agreed to discourage these signs from the view of residential areas to prevent light pollution. The Planning Commission had other questions about how and where electronic signs should be used within business and commercial areas.
If electronic signs were restricted to only downtown areas it would potentially help revitalize the downtown by creating a vibrant exciting appearance. However, it might detract from the small town downtown historic character. If electronic sign were allowed in major traffic corridors, such as Oakland Avenue, They are more likely to become a traffic nuisance or distraction to motorists.
We would like to hear from you…………….
Should the Borough encourage electronic signs, or discourage their use?
Are they a good thing in the Downtown?
Are they good thing in business areas along major traffic roads?
Please use the comment box to let us know your feelings.
The Borough sign code was written when all signs were permanently lettered, and made of wood, metal or plastic. The latest trend in signs is for the use of LED lights or lighted monitors. Unlike the older styles of signs, these signs are programmable to change messages quickly and easily. For both businesses and the community as a whole, these signs have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
These signs have the ability to advertise more than one business product or service at a single location. The Community can actually have less sign clutter, as fewer signs are needed.
Businesses can change their message to promote special sales.
Community groups and nonprofit organizations can advertise their events on prominent business signs.
If there are not too many of them, Electronic signs catch people’s attention
Some people think that electronic signs lend a prosperous, hi-tech appearance to a business or community.
Disadvantages:
Because they attract attention, there is a greater chance for driver distraction by electronic signs. Driver distraction causes accidents.
Some of the LED lights are more intense and can make it harder for drivers to adjust their eyes to the dark after looking at electronic signs, especially at night.
Some people do not like the appearance of electronic signs as they take away from small town ambiance or look inappropriate on historic buildings
Because electronic signs are changeable, they can have a very distracting message that changes quickly to a less distracting message. This makes it hard for zoning to regulate, as zoning deals best with more permanent matters, such as structures and buildings.
As the Borough Planning Commission discussed the regulation of electronic signs, all of the pros and cons were discussed, The Commission is looking to amend the zoning code to require that new electronic signs have a programming plan, and agree to limit their light output to avoid unnecessary glare. It was also agreed to discourage these signs from the view of residential areas to prevent light pollution. The Planning Commission had other questions about how and where electronic signs should be used within business and commercial areas.
If electronic signs were restricted to only downtown areas it would potentially help revitalize the downtown by creating a vibrant exciting appearance. However, it might detract from the small town downtown historic character. If electronic sign were allowed in major traffic corridors, such as Oakland Avenue, They are more likely to become a traffic nuisance or distraction to motorists.
We would like to hear from you…………….
Should the Borough encourage electronic signs, or discourage their use?
Are they a good thing in the Downtown?
Are they good thing in business areas along major traffic roads?
Please use the comment box to let us know your feelings.
