Electronic message sign proposal to be reworked

Wed, May 14, 2008

Controversial proposed regulations for electronic message signs in Grand Haven are being sent back to the drawing board.

As proposed, the rules would have included restricting such signs to only text, prohibit moving pictures and graphics, prohibit scrolling and flashing messages, require each message to remain on for at least 8 seconds, limit text to one color and size, and limit "each message interval to a complete thought or idea."

The city's Planning Commission held a public hearing for the case at its meeting last month, but the five commissioners attending that meeting — although a legal quorum — felt more of the nine commissioners should be present to make a decision. They put off action on the case, which would be a recommendation to City Council on the new rules, until at least Tuesday.

Commission Chairman Bob Monetza warned the audience ahead of the time at Tuesday's meeting that he would only accept additional public comment if it was new information.

A few owners of businesses on Beacon Boulevard, the only place in the city where commercial electronic message signs are allowed, spoke in opposition of the proposal on Tuesday.

Two members of the public also spoke at the meeting, both supporting more regulation of electronic message signs.

"Long before this even became an issue, I was like, boy, the red and the blue — when it flashes — made me feel the police (were present)," Douglas Grayson, 1036 Columbus Ave., said of the flashing sign at Ray's Drive-In, 20 N. Beacon. "If it catches the corner of my eye, it is very distracting."

Jim Van Tol of Advanced Signs of Ferrysburg said Grand Haven's current ordinance already fully regulates such signs. He said the present ordinance permits the face size of commercial signs to no more than 40 square feet, which would include any electronic sign in the total.

"The way the ordinance reads currently is more than adequate," Van Tol told the commission.

Commissioner Mark Knudsen said a recent court case in Kentucky found there were no proven safety issues over such signs, and he didn't feel having them along the U.S. 31 corridor affected Grand Haven's "character."

"I find the guy in the chicken suit trying to sell me pizza far more distracting than these," Knudsen added.

Some commissioners were ready to strike a few of the items listed in the proposed new regulations, while keeping other items to forward to City Council. However, the commission voted 8-0 to postpone action again to give City Planning Director Kristen Keery time to develop a toned-down proposed list of rules. Commissioner Steve Harvey was absent Tuesday.

In March, City Council set a moratorium on issuing new permits for electronic message signs until Sept. 1.

Keery said she would use the public input and commissioners' comments to craft the new proposal. She said the commission will hold another public hearing on the case before considering a recommendation to council when she brings back a new proposal.