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LED ( similar) Advertising Signs

• City Council Workshop
• March 20, 2007

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Overview

• Citizens and Council Members have voiced concerns
  about certain types of illuminated, changeable,
  animated and/or moving advertising signs,
  primarily LED or LED-type signs
• Current technology allows for greater
  flexibility, and easier design modification of
  vivid, bright changeable copy, animation and/or
  moving graphics

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Current Wichita Regulation

• LED-type signs with variable message, animation,
  flashing and/or moving graphics are allowed by
  right in commercial and industrial districts
• LED-type changeable, flashing, animated or moving
  signs are often restricted in zoning overlays
  (CUPs, PUDs, POs)
• Such signs may be allowed by adjustment process
  or BZA variance in less intense districts, or in
  overlays
• Not restricted/disallowed by Sign Code on
  historic buildings, in historic districts or in
  historic environs
• No specific standards or authority in Sign Code
  to regulate or control light intensity,
  brightness, etc.

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Background

• At direction of City Manager and Council, staff
  reviewed possible approaches with industry in
  November and early December
• On 12/12/06, staff presented overview and
  possible approaches to Council, including
• aggressive, highly limiting regulatory approach
• detailed and very specific regulatory approach
• moderate/cooperative regulatory approach and
• voluntary compliance approach
• Council directed staff to present to DABs to
  obtain public input
• Presented issue to all DABs during January

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DAB Summary

• General recommendations from DABs
• All DABs expressed concerns about brightness
  light intensity, especially at night, and
  particularly near residential areas. Based on
  comments/specific motions, all DABS supported
  regulation using the suggested moderate-cooperati
  ve approach (some DAB comments from District I
  supporting a voluntary compliance approach
  first).
• Feedback on grand fathering of existing LED
  signs
• DABs II and III suggested that existing signs be
  made to comply within reasonable time-frame
• DABs I IV suggested that existing signs be
  grand fathered
• DABs V VI made no specific comment or
  recommendation

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DAB Summary

• Historic buildings and districts
• DABs I VI some commenters suggested LED signs
  be disallowed in historic districts or on
  historic structures
• DAB III some commenters suggested that LED
  signs in historic districts be more strictly
  regulated (size, copy change speed)
• DABs II, IV and V provided no specific comments
• Setbacks
• DABs II, III VI commented on LED sign setbacks
  Commenters at DABs II III suggested increased
  setbacks of ground signs from streets, and DAB VI
  commenters suggested increased setbacks for all
  LED signs (including ground wall signs) from
  streets and intersections

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Moderate/Cooperative Approach

• Focus on front-end application requirements, and
  additional code language to regulate light
  intensity and brightness controls/standards
• Require built-in automated light intensity and
  dimming controls for such signs prior to permit
  issuance (light detectors/photocells, dimming
  timers, computer controls) that will reduce
  NITs or MCDs to between 2,000 3,500 at
  night (other ambient night lighting may effect
  maximum allowed) this is about 20 - 35 of the
  maximum light intensity for most LED signs
• Require letter from sign manufacturer and/or sign
  contractor outlining nature of automated
  controls/capabilities for permit approval
• Require acknowledgement letter from sign user
  (business operator) regarding standards/operating
  requirements
• Add code language giving City authority to
  require sign contractors or business owners to
  check, reduce and/or further control light
  intensity/brightness

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Other Considerations Historic Preservation

• The HPB has reviewed and suggested standards for
  LED-type signs, including
• Individual properties listed on historic
  registers, and contributing properties within
  National Register Historic Districts
• No LED signs should be allowed except for theater
  marquees, which will be considered on a
  case-by-case basis by the HPB
• If LED signs are allowed on a theater, they
  should not utilize any audio effects
• LED sign component must be part of an overall
  sign package that serves the theater. LED signs
  that contain no design component other than an
  LED reader board (and cabinet) should not be
  allowed

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Other Considerations Historic Preservation

• Properties within the Environs of a designated
  historic property and properties within the
  Environs of a National Register Historic District
  
• Dimming capability required (light sensor or
  programmed by computer). User must submit
  documentation of this capability and signature
  that commits to compliance with application for
  review.
• Animation, scrolling text, moving images,
  flashing images or audio not allowed.
• Length of time per image Image or message cannot
  change more than once every 5 seconds.
• No more than one LED sign per building or
  building parcel (includes both wall and ground
  signs). 
• Sign size Should not exceed 10 of a building
  façade area with a maximum allowed size of 200
  square feet. Note HPB may recommend further
  size reduction if sign is within a line of sight
  of a register-listed property or district.
•  LED component must be part of an overall sign
  design. LED signs that contain no design
  component other than the LED reader board and
  cabinet will not be allowed.

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Other Considerations Setbacks

• If minimum setbacks from streets and/or
  intersections are desired, consider the following
  guidelines
• LED ground signs to be set back a minimum
  distance from ROW line/s (e.g., 10)
• Could require increased setback for larger signs
  (e.g., minimum 10 setback for LED signs up to 16
  square feet, 15 minimum setback for LED signs
  from 16 square feet to 32 square feet, and
  minimum of 20 for LED signs greater than 32
  square feet)

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Other Considerations Grand Fathering

• If grand fathering of existing LED signs is not
  allowed, provide a reasonable time-frame for
  retrofitting compliance
• Minimum of 6-9 months is recommended for
  retrofitting/ compliance with brightness/light
  intensity standards
• If greater setbacks are required, owners cost to
  move signs may be significant, and compliance
  time-frame may need to be longer (or an exception
  to allow grand fathering in this instance could
  be included)
• If LED signs are not allowed in historic
  districts or on historic buildings, could
  consider exception to allow existing LED signs to
  remain, but with new dimming and light intensity
  controls installed per new standards (e.g., the
  Orpheum Theater sign)

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Thank you.Questions?