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DATE: July 16, 2007
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Consider a request to amend Section 30-28 (d) of the City of
Beaumont Code of Ordinances related to allowing off-premise
digital advertising signs (billboards).
FILE: 717-OB
STAFF REPORT
The Planning Manager recommends approval of this request.
George Crawford, representing Lamar Advertising, came before the
Planning Commission on June 18, 2007 in a workshop session to
discuss amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow off-premise digital
advertising signs (billboards). The Planning Commission instructed
staff to develop regulations that would allow such billboards.
The Planning staff recommends the following ordinance amendments:
Section 30-4 (Definitions) -
Digital Billboard: An off-premise advertising sign displaying digital
static images controlled by electronic communications.
Section 30-28 (d) 3 (Advertising Signs Illumination) -
Illumination: Except for digital billboards as provided herein,
advertising signs may be illuminated only by indirect lighting subject
to the following conditions:
a. Signs which contain, include or are illuminated by
flashing, intermittent or moving lights are
prohibited, except for digital billboards, as defined
in this chapter. Signs giving public service
information such as, but not limited to, time, date,
temperature, weather or similar information shall
be permitted.
b. Lighting shall be shielded to prevent beams or rays
from being directed at any portion of a traveled
roadway or an occupied residential area and shall
not be of such intensity or brilliance as to cause
or impair vision.
STAFF REPORT continued
c. Digital billboards that are illuminated shall be
subject to the following restrictions:
a) The image or message shall be static or fixed
and lasting no less than ten (10) seconds;
b) The image or message shall change to another
image or message in a period of two seconds or
less;
c) The image or message shall not be animated,
flashing, scrolling or contain video imagery;
d) The image or message shall adjust its brightness
as ambient light levels change so as not to be
visually distracting; and
e) The digital billboard shall contain a default
design that will freeze the sign=s image or
message if a malfunction occurs.