(a) Changeable copy by non-electronic means may be utilized on any permitted sign.
(1) Electronic message centers shall not be permitted in the Uptown Historic District.
(2) In Residential Districts, electronic message centers are permitted for non-residential uses and shall be located as follows:
A. A minimum of 100 feet from an adjacent residential parcel, but not counting residential parcels across a public right-of-way, and
B. A minimum of 120 feet from a residential structure.
(3) In the C-1, C-3, C-4, and I Districts, electronic message centers are permitted in compliance with the following:
A. Setback from Residential Districts. The leading edge of the sign shall be a minimum distance of 100 feet from an abutting residential district boundary.
B. Orientation. When located within 150 feet of a residentially-used lot in a residential district, all parts of the electronic changeable copy sign shall be oriented so that no portion of the sign face is visible from an existing or permitted principal structure on such residential lot.
(4) An EMC sign may be a building sign or freestanding sign, provided it shall not exceed 80% of the total sign area of any sign or 40 sq. ft. whichever is less.
(5) EMC Illumination.
A. The brightness of the EMC's illuminance shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles above the ambient light level in accordance with the following procedure:
1. The illuminance of an EMC shall be measured with an illuminance meter set to measure foot candles accurate to at least two decimals.
2. Illuminance shall be measured with the EMC off, and again with the EMC displaying a white image for a full color-capable EMC, or a solid message for a single-color EMC.
3. All measurements shall be taken as close as practical to a perpendicular plane of the sign at the distance determined by the following formula: The square root of the Area of Sign in Sq. Ft x 100.
B. All permitted EMCs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination is programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3- foot candle measurements.
C. Each EMC sign shall be operated with monitoring and methods in place that shall either turn off the display, or show a full black image on the display, in the event of a malfunction that affects more than 50 percent of the EMC sign face.
(6) EMC signs shall have a minimum display time as follows:
A. In Residential and Limited Residential Business Districts, where permitted, EMC signs shall have a minimum display time of twelve (12) seconds. The transition time between messages and/or message frames is limited to one (1) second. The following EMC display features and functions are prohibited: scrolling, traveling, flashing, spinning, rotating, fade, dissolve, any other moving effects, and all dynamic frame effects or patterns of illusionary movement or simulating movement.
B. In nonresidential districts, EMC signs shall have a minimum display time of eight (8) seconds. The transition time between messages and/or message frames is limited to three (3) seconds. Transitions may employ fade, dissolve, and or other transition effects. The following EMC display features and functions are prohibited: continuous scrolling and/or traveling, flashing, spinning, rotating, and similar moving effects, and all dynamic frame effects or patterns of illusionary movement or simulating movement.
(c) Off-site Advertising Prohibited. Changeable copy signs shall not be used to display commercial messages relating to products or services that are not offered on the premises.
(Ord. 3073. Passed 6-13-19.)