(A) The inherent characteristic of electronic signs is their flexibility. This creates the potential for such signs to create an undue distraction to motorists if poorly placed or poorly programmed.
(B) These regulations are designed to encourage evolving methods of advertising, while preventing light pollution, and driver distraction hazards.
(1) A single LED window sign of up to two square feet in size is permitted in the C-1, C-2 and HCLI Commercial Districts for any business use. LED window signs shall not be included as part of calculations of total signage permitted.
(2) An electronic sign is permitted in the Residential Limited Commercial District and the Highway Commercial Light Industrial District as a conditional use. This sign must be an accessory portion of a freestanding monument sign, provided that the LED sign is no greater than 15 feet in surface area, and mounted on the same frame as a static freestanding sign. The area of the LED shall be included in total sign area calculations. The electronic sign shall also meet all the following design and performance standards and any additional safeguards that Borough Council requires as a part of the conditional use approval.
(a) Electronic sign content. Electronic signs may contain permanent content about any business located on the premises upon which the sign is placed. They may also contain temporary messages with content about such businesses, or temporary messages announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, provided that such message is changed upon the cessation of such a campaign, drive or event. Electronic signs may also contain messages permitted for temporary signs as authorized under § 156.126(B) and (D). Electronic signs may function as directional signs to guide drivers to other businesses within 2,000 feet of the sign’s location.
(b) Message display. Message display shall remain static for a minimum of five seconds. There shall be no strobe, flashing effect or other animation during the display. Any transitions or change of the display between messages shall not be more than one second. Transitions that involve fading, scrolling or other animations shall not be permitted.
(c) Illumination. The owner of the sign or his or her agent shall measure sign luminance with a luminance meter set to measure footcandles accurate to at least two decimals. Luminance shall be measured with the sign off, and again with the sign displaying a white image for a full color-capable sign, or a solid message for a single color sign. All measurements shall be taken perpendicular to the face of the sign at the distance determined by the total square footage of the sign. Electronic signs of ten square feet or less shall be measured at a distance of 32 feet. Electronic signs of greater than ten square feet shall be measured at a distance of 39 feet. The difference between the off and solid-message measurements using the criteria shall not exceed three-tenths footcandles at night. A letter certifying compliance shall be provided to the Zoning Officer.
(d) Dimming capabilities. All permitted electronic signs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or that can be adjusted to comply with the three-tenths footcandle measurement.
(e) Malfunctioning sign. Electronic signs which malfunction shall be turned off except for testing during any correction or repair.
(f) Additional setback from residential structures. All portions of the sign structure must be a minimum distance of 100 feet from an abutting residential structure.
(3) Pole signs with video or multicolored LED displays are permitted only as a conditional use I-1 Industrial District. In such cases:
(a) Programming plan. The developer shall submit a programming plan that shows any proposed use of animations, length of exposure for any message and transition time or proposed effects between individual messages. This shall include estimated motorist reaction time to proposed messages and symbols, based upon the United States Sign Council’s On-Premises Signs Guideline Standards, 2003 Edition. For planning purposes, the developer should assume all driving environments in the borough are complex, as defined in the guideline standards, except for multi-lane streets (such as West Main Street), which should be considered as such. The Borough Council may establish limits upon use of any special effects, transitions or length of message exposure as a reasonable additional condition and safeguard to the special exception;
(b) May function as billboards. Electronic signs may function as billboards in the I-1 Zoning District;
(c) May be freestanding or a facade or wall sign type. Electronic signs may be freestanding or a facade or wall sign type. Such signs shall meet all size, area and setback limitations for the district in which it is proposed. The size of an electronic sign shall be calculated based upon the surface dimensions that have the ability to display a symbol or message;
(d) Additional setback from residential districts. All portions of the sign structure must be a minimum distance of 100 feet from an abutting R-1A, R-1B, R-2, P-1 or RLC district boundary;
(e) Setback from other electronic changeable copy, electronic graphic display or video display signs. Electronic signs must be separated from other electronic signs by at least 35 feet. No more than one electronic sign is permitted per each property, regardless of how many tenants occupy that lot;
(f) Orientation. When located within 150 feet of a residentially-used lot in an R-1, R-2 or R-3 Residential Zone, all parts of the electronic changeable copy sign must be oriented so that no portion of the sign face is visible from an existing or permitted principal structure on that lot;
(g) Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics are prohibited in association with an electronic sign;
(h) The developer shall show compliance with all applicable regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for any proposed sign abutting a state highway; and
(i) The developer shall show the ability to meet illumination standards under § 156.128 of this chapter. The developer shall present material detailing any differences in proposed LED light as compared to standard light measurement.
(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 6, § 28-608) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 607; Ord. 1483, passed 1-17-2022, § 3) Penalty, see § 156.999