(A) Restrictions on digital signs. It is essential to balance the needs of businesses with protecting the history, aesthetics, and safety of the community.
(1) Except for existing signage, digital signs are not allowed along Old Bardstown Road (North and South). Any pending sign permit requests for Old Bardstown Road (North and South) will be granted permission for a single digital sign.
(2) Digital signs shall be allowed only on properties zoned for commercial or industrial use.
(B) Proportion dimensions.
Roadway
| Maximum Sign Height | Maximum Sign Width
| Maximum Sign Area
| Digital Sign Area
|
US 0031E | 25 ft. | 15 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | 15% of total sq. ft. in area |
Highway 44 | 8 ft. | 12 ft. | 96 sq. ft. | 20% of total sq. ft. in area |
All other roadways | 6 ft. | 10 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | 20% of total sq. ft. in area |
(C) Limitations on the number of signs.
(1) Each commercial property is limited to one (1) digital sign.
(2) Each industrial property is limited to one (1) digital sign.
(3) Gasoline or fueling stations may have one (1) additional digital sign exclusively for the display of fuel prices, with a specified maximum size of three (3) feet by six (6) feet to ensure clear and concise communication for the benefit of consumers and local businesses.
(D) Aesthetic and safety restrictions.
(1) Signs shall not flash, scroll, or distract drivers. Transitions between messages must be instantaneous.
(2) No video content shall be displayed on signs.
(3) Signs shall not emit excessive light or glare that could be detrimental to nearby residences or traffic safety.
(4) Signs shall be designed to enhance the city's architectural character and overall beauty.
(E) Brightness standards.
(1) Electronic and digital signs must use automatic level controls to reduce light levels at night and under cloudy and other darkened conditions, in accordance with the standards set forth in this subsection. All electronic and digital signs must have installed ambient light monitors and must at all times allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the electronic sign based on ambient light conditions. Maximum brightness levels for electronic and digital signs may not exceed five thousand (5,000) nits, when measured from the signs face at its maximum brightness during daylight hours, and one hundred fifty (150) nits, when measured from the signs face at its maximum brightness between sunset and sunrise, as those times are determined by the National Weather Service.
(2) The city may conduct regular inspections to measure and enforce sign brightness levels. Inspections will be conducted by the City Code Enforcement.
(F) Review of existing digital signage. Within thirty (30) days of this chapter being enacted, the City Code Enforcement shall conduct an inventory of all existing nonconforming signs and document their existence. The inventory will be kept for compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. 2023-17, passed 11-13-23)