responsibility to make certain determinations for the Oakwood community. City Council needs to determine whether lit signs fit in with the character of Oakwood.

Mayor Duncan thanked all of the visitors for their comments. He also thanked city staff for taking a lot of time to rewrite the sign code. He commented that the only item of dispute is the electronic changeable copy signs. If City Council votes to approve the ordinance with the removal of electronic changeable copy signs, the Oakwood Community Center will need to change their signs. He shared that he is not convinced that this sign technology is different because it is electronic versus manual.

Mr. Epley asked if there was a determination of how many characters could be used on the Oakwood Community Center electronic changeable copy sign.

Mr. Stephens shared a few event names, such as “Coffee with Veterans”, that will fit on the sign and he likes the idea of the Oakwood Community Center using the sign for event messages. He added that he would like additional information about the suggestion brought up about online event registration. Mr. Stephens also disagrees that signs are an outdated form of communication. In his opinion, if the electronic changeable copy sign and online registration is good for the Oakwood community, then both should be used. He explained that he would be against electronic changeable copy signs if the restrictions were not built into the draft ordinance. He added that he still questions if the Oakwood Community staff believes the character limit will be enough to effectively communicate the information versus a bunch of acronyms.

Mr. Augustine Urbas, 406 Greenmount Blvd., shared that he did further calculations and found that the dimensions for a 17 square foot sign would provide for about 75 characters.

Vice Mayor Byington asked if city staff has received complaints for any current externally lit signs.

Code Enforcement Officer Ethan Kroger shared that he has not received any sign complaints relating to lighting. The only complaint has been for residential property flood lighting.

Vice Mayor Byington asked Mr. Kroger if he currently has a lumen detector.

Mr. Kroger stated no.

Mr. Klopsch explained to City Council that if they are interested in seeking additional information, they could table the proposed sign ordinance and it could be addressed at the next council meeting where city staff could provide message examples and have Leisure Services Director Carol Collins speak about the sign. Another option would be to approve everything except the electronic changeable copy signs. The electronic changeable copy signs could then be presented back to the Planning Commission as a new amendment to the sign code at a later date.

Mayor Duncan commented that the idea of approving the sign code with the exception of the electronic changeable copy signs is ideal because it is important to implement the other updated sign code provisions.

Vice Mayor Byington mentioned that if the Planning Commission’s recommendation is approved, not allowing electronic changeable copy signs, anyone else requesting electronic changeable copy signs will have to pursue a text amendment with the Planning Commission.

Mayor Duncan asked if electronic changeable copy signs would be illegal if City Council approves the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Vice Mayor Byington answered yes.

Mr. Stephens asked if the only way to table the request is to table the entire ordinance, and not just the section for electronic changeable copy signs.

Mr. Klopsch stated that the entire ordinance would need to be tabled; City Council cannot just table the section for electronic changeable copy signs.

Vice Mayor Byington and Mr. Stephens were in agreement that the overall ordinance should not be tabled.

Vice Mayor Byington noted that this is an issue that people are very adamant about. He added that if City Council approves the Planning Commission’s recommendations, the only sign affected is the Oakwood Community Center sign.