Oakwood says ‘no’ to electronic signs in the city — even its own

The contentious issue was the subject of a recent public hearing, and council voted to revamp the signage regulations.

MORE: Oakwood plans ‘fairly big’ street, sidewalk and curb projects

The new Shafor Park Tennis Court Facility and parking lot opened for the public last October. Law Director Rob Jacques explained that the contractor installed a new electronic changeable sign prior to the Oakwood Planning Commission having the opportunity to vote on it, as well as allowing the public to weigh in on the issue.

“It was just an attempt to upgrade the technology,” he said. “But it was done ahead of getting formal approval, so we had to go back and revisit our sign ordinance in the zoning code.”

MORE: Oakwood to allow food trucks — with restrictions

Council’s new sign code leaves out ECC use for now, according to Jacques, to allow the signs to be researched thoroughly before being presented for potential approval.

MORE: Oakwood levy passes; will pay for school expenses and renovations

Vice-Mayor Steve Byington said the sign ordinance had not been updated materially updated since 2001, and the new ordinance was put together to accomplish three goals.

“The first of those was to establish clear regulations for the use of electronic signage, second was to ensure effective administration while remaining constitutional and three, to add clarity and consistency throughout the sign code,” he explained.

The Planning Commission had voted 3-2 to approve the new ordinance, but had attached certain conditions to it, including ECC being permitted on certain monument signs and requiring all permitted signs to be constructed with non-combustible materials.

Council ended up unanimously passing the new ordinance, but without those conditions.

“That would have eliminated wooden signs,” Jacques said. “Oakwood is 98 percent residential, and residents are always very concerned about preserving the historical value in the community.”

He said the new sign ordinance is akin to the city’s food truck ordinance passed last August, which allows food trucks to do business on Oakwood streets for the first time but puts heavy restrictions on the practice.

“Vendors were hoping to have a permit for a year and operate freely and whenever and wherever they wanted,” he said. “But the ordinance that passed limits where and when they can operate, and I think residents are more comfortable with that.”

MORE: Oakwood hires school district’s first operations coordinator