Middlesex Twp. revises electronic sign ordinance
Middlesex Township approved a revised ordinance on electronic signs in front of businesses at a meeting Wednesday night.
The sign ordinance now includes rules for the size, brightness and image-changing frequency of electronic signs placed outside businesses in the township.
According to the ordinance, electronic signs are permitted but can’t be placed at the intersection of any streets “within the clear site triangle, or in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by reason of its position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.”
“We have more and more businesses that are coming into the township, which is great, and they want to advertise their services and their products,” township manager Adam Hartwig said. “With developments in the technology that exists, the LED or electronic business signs are becoming more and more popular.”
So as not to distract drivers, images and messages on signs may be changed no more frequently than two times in a minute, the ordinance states, and flashing images are not allowed.
“We want to allow the businesses to use these signs, but we also want to have reasonable restrictions in place so that they do not distract the general motoring public, or create visual blight for the residents in the area,” Hartwig said.
Signs must be designed and placed so as not to distract or interfere with operators of motor vehicles, or to create glare on adjacent properties, and so that they are compatible with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding properties.
Additionally, electronic signs are required to have automatic dimmer controls to lessen their brightness at night, and no sign within 120 feet of a residential zoning district can be lit between midnight and 5 a.m.
The ordinance also sets size regulations for business identification signs. Wall and pole signs cannot exceed 32 square feet in area, and internally and externally illuminated wall signs and pole signs are permitted.
