2011-494 REVISED ORDINANCE NO. 2011-494
An ordinance amending the City's Sign Code to allow electronic message signs within Sign
District E under specific situations and if approved by the Plan Commission through a
conditional sign permit as set forth in JGO Chapter 14, with penalties for violations thereof as
set forth as applicable in JGO 14.48.050.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 14.20.120 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Janesville is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"14.20.120 Electronic Message Signs, On Premises.
A. No illuminated flashing signs shall be permitted. Flashing signs are those which
change their appearance more than once every four seconds. Chasing lights shall not be
permitted.
B. Electronic message signs may be allowed in Sign Districts A, B, C and D upon
the review and approval of a conditional sign permit by the Plan Commission as
provided in Section 14.48.015 of this chapter. Electronic Message signs located
on premise may be allowed in Sign District E only if the sign is oriented to traffic
on the adjoining street and is located at least 500 feet from a residential use
principal budding as measured perpendicular to the each sign face along the
adjoining street ' - - - - - = - - - - - - - - --=e - , and upon approval of a
conditional sign permit by the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission, in its
review, shall consider the following:
(1) Such signs shall comprise no more than 30% of the face of the ground
sign area.
(2) No sign shall interfere with the visibility of any traffic signal.
(3) No such sign shall be illuminated to a degree or brightness that is greater
than necessary for adequate visibility. Signs found to be too bright shall be adjusted in
accordance with the instructions of the City.
(4) No such signs shall be higher than 20 feet above the curb elevation in
sign District C or D, no higher than 25 feet above the curb elevation for Sign District B and no
higher than 40 feet above the curb elevation in Sign District A.
(5) Routine messages shall not repeat in intervals of Tess than 4 seconds nor
last longer than 10 seconds. Single phrase messages may last longer than 10 seconds.
(6) No traveling message signs shall be permitted.
(7) The Plan Commission must find that the character of the sign is
compatible with the general area, and that limited visual impacts will occur to nearby residential
areas prior to approving such signs.
C. Time and temperature signs are allowed in all sign districts without
approval of a conditional sign permit subject to compliance with criteria (1) -(5) listed in
Section 14.20.120B.
D. Illuminated price or rate panels for hotel /motel and motor fuel which change no
more than once daily are allowed in all sign districts without approval of a conditional sign permit
subject to compliance with criteria (1) -(3) in Section 14.20.120B.
E. Rotating signs shall be limited to a maximum of eight revolutions per minute and
shall not flash or have traveling bulb effects.
F. Multiple message signs or tri- vision signs whose message are on triangular
louvered facings and are changed by electronic rotation of the louvers are permitted for off -
1
premise signs provided that the time the message remains in a fixed position shall be six
seconds or more.
SECTION II. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the Common
Council, the public health, welfare, peace, tranquility, good order, public benefit, and police
power so requiring.
ADOPTED: September 12, 2011 Motion by: Rashkin
Second by: McDonald
APPRO D: / Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
/' Brunner X
i/ / Dongarra -Adams X
Eric - J. Levi f Manager Liebert X
McDonald X
ATTES Rashkin X
Steeber
Voskuil X
.ean Ann Wulf, City Clerk- Treasur_
1
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
.
Proposed by: Community Development Department '
Prepared by Community Development Department
2