Misty Robbins, right, of Snappy Tomato Pizza, said the restaurant could buy an electronic sign but wants to see what new regulations might be issued to govern them.
Business owners call them effective, a great way to get out their messages.
But a few residents call them distracting and offensive, at least in some cases.
Caught in the middle are Oak Ridge officials. They are trying to write new regulations for the electronic signs, considering how to govern brightness, display times, and transitions between messages.
The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission heard from both sides during a Thursday evening public hearing.
Citing a few signs they find offensive or distracting, a handful of residents said they don’t like signs that are animated, blinking, or large and bright. A few said they don’t want Oak Ridge to become like Pigeon Forge, and the city should be careful to not allow too many signs.
“Please fix this problem and keep it from growing,†Oak Ridge resident Sigurd Christensen said.
Dan Robbins, Greenways Oak Ridge chair, asked the planning commission to prohibit any new electronic signs along Melton Lake Drive.
But business owners said they were not trying to offend anyone or make gaudy signs.
“We don’t want to irritate the public with our signs,†said Toney Stevens, owner of Rivers Total Car Care in Oak Ridge. “We just want to get our message out.â€
Rick Chinn, a partner in R&R Enterprises, which owns the Riverside Grille property, said the $60,000 sign there has provided an incredible business boost.
Business owners said they were frustrated by the process used by the city to propose the sign ordinance changes, as well as a “threatening†violation letter they received last year. They said they don’t want the city to make it harder for them to do business in Oak Ridge. They want to work with municipal officials, the business leaders said, and are willing to do things like turn down their signs at night.
“We should use this technology instead of fighting this technology,†Stevens said. But, he added, “We do need to use it wisely.â€
The existing sign regulations were adopted in 2003, and city officials first proposed changes to the sign ordinance late last year, saying the regulations need to be updated in response to new technologies and marketing trends. The proposed changes would have required that electronic sign messages be static and shown for at least 10 seconds, and they would have set a maximum light intensity for the signs.
But the changes and the process used by the city were publicly opposed by several business owners, and they’re off the table for now.
The electronic signs are becoming more popular—several more Oak Ridge businesses are considering buying them—and they are becoming more technologically advanced. Already, there are 18 of the signs reported in the Secret City.
A few business owners said they have postponed their plans to buy electronic signs until Oak Ridge officials decide what new regulations might be put in place to govern them.
The Oak Ridge Community Development Department surveyed regulations in eight other cities. Two prohibit the signs, all regulate light intensity, and many require messages to be displayed for eight to 10 seconds, said Monica Austin Carroll, Oak Ridge Community Development division manager. Some don’t allow moving, scrolling, or flashing signs, and some regulate distances between signs and between signs and residential properties.
Planning Commission Chairman Terry Domm said the sign regulations could be discussed during a workshop next month.
A few Oak Ridge officials said the city is not adequately enforcing its current regulations, even though there are a few flagrant violators. The existing regulations generally prohibit signs with animated, moving, or flashing messages.
“We need to enforce the rules that we have right now,†Oak Ridge City Council member Anne Garcia Garland said.
Several business leaders asked city officials to make sure any new regulations strike a balance between businesses and the community. An Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce representative said animation and video should be allowed, but strobe light effects should be prohibited.
“Moving copy signs are a reality in today’s market and can lead to increased sales,â€Â said Anne Dunthorn. “We have to recognize both sides of it.â€
Angi Agle says
It’s not the moving copy that’s a problem, but the very few who have the brightness turned up way too high, and strobe-like flashing (either text or images). Businesses with signs facing residences need to be particularly sensitive, perhaps turning it down to the lowest setting after dark.
I’ve never thought the one at Rivers Total Car Care to be a problem. TitleMax on Illinois Ave. is the poster child for why the signs need to be regulated; the brilliant flashing is a migraine-inducing distraction. A very similar sign at the nearby car wash really isn’t offensive at all.
We want to be business-friendly, but we don’t want to be Pigeon Forge. Farragut has one of the strictest sign ordinances around, yet they seem to be thriving in the retail arena. What we need is a reasonable balance.
Sam Hopwood says
Although I agree with your take on the TitleMax sign, the key phrase in this column is “a handfull of residents.” We should not let a “handfull of residents ” continue to give OR an anti-business reputation. I suspect the chief complainers are those residents on a certain street close to the Riverside Grille. Ironically, Rick Chinn has probably done more to enhance the business climate in OR than just about anyone. Just my view.
Angi Agle says
When I first saw the Riverside Grille sign last spring, it was turned up annoyingly bright. I can see why the folks who had that shining in their bedroom windows would object. It seems to have been turned down somewhat since then, and really should be — especially after dark.
I’m not arguing to take away anyone’s signs… just for a little moderation on the brightness and flashing.
Kelly Callison says
Excellent article John. It really captured what was a very balanced meeting. As you pointed out the Community Development staff presented a summary of the regulations in use in surrounding areas and a slide presentation to illustrate the key elements normally used to regulate signs such as brightness, duration, etc. Seventeen speakers representing a real cross section of the community – residents and business owners provided very thoughtful points of view. It started off with a very enlightening presentation by a retired traffic engineer who shared many of the subtle things that need to be considered when dealing with signs like color combinations, the impact on drivers with cataracts, and the overall volume of light in an area. It will be indeed a difficult task to find the right balance. The key word is balance- how do we continue to make Oak Ridge a desirable place to live and support the retail everyone wants. I firmly believe that a revitalized mall is in our future and the developers of that property will want to see the surrounding areas enhancing the property not diminishing it.
John Huotari says
Thank you, Kelly.
Sally Sanders says
When you drive through, or look at pictures of a pretty town, you will notice (or not notice) discreet signage. You will see no golden arches, billboards, nor electric signs. Surely, business is conducted in these towns, and merchants may even profit form the charm of the area. Personally, a bright sign does not call to me and suggest that I stop there and spend money. Though we don’t live on “certain streets close to the Riverside Grill” the lakefront was one of the reasons we chose to retire to Oak Ridge… Riverside Grill’s sign is the most offensive sign in town, not due to their own fault, but due to their incredibly special location… What a shame that they spent so much money to desecrate the riverfront. At the very least, protect the lakefront from further offense, surely, our beautiful riverfront, and rowing venue bring commerce to the area….. Let’s keep it beautiful
Sam Hopwood says
Hmmmm… As we look around OR I see two golden arches everyday and have never heard anyone complain about them. Your’s is the first. But the bottom line is that it is still about “a handfull of residents” trying to dictate what should or should not be allowed in OR. Desecrate the riverfront, indeed! The most offensive sign in town, indeed! WOW!!
Jason Allison says
A lot of people complain Oak Ridge has nothing. I’m not so sure that complaining about what we have is a good idea. No
Anon says
lol
Anon says
Surely I’m not the only one who’s been blinded by one of these driving around at night. IMHO, they’re pretty darn tacky and I’d hate to see another one of those things go up. No. Thankyou.