Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Chamber task force did not choose to ‘weigh in’ on traffic cameras

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Note: The following letter was written in response to an earlier letter on traffic cameras by Oak Ridge resident T.J. Garland.

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce “weighs in” on issues of importance determined by a Pro-growth Advocacy Task Force, which recommends positions to the Chamber’s member-led Board of Directors. That task force did not choose to address the traffic camera issue and instead focused on other important matters such as widening Edgemoor Road, moving copy signs, and STEM education.

The City of Oak Ridge provides no operating funds to the Chamber. Those are provided through the financial support of our members. [Read more…]

Guest column: Electronic signs a reality, responsible use should be allowed

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Note: This is a copy of a Jan. 28 letter from the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce that was received by the Municipal Planning Commission during a recent public hearing on electronic signs.

On Aug. 23, 2012, the City’s Community Development Director sent a letter to the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce requesting Development Forum help in clarifying and updating the city’s electronic reader board (moving copy) sign regulations. The Forum first discussed this issue with Community Development staff on Sept. 6 and provided broad feedback associated with issues such as light intensity and the need to incorporate new sign technologies into the city’s regulations. The Chamber remained in contact with city staff, but proposed language was not provided until December.

Since then, the Development Forum and representatives of the Oak Ridge Business Coalition have collaborated in discussions associated with proposed revisions to the city sign ordinance pertaining to reader board signs (moving copy signs). It is our shared opinion that:

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