It’s good to see the Logansport Plan Commission and the chamber of commerce working toward a compromise on proposed restrictions for electronic message center signs.
Clearly, the city’s business community should have a role in drafting the regulations it will face.
The plan commission is proposing that such signs be at least 200 feet from the nearest residence and at least 400 feet apart. Chamber representatives are proposing to drop that to 100 feet from the nearest residence and 300 feet apart.
The chamber is also proposing that the measurements be on only one side of the street. Thus, the signs could be directly across the street from each other and still fall within the restrictions.
The planning department, on the other hand, is proposing only one sign every 400 feet, regardless of the side of the street.
At the same time, business interests and the planning department are talking about how long the messages on those signs should remain in place. The chamber is proposing 3 to 5 seconds. The planning department is proposing 7 seconds.
Either would be longer than the length for some of the signs already in place.
The parties are also discussing the amount of color the signs will be allowed to use.
The planning department suggests the signs be limited to a black background with amber lettering. It suggests barring animated images, audio and bright flashes of light.
The chamber of commerce asks that the city consider dropping the restrictions on color.
It’s hard to say how many flashing messages would be too many, but we shouldn’t allow a steady stream of these signs. People will be driving along these streets, and with eyes darting from one message to the next, navigating the traffic won’t be easy.
What we have in this discussion are two competing points of view.
On one side, we have residents who seek to limit the amount of visual clutter in the city’s business district. On the other, we have businesses resisting restrictions on the way they get out their message to customers.
At this point, the two sides are searching for middle ground.
The public will have its next chance to weigh in at a plan commission meeting next month.
Want to go?
What: Logansport Plan Commission meeting
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 14
Where: City council chambers on the third floor of the City Building
Editorials
Still time to weigh in on sign rules
- Editorials
-
-
A positive step for public schools
Indiana is one of 10 states granted waivers last week from provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The waiver appears to be a step forward for schools across the state.
-
An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.
-
Another step forward for local trails
Local officials broke ground this week on the planned Eel River Run from downtown to Riverside Park. The project will expand a trail system of which the community can be proud.
-
White should not return to office
The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state on charges of voter fraud has left Republicans and Democrats fighting over who will hold the office. No matter how the fight comes out, Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
-
A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.
-
Should schools teach creationism?
The Indiana General Assembly is considering a measure that would allow public schools to teach creationism as long as they include instruction on other reliigious theories. Broadening the instruction to include other religions might address constitutional concerns, but the result might be a class the law’s supporters didn’t envision.
-
Giving every child a chance
Students from Columbia Middle School delivered a message of inclusion in a play last weekend. The message is one that can’t be repeated too often.
-
Testing lawmakers a good idea
A measure requiring drug testing for welfare recipients would also require drug testing for legislators. If lawmakers are going to impose such a requirement on welfare recipients, they should be willing to stand up to the same measure.
-
Peru delivers important message
The city of Peru collected $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed. An aggressive enforcement effort can help the city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
-
Jail GED program a great step
The issue
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has begun offering GED
classes for its prisoners.
Our view
The department, and society at large, will see a huge return on that
investment. - More Editorials Headlines
-
A positive step for public schools
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
