Your help is needed to defeat proposed electronic signs that will erode our city's Sign Ordinance

RAP will submitting a letter to City Council to voice our opposition to Ordinance 2010-900, which would allow electonic changing message signs to change once every 8 seconds or to scroll continuously. This changes the current rule that allows these signs to change once every 3 minutes (480 times per day.) It is a serious step backward in the City's 25-year fight against visual pollution, not to mention a significant and potentially dangerous distraction in an era when there are already too many distracted drivers on the road. More information on the bill can be found below.

The ordinance was drafted by Clear Channel Outdoor, which plans to erect 14 digital billboard faces at 8 locations around the City, with more to come in future years. It was introduced by CM Dick Brown and is co-sponsored by Council Members Don Redman, Art Shad, Dr. Johnny Gaffney, Warren Jones, Reginald Brown, Ray Holt and Stephen Joost. 

Your help is needed to defeat this ordinance. You can help by:

1.  Attending the public hearings scheduled for Jan 11 and 25 before the City Council and Jan 18 before the Council's Land Use and Zoning Committee. These meetings begin at 5:00 pm and are in Council Chambers in City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street.

2.  Contact Council Members who are sponsors of the bill and ask them to withdraw their support.  Contact the remaining Council Members and urdge them to oppose Ordinance 2010-900. Contact information is at: http://www.coj.net/City+Council/City+Council+members.htm

3.  Write a letter to the Times-Union saying why you opoose this bad legislation through: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/submit_a_letter_to_the_editor  or send a "rant" to the T-U.

4. Share this message with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Time is of the essence.

ORDINANCE 2010-900

• Would allow electronic changing message signs in Jacksonville to change every eight seconds or to scroll continuously

• Reverses the current interpretation of the City’s Building Inspection Division and Planning Department that such signs may legally change only once every three minutes

• Was drafted by Clear Channel Outdoor, which is erecting digital billboards (i.e., 672 square foot TV screens) at eight locations around the City, with more to come in future years

• Could result in flashing, scrolling on-premise signs at thousands of locations in Jacksonville

• Does nothing to regulate the brightness or spacing of electronic message signs

• Creates traffic safety problems as drivers’ attention is diverted from the highway to read these changing message signs

• Will hurt the many small businesses which, unlike national retail chains, cannot afford this more expensive sign technology

• Is out of step with many other cities around the state and nation that only allow electronic changing message signs to change once an hour or once a day, if they are allowed at all

• Is a giant step backward in the City’s 25-year effort to improve our scenic environment by reducing visual pollution

Public Hearings on Ordinance 2010-900

Tuesday, 1/11            City Council

5:00 p.m.                        Council Chambers, City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street

Thursday, 1/13            Planning Commission

1:00 p.m.                        Council Chambers, City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street

Tuesday, 1/18            City Council Land Use and Zoning Committee

5:00 p.m.                        Council Chambers, City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street

Tuesday, 1/25            City Council

5:00 p.m.                        Council Chambers, City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street