STONE HARBOR –– LED (light-emitting diode) has a bad reputation in this borough, rebelliously blinking, rotating and changing messages, they’re thought better left to the wild landscapes of North Wildwood and Las Vegas than outside the quaint shops here.
An ordinance to prohibit unshielded, moving and flashing LED and LCD (liquid crystal display) lights displayed in residential and business districts was not passed for lack of a second motion after a lengthy discussion at council’s meeting Dec. 16 when Vince Lamanna, a lawyer representing Diller Fisher, opposed.
Borough Solicitor Michael Donohue said the ordinance he drafted was intended to simply update a previously existing code, which prohibited moving neon signs, to include modern technologies, like LED and LCD. He said the intention was to prohibit moving light sources.
“My client has no problem with prohibition of flashing or rotating lights, however, this ordinance is confusing and singles-out LED,” Lamanna said.
He said offensive lights should be dealt with on a site plan approval basis before the Zoning Board.
Lamanna introduced Kevin Craig, a contractor with K.C Sign Company of Aston, Pa., who he said is licensed to work in 200 municipalities.
Craig said LED technology is misunderstood.
“It’s everywhere we look: in cars and Christmas trees.”
He noted many advantages with LED lights like being environmentally friendly and safe and easy to change from a remote computer.
Craig said 50 other municipalities have similar rules regarding LED signs. He said the signs are more effective and easier to read when static.
“This is an avant-garde issue in respect to municipalities. It’s been receiving more Band-Aids than a first aid kit. It needs work and has needed work for a long time,” Lamanna said.
Lamana argued that LED should be removed from the ordinance or it should include all other light sources, like incandescent and fluorescent.
Councilman Karl Giulian said he was hesitant to restrict people and businesses’ ability to market.
Councilman-elect Thomas Cope said the ordinance should simply state that “animated signs” are prohibited without making mention to the type of light. He said time between changes should be established because a sign outside of Sturdy Savings Bank that momentarily changes to display time and temperature would then be “illegal at this very moment.”
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.
