MEDINA TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF ZONING COMMISSIONERS
PIJBLIC HEARING-DIGITAL MESSAGESIGN TEXT
AMENDMENTS and REMOVAL OF PUBLIC SERWCE
SIGNS/REGULARMEETING
MARCH 16,2O10
REGULAR MEETING
ChairpersonStrogin called the regular meeting of the Medina Township Board of Zoning
Commissionersto order at 7:30 p.m. Board membersOvermyer,Apanq Erickson, Payne
and Strogin were in attendance.
Chair Strogin then recessedthe regular meeting and openedup the public hearing at7:35
p.m.
PT]BLIC HEARING
Chair Stogin read the proposedText Amendmentsas follows:
Addition of a Definition for Sign, Digital MessageSign.
Addition of letter M. to Section605 to addressDigital MessageSigns; and the removalof
Section603 G. Public ServiceSigns in its entirety.
Chair Strogin statedthe proposedtext amendmentswere forwardedto the Medina County
PlanningCommission.The Planning Commissionheld their monthly rneetingon March
3,2010. Shethen read the staff report/recommendationof the Medina County Planning
Commissionas follows:
StaffComments:
l. Staff suggestssubstitutingthe word "copy" in the definition and proposedtext for
Section605 M. to "image" for clarity.
The 60 secondimage changeinterval betweenmessagesis excessive.Most literature
on electronicsigns suggest8-10 seconds.In zoning districts fronting on major streets
or highways,it may be acceptableto allow imagesto changebetween I and 8
seconds,to allow faster-travelingtraffic to view the message(s).
3 . A foot candle is "A unit of measureof the intensity of the light falling on a surface,
equal to one lumen per sqwre foot and originally definedwith referenceto a
standardizedcandle burning at one foot from a given surface." lt is the measurement
of light hitting an object at any distance;it is the light received.The illumination level
of one foot candle may be too bright to view an electronicmessageon the sign at
nigh! 0.3 foot candlesmay be more appropriateaccordingto the International Sign
Association.A photometercan be usedto measurethe brightness,and the zoning
inspectorwill need to be trained to use the equipment.
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4. Medina Twp. should considerrequiring that a digital messagesign be programmedto
dim and brighten automatically in responseto changesin ambient light to avoid undue
brightness.
5. Digital messagesigns should also be programmedto "freeze" or go blank if there is a
malfunction, so that flashing or other distractingmovementdoesnot result.
6. If the digital messagesign takesthe place of the ground sign, the regulationsshould
more clearly statethe Township's intent.
7. The permitted squarefootageof the digital messagesign, and the setbacks,shouldbe
indicatedin this section to avoid confusionwith any other type of sign.
8. Attachedis an article by Alan Weinsteinregardingelectronic messagesigns,which
may be of assistanceto Medina Township.
Staff Recommendation:Staff recommendsAPPROVAL WITH MODIFICATIONS of
the proposedtext amendmentper Staff cornmentsto the Medina Township Zoning
Resolution.Staff also suggeststhat Medina Twp.review and amend Article VI Sign
Regulationsin its entirety, and any other relevantsectionsof the ZoningResolution, for
the purposeof ensuringcompliancewith the legal requirementthat they be content
neutral.Staff is availableto assistin this endeavor.
Chair Strogin statedthe Medina County PlanningCommissionhad no issueswith the
removalof Section603 G. Public ServiceSignsin its entirety.
Chair Strogin statedshe askedthe CPC the reasonthey suggestedthe word "image"
insteadof "copy" and they respondedthey did so to clariff copy being just words and
imagepictures.Chair Strogin then suggestedthat both words be added to the proposed
text so there was no confusion that a digital messagesign consistsof a sign which the
copy/irnagechanges.. .The other Commissionmembersagreed.
Regardingthe frequencyin which sucha sign can change,Chair Strogin statedthat the
proposedlanguagewas reflective of the City of Medina's zoning code. She continuedthat
the 8 secondinterval was gearedfor highwaysand interstateswhen traffic is moving at
60+ rniles per hour. In a confined areasuchas Rt. 42 from Fenn Rd. to the City limits
there are approximately40 * businessesin that short distanceand the sameon Rt. 18.
Chair Strogin statedas technologychangesand thesesignsbecomemore prolific there
would be the potential for numeroussignsto be changingmessagesat a high frequency
and potentially becoming a safety factor. After that discussionthe Planning Commission
agreedwith the 60 secondfrequencyproposed.
Chair Strogin continuedregardingthe measurementof the intensity of light falling on a
surface(foot-candle)that was the languagein the City's zoning code and shehad no
preferenceif the wording was part of Medina Township's Zoning Resolution. Chair
Stroginthen commentedthat it may be a good idea to add this languageas the
PagejZC 311612010
manufacturersof such signs would be familiar with that measurementand this would be a
benchmarkfor the Commission to use.
The next recommendationwas that a digital messagesign be programmedto dim and
brighten automatically in responseto changesin ambient light to avoid undue brightness.
Chair Strogin questionedif this was fact and if signs could be programmedto respond
automatically.Mr. Steve Kohn interjectedthat he works for a sign company and statedhe
did not know for sure if all signscould be programmedin that manner. He addedthat this
recommendationmay limit the number of sign manufacturersthat could put up suchsigns
in the Township.
Recommendation5. Digital messagesigns should also be prograrnmedto "freeze" or go
blank if there is a malfunction, so that flashing or other distractingmovement doesnot
result. Mr. Kohn again commentedthat he felt this was a good recornmendation.
Regardingthe recommendationsfor size and setbackrequirementsfor digital message
signs,Chair Strogin statedsheexplainedto the CPC that thoserequirementswere in the
ground sign sectionof the code becausea digital sign can be a ground sign.
Regardingthe last comment from the CPC about the entire section on signs be reviewed
and rewritten, Chair Strogin statedthat would be consideredat a later date but language
on digital messagesigns neededto be addressedquickly as thesetypes of signswere
becomingmore common and prolific.
Chair Strogin then openedup the public hearingto public comment.
Bill Ostmann(3670 Hamilton Rd.) statedas a residentand businessowner in the
Township he felt it was good planning for the Township to mirror the languageof the
City code on such signs especiallyon the Rt. 42 corridor as it levels the playing field for
all businessesin that area.
Mr. Overmyerstatedhe agreedwith the recommendationof the Planning Commission
and addedthat measuringfoot candleswas not that difficult. A light meter would not be
that expensive.Mr. Overmyer statedthat especiallyin this economyevery businesswas
vying for attentionand if a businesscould increasethe foot candlesto make their sign a
little brighter somebodyis going to do it.
Mr. Apana statedhe too was in favor of Mr. Overmyer's commentsand the CPC's
recommendationthat a digital sign be programmedto go fueezeor go blank if there is a
malfunction. Mr. Apana statedhe disagreedwith the recommendationof an electronic
sign being able to changeevery 8-10 seconds.He felt that was too often.
Page4 ZC 311612010
TrusteeGardnerstateda Google searchwasjust done during the meeting, and a light
metercostsbetween$125-$179.Chair Stroginstatedmaybesomeonein the sign business
could come out with their light meter and do the measurementof the light intensity or at
leastveriff the measurement.
Mr. Ericksonstatedhe was concernedwith electronicsignsthat show video. An example
of this type of sign is at Rt. 42 and Boston Rd. He addedtherewere actually two such
signsat this location and they were very distracting.Chair Strogin statedthat was
addressedunderthe movementportion of the existing signagecode. Mr. Paynestatedhe
agreedwith the CPC's recommendationfor such signsto be programmedto freezeif a
malfunction occursand to automaticallydim at night.
TrusteeGardnerinterjectedthat the recommendationfor such signs to be programmedto
freeze,as was statedby Mr. Kohn not all digital signshave the software to do that. Chair
Strogin statedon the flip side if the regulationshave that requirementa businesswould
have to buy a sign that can be programmedto freeze.Mr. Kohn interjectedthat he did not
feel it was unreasonableto require this becausemedium quality and upper quality signs
would havethat capability. If the community wants that standardthat can be a
requirement.
Hearingno more comments,Chair Strogin then closedthe hearingto public.
The Commissionthen proposedthe following text amendments:
Definition of Signs,Digital Message-Asign on which the copy/imagechangesthrough
electricalor electronic meansat intervals.
Addition of letterM. to Section605 AccessorySignsrequiringa permit
M. Digital MessageSigns are permitted for ground signsonly and shall be permittedin
all businessdistricts. A Digital MessageSign shall meetthe following requirements:
l. Frequency.Copy changeshall not be more frequentthan once per 60 secondsand both
text and color shall remain static betweenintervals.
2. Color. Any Digital MessageSign erectedwithin one hundred(100) feet of an
intersectionwhere an illuminated device has beenprovided for the control of traffic shall
not duplicatethe electric light of such sign in any colors appearingin the traffic control
signal.
3. Illumination.Illumination level of a Digital MessageSign shall not exceed.3 foot
candleas measuredfrom the adjacentright of ways.
4. Digital MessageSigns shall be programmedto dim and brighten automatically in
responseto changesin ambient light to avoid undue brightness.
5. Digital MessageSigns shall be prograrnmedto "freeze" or go blank if there is a
malfi.rnction,so that flashing or other distractingmovementdoesnot result.
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Removalof Section603 G. Public ServiceSignsin its entirety.
Mr. Ericksonmade a motion to recommendto the Township Trusteesthe proposed
zoning text amendmentsas presented.[t was secondedby Mr. Overmyer.
ROLL CAll-Erickson-yes, Overmyer-yes,Payne-yes,Apana-yes,Strogin-yes.
The recommendationswould be certified over to the Township Trustees.Chair Strogin
then closedthe public hearingand reconvenedthe regular meeting of the Commissionat
8:05p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
The Zoning Commissionminutes from their February 16,2010 meeting were approvedas
written. The Trusteeshave scheduledsite plan reviews to be heard on April l, 2010 at
7:00 p.m. A letter would be sent to the applicantswhen the Trusteeswould heartheir site
plan/signagerequests.
SITE PLANS
Dental Sureical Center of Medina-3443 Medina Rd. Suite #105
Mr. SteveNguyen representedDental Surgical Centerof Medina, Inc. He statedhe and
the next applicant,Medina Pediatric Dentistry were two completely separateentities
working in the samebuilding with different suite numbers.There was an error madeby
the architectwhen signagewas going to erectedthat Dental Surgical Centerof Medina
and Medina PediatricDentistry were one and the sameand that was not the case.
Thereforehe was before the Commissionthis eveningto ask for a changeof use.
Mr. Overmyermadea motion to approvethe changeof use for Dental Surgical Centerof
Medinato be locatedat3443 Medina Rd. as presented.It was secondedby Mr. Apana.
ROLL CALL- Overmyer-yes,Apana-yes,Erickson-yes,Payne-yes,Strogin-yes.
Mr. SteveKohn from Sign-A-RamarepresentedDental Surgical Center of Medina
signagerequests.He statedhe was requestinga wall sign for Dental Surgical Centerof
Medinato consistof 4.7 sq. ft.
Mr. Overmyermade a motion to approvethe wall sign for Dental Surgical Centerof
Medinato be locatedat3443 Medina Rd. not to exceed4.7 sq. ft. as presented.It was
secondedby Mr. Payne.
ROLL CAll-Overmyer-yes, Payne-yes,Apana-yes,Erickson-yes,Strogin-yes.
Mr. Kohn statedhe was also requestinga tenantpanel to be placed on the existing
identificationsign consistingof 4.66 sq. ft.
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Mr. Apana madea motion to approvethe tenantpanel for Dental Surgical Centerof
Medinato be placedon the existingidentificationsign not to exceed4.66-sq.ft. as
presented.It was secondedby Mr. Erickson.
ROLL CALL-Apana-yes,Erickson-yes,Overmyer-yes,Payne-yes,Strogin-yes.
Medina Pediatric Dentistrv-3443 Medina Rd. Suite #104
Mr. StevenKohn from Sign-A'Rama representedMedina Pediatric Dentistry. He stated
he was beforethe Commission to requesta 4 sq. ft. wall sign for Medina Pediatric
Dentistry.
Mr. Paynemadea motion to approvethe wall sign for Medina Pediatric Dentistry to be
locatedat3443 Medina Rd. Suite#104 to consistof 4 sq. ft. as presented.It was
secondedby Mr. Overmyer.
ROLL CALL-Payne-yes,Overmyer-yes,Apana-yes,Erickson-yes,Strogin-yes.
Mr. Kohn statedhe was also requestinga tenantpanel to be placedon the existing
identificationsign consistingof 4.66 sq. ft.
Mr. Paynemadea motion to approvethe tenantpanel for Medina Pediatric Dentistry to
be placedon the existing identification sign not to exceed4.66-sq.ft. as presented.It was
secondedby Mr. Erickson.
ROLL CALL-Payne-yes,Erickson-yes,Overmyer-yes,Apana-yes,Strogin-yes.
Medina Vision Centre-4463Wevmouth Rd.
Dr. Timothy Earley representedMedina Vision Centre.He statedhe was beforethe
Commissionto requesta32 sq. ft. groundsign.Dr. Earleystatedthey would just be
refacing the existing ground sign. The height of the sign is 7 ft.
Chair Strogin askedabout landscapingaroundthe baseof the sign? Dr. Earley statedthat
the former businessat this location was a gardencenter.Last fall Medina Vision Centre
had a landscapercome in and cleanup the plant bedson either side of the sign. In those
bedswere certainperennialsand wildflowers and until they start to grow againthey
would like to leave that areaundisturbeduntil it is known what is planted in the beds.If
any further landscapingneededto be addedthen they would do so accordingly.
Mr. Apana madea motion to approvethe ground sign for Medina Vision Centrelocated
at 4463 WeymouthRd. not to exceed32 sq. ft. as presented.It was secondedby Mr.
Overmyer.
ROLL CALL-Apana-yes,Overmyer-yes,Payne-yes,Erickson-yes,Strogin-yes.
It was so notedthat landscapingwill be provided at the baseof the sign.
Pagel ZC311612010
Dreams to Realities Bridal-3725 Medina Rd. #112
Chair Strogin read a letter from Ms. Kristin Tomsheckfrom Dream to RealtiesBridal
asking for their site plan and signageto be tableduntil the Commission's April meeting
datedue to the fact the company's lawyer had not cornpletedthe leaseagreementat this
time.
Mr. Overmyerrnadea motion to table the use and signageapproval for Dreamsto
RealitiesBridal to be locatedat3725 Medina Rd. #l l2 until the Commission'sApril 20,
2010meetingas requested.It was secondedby Mr. Payne.
Apana-yes,Erickson-yes,Strogin-yes.
ROLL CALL- Overmyer-yes,Payne-yes,
On Tap Restaurant-2905Medina Rd.
Mr. William Marras, Art Michaels owner, and Dan McGown, architect representedOn
Tap Restaurant.Mr. Marras statedthey would like to add a coveredpatio areato the back
of the building. The area would be lined with 3' raisedplanting beds and there would be
two concreteplanterson either side to the eastand west of the coveredpatio area.He
addedtherewould be a sandpit area(75'x l4') to the north of the proposedcovered
concretepatio areafor corn hole gamesand horseshoes.
Mr. Manas statedthere would be accessfrom the restaurantto the patio area.Even with
the proposedaddition the restaurantstill met their parking requirements.He addedthat
therewould also be a 3 ft. metal fencearoundthe patio areawhich was a requirementto
servealcoholoutside.
Mr. Overmyeraskedhow many additional seatswould be added?Mr. Marras stated32
seatswould be addedand their current seatingcapacityis 131.ZI Ridgely statedshe
askedOn Tap about the lighting. On Tap statedthey would direct the lighting down
towardsthe parking lot. She addedthat On Tap would also be starting to servebreakfast
and the signagehas been correctedfor that advertisement.
TrusteeGardneraskedwith all the improvementsOn Tap was making if they could
addressthe dilapidated light pole in the parking lot? Mr. Marras statedthat would be
looked at as well. Chair Strogin then askedaboutthe landscapingaround the pole sign.
Mr. Marras statedthey would addressthat as well.
Mr. Overmyermade a motion to approvethe addition to On Tap Restaurantlocatedat
2905 Medina Rd. as presented.It was secondedby Mr. Payne.
Apana-yes,Erickson-yes,Strogin-yes.
ROLL CALL- Overmyer-yes,Payne-yes,
It was so noted the owner has agleedto addresslandscapingaroundthe existing pole sign
Page8 ZC 311612010
MISC.
TrusteeGardnerstatedthe CPC workshop scheduledfor March 31, 2010 is filled. The
workshopis on new technology and zoning. As one can imagine it was going to be hands
on computertraining. Due to the fact the March 31, 2010 date is filled the CPC would
hold anotherworkshopon this topic on April 14,2010 at 6:30 p.m. Locationyet to be
determined.TrusteeGardneraskedfor the e-mails of thoseCornmissionmembers
interestedin attendingso she could forward the namesto the CPC and then let the
membersknow the exact location of the classwhen detennined.
Having no further businessbefore the Board, the meetingwas officially adjournedat 9:00
p.m.
RespectfullySubmitted,
Kim Ferencz, Zoning Secretary