Official to table motion on signs

By Jordan Cohen

The signs are at Golf Headquarters and A.J. Peppers restaurant.

NILES — Third Ward Councilman Edward Stredney expects to table his motion that would have placed a moratorium on electronic signs, but believes their brightness should be subject to legislation.

Stredney is the author of legislation banning permits for animated electronic signs. The ordinance was moved to third reading last week.

The councilman, head of the safety committee, had introduced the legislation after receiving several complaints from residents that signs on heavily traveled Youngstown-Warren Road were distracting for motorists. The signs are at Golf Headquarters and A.J. Peppers restaurant.

Anthony Vigorito, zoning and building inspector, reported that he had talked with operators of both businesses. He said the electronic sign industry determines levels of brightness on a scale with 100 considered maximum intensity.

“The restaurant is only operating at 62 and Golf Headquarters told me they have turned down the brightness,” Vigorito said.

Vigorito suggested the city could look at controlling brightness and colors. Stredney says he favors legislation on the former but not the latter.

“I’m not comfortable with telling [businesses] what colors should be on their signs,” Stredney said.

Stredney, the only member of the safety committee to attend the Wednesday meeting, said he’ll table the moratorium legislation and look at other municipal ordinances that regulate signs.

“Hopefully we’ll try to develop the ordinance in three weeks,” Stredney said.

The other item scheduled for committee, legislation governing the conduct of political canvassing, is still being developed according to Law Director J. Terrence Dull. Dull previously warned that such legislation had to be carefully crafted to avoid constitutional issues.