Lindon bans flashy signs

LINDON — Lindon is no Las Vegas. And thanks to the recent approval of a new sign ordinance, it's going to stay that way.

The revised ordinance bans any blinking LED or flat-panel display sign in the city, while only allowing small ones along the I-15 corridor.

"It minimizes the flashing world that we don't think is part of Lindon," said Bruce Carpenter, a member of Lindon's City Council.

Any flashy electronic signs approved for the freeway corridor must be no larger than 56 square feet — specifically, no larger than 4.5 feet tall and 14 feet wide and must be separated from other signs by 500 feet, according to the ordinance.

A common billboard size is around 760 square feet.

"(We) don't want to look like State Street in Orem," said Adam Cowie, Lindon city planning and zoning director. "(We're) trying to avoid excessive clutter and overbearance on a sign but still allow a business to clearly identify itself."

The issue had been batted around since April, after the owner of an auto dealership requested approval for a large sign with flashing car images. There was some confusion over the definition of LED display signs, so the council denied the request and spent multiple meetings, as did the planning commission, hammering out specific revisions for the code.

The final version was accepted this week.

"What was implemented will allow businesses to have informational signs without being overpowering and all the glitz," Acerson said. "What's been passed is in good taste.

I think it will do well."

While considering the changes, Cowie said, the city looked at sign ordinances in communities both in and out of the state.

"We tried to see how they implemented sign regulations so they weren't overbearing but still available for good recognition (for) a business."

However, the new guidelines are too specific for some people like Joe Kelley, who has worked in the sign business for 35 years.

"My concern is that it's just too restrictive; doesn't give commerce an opportunity to freely advertise," he said. "I understand the city's intent, but it's kind of a trend all across the country, diminishing signs, limiting what you can say on your signs. To me it begins to infringe on free speech."

Kelley, who works as a sales representative Graphik Display and Sign company in Lindon, brought up his concerns with the council, suggesting that each LED sign be considered on a case-by-case basis, rather than making a standard size requirement.

He said the city might be worried about an influx of applications, but Kelley said LED signs are expensive enough to deter all but the serious advertisers.

A typical LED sign, with Lindon's size requirements of 56 square feet, can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. A regular 200-square-foot sign comes closer to $25,000.

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