Jun 11, 2013 3 min read

McMURRAY – By a vote of 4-2, Peters Township Council on Monday voted to change its zoning ordinance to permit multicolored electronic signs in the Washington Road commercial district.

Council President Frank Arcuri and councilman Robert Lewis voted against the motion. Gary Stiegel was absent from the meeting.

Currently, electronic signs promoting businesses on Washington Road must be one color – red or amber – with a black background. The change to the ordinance now permits multicolored signs along the township’s commercial district, so long as they are monument-style and not pole signs.

Prior to the vote, council held a public hearing on the matter. During the public hearing, Lewis said he didn’t find current electronic signs to be effective in communicating messages to the public.

“Notices of two-liters of soft drinks on sale for 99 cents are not showstoppers,” Lewis said. He added he also was concerned that if multicolored signs were allowed that businesses would advertise personal products or prescription drugs. “Do you want the two people in a bathtub (from an advertisement for an erectile dysfunction drug) on the corner of Route 19?” Lewis asked.

Peters Township Manager Michael Silvestri said the township cannot control the content of advertisements.

Arcuri said he agreed with Lewis regarding the signs. “I’ve never been a big proponent of these types of signs,” he said. “I don’t see the need for it. Most people get away with regular signage. I think it has the potential to junk up the business district, for lack of a better word.”

Councilman David Ball said a business has the right to tell people what they’re selling. “You can’t regulate what they say,” he said, adding that because the signs are to be monument-style, it is a “possible step forward from the pole sign.”

“No one likes the electronic signs, but it’s currently what’s available today,” said councilman David Berquist. He added he thinks businesses should have the opportunity to advertise in the best way they can.

“I’m not wild about it, but it’s a legitimate use of technology,” added councilwoman Monica Merrell. She said Route 19 is the township’s commercial district, but she doesn’t want to see electronic signs on side roads in the township. “I would hope people would take the high road as far as content,” she added.

Stacy Pape, owner of SP Floors in Peters Township, said during the public hearing that a multicolored sign would help her promote her business better. “We are selling higher-end products,” she said, adding that to do it in full-color digital with an image that is not moving or blinking in any way would benefit her business.

Pape said a digital sign is “not meant to junk it up, but make it more tasteful.”