Description
This building recently had 2 signs installed in the front windows. The signs are digital displays that rotate advertisements, flash and I think show short video clips. They're very large (almost the size of the whole window) and seem like they might be in violation of the sign ordinance. I understand why it's a great place to advertise as there are lots of people always waiting at the light on both streets, but also feel that it's probably very distracting to drivers who already have a lot to think about at a very busy intersection. I don't know if a single business occupies the buildling or if the owner is just renting out the windows for advertising.
Any info on if this is allowable would be great. Thanks!
67 Comments
JME (Registered User)
Glenwood Neighbor (Registered User)
Rhett (Guest)
arkansasbill (Guest)
Take it Down (Guest)
It's a dangerous distraction to drivers at an already very busy intersection with cars and pedestrians. Besides that, it is distasteful and obnoxious.
Good analogy to MM's troubles, who went the proper route, btw. I am sure they did not have these approved.
Acknowledged City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
Annette (Guest)
City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
Take it Down (Guest)
Annette (Guest)
annoying (Guest)
5 Pts resident (Guest)
Take it Down (Guest)
Halifax St (Registered User)
Annette Byrd (Registered User)
Not Vegas (Guest)
Packpimpin (Guest)
The Downtrodden (Guest)
JME (Registered User)
J (Registered User)
Drove by it yesterday. Still on, each of the two LED signs still change several times a minute. Incredibly distracting at one of the busiest intersections downtown, especially at night. I could see this causing an accident eventually.
Saw them advertising their own ad space with the number 919-675-2338 listed underneath.
After nearly TWO WEEKS they have not reduced the time between transitions to 4 times per 24 hours. I wouldn't be surprised if it's more like 100 times per day currently. City of Raleigh: I think it's time for the "more aggressive form of enforcement".
TID (Guest)
The Downtrodden (Guest)
TID (Guest)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
J (Registered User)
SCFDD (Registered User)
John (Guest)
Then I guess the next step would be to ask the city council to consider changing the sign ordinance to not allow obnoxious signs like these.
They seem to change every 20 or 30 seconds.
Halifax St (Registered User)
The Director of Transportation can override this per Sec.10-2083.3:
"The following signs are expressly prohibited within all zoning districts:
(2)
Illuminated, highly reflective signs, or spotlights which the Director of Transportation determines hampers the vision of motorists or bicyclists."
Halifax St (Registered User)
Also found in Sec. 10-2083.1:
Any conforming sign, unless otherwise specifically regulated, may be illuminated provided the following standards are met:
(1)
No illuminated sign shall cast light to exceed four-tenths (.4) maintained footcandle illumination onto a residential zoning district.
(2)
Any light from any illuminated sign or flood light used to illuminate a sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that the light intensity or brightness shall not interfere with the safe vision of motorists, or bicyclists, as determined by the Director of Transportation of the City. Any light source used to illuminate a sign shall not be visible from a residential zoning district.
(3)
All internal illumination shall not exceed ten (10) footcandles measured at a distance of ten (10) feet from the sign.
(4)
All electrically illuminated signs shall have a disconnecting switch located in accordance with the provisions of the National Electric Code.
(5)
For all illuminated signs, applications for both a sign permit and an electrical permit shall be submitted and approved by the City prior to the installation of any illuminated sign.
I have a calibrated light meter, I'll try to check the foot-candles. I'm pretty sure the sign exceeds the standard.
J (Registered User)
JGuth (Guest)
Sure
The house diagonal across from it is zoned residential, so I'm not sure how it geta buy with that (not allowed to light residential), but I'll check the output.
Annette (Guest)
City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
RaleighMochaMan (Registered User)
The Raleigh City Council met on Monday to discuss the UDO, the new development regulations for the City of Raleigh that go into effect on September 1. The CityGate sign issue was discussed for approximately 12 minutes. You can view this discussion by clicking on the link below and then moving the slider to 27:25.
http://raleigh.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=24&clip_id=3587
It appears the new regulations will prevent this fiasco from happening again.
J (Registered User)
Closed City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
TID (Guest)
JME (Registered User)
Carole Meyre (Guest)
DBDowntowner (Registered User)
J (Registered User)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
I don't consider this fixed, although enforcement of the timing of the flashing is definitely a good thing!
"Fixed" to me regarding this issue means it's taken down, and while I see this may indeed be mandated once the UDO is put into action, does this all mean we get to see an advertising free-for-all on the corner of Peace and Glenwood (one that only changes 4 times a day) until that unspecified date?
It's obvious now that CityGate is not in the least interested in what we in the neighborhood thinks about anything (see also painting over the mural). I believe we need to pursue further getting the signing taken down completely, the sooner the better.
Whether we do that though the city council, or some kind of consumer action, we should try. I'm sure CityGate wouldn't enjoy being portrayed in the press as the bane of neighborhoods in the city they propose to service... yes?
Sign Hater (Guest)
Reopened City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
The Zoning Division has responded. A notice of violation has been processed and mailed to the property owner and the tenant (CityGate) by first class and certified mail. In the notice we state: City of Raleigh Code Section 10-2083.3 (7) Prohibited Signs.
The following signs are expressly prohibited within all zoning districts:
(7) Any newly created flashing signs. Travelling lights, or signs animated by lights or changing degrees of intensity, except signs in public rights-of-way.
At present, there are two large TV screens positioned behind the windows at 700 Glenwood Avenue. It has been determined by the Zoning Administrator that the constant flashing of the TV screens advertising CityGate Real Estate, as well as other services from other companies, is considered a prohibited sign.
To resolve the violation, the TV screens must be programmed to not flash by the changing of information or images by 07/18/2013.
I will update you on 07/18/2013 on the status of the case.
JME (Registered User)
Sue D (Registered User)
Closed admin@raleighdla.com (Registered User)
Sue D (Registered User)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
Reopened glenwoodian (Registered User)
First, I'd like to thank the folks here at SeeClickFix for reopening this issue so we can continue working for our desired outcome. The following is from an email thread started last night, please pardon the repetition if you've received this already ;-)
The obnoxious flashing signs in the old CityGate building on Glenwood and Peace are turned off, but the property owner is appealing the designation by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Yeah. There must be some advertising money involved.
From the Board of Adjustment Agenda for next Monday's meeting:
=====
7)A-69-13 WHEREAS, Dee Four LLC, property owner appeals for an Interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance and/or appeal from an action of the Zoning Enforcement Officer regarding the interpretation of Code Section 10-2002 as to the definitions of “Flashing sign” and “Signable area”; and Code Section 10-2083 which prohibits: “(7) Any newly created flashing signs, travelling lights, or signs animated by lights or changing degrees of intensity, except signs in public rights-of-way.”
The applicant asserts that two large electronic screens positioned behind windows are not flashing signs as interpreted by Staff.
The property is located in the Neighborhood Business zoning district with Pedestrian Business Overlay at 700 Glenwood Avenue.
=====
This agenda is available here: http://www.raleighnc.gov/content/BoardsCommissions/Documents/BoardOfAdjustment/BOAAgenda.doc (Sorry, this is a Word doc, that's what the city is providing)
=====
Has a neighborhood presence been planned for this hearing? I assume we can have a say at the hearing, I've never been part of this process before. I know not everyone can make a midday meeting on a Monday, but some of us can. What are your thoughts, neighbors?
RALEIGH BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Monday, August 12, 2013, beginning at 1:00 P.M. in the Council
Chamber, Room 201 of the Raleigh Municipal Building located at 222 W. Hargett Street,
Raleigh, North Carolina.
Acknowledged City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
me (Guest)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
J (Registered User)
Halifax St (Registered User)
hugh (Guest)
City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
Annette (Registered User)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
@Annette and everyone else, the Historic Glenwood-Brooklyn Neighborhood Association is appealing the ruling by the Board of Adjustment that allows the sign as long as it doesn't change more than four times in a 24-hour period and only advertises for their own business.
The biggest reason it is allowed is that it's inside the window. HGBNA is appealing that this is a sign like any other and is not allowed in the special Peace Street zoning area. I'll quote from the agenda:
"8) A-76-13 WHEREAS, Historic Glenwood Brooklyn Neighborhood Association, a historic neighborhood association, appeals for an Interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance and/or Appeal from an Action of the Zoning Enforcement Officer with regard to signs with changing copy located within the property known as 700 Glenwood Avenue.
The Association asserts the signs are not permitted in the Pedestrian Business Overlay district and the Peace Streetscape Plan.
The subject property’s owner is Dee Four LLC and CityGate Real Estate Services, LLC, and is located in the Neighborhood Business district with Pedestrian Business Overlay. "
This appeal will be heard at the next Board of Adjustment meeting on Monday, September 9, 2013 at 1 pm.
Again, if others can attend as support for the representative for HGBNA, it will help show support.
I'll post here if they change the date and time. Last hearing they changed it 3 hours before the meeting :-(
Jennifer (Guest)
Earlybird1954 (Registered User)
City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
Rhett fussell (Registered User)
@JGuth can u please email me ASAP!!! Packpimpin@g m a i l dot com
Want to talk about light reading today
I Wear My Sunglass at Night... (Guest)
glenwoodian (Registered User)
Closed SeeClickFix Moderators (Registered User)
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