Beach leaders to vote on electronic signs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Beach Planning Commission is reviewing a proposed amendment to the City Zoning Ordinance that would regulate electronic display signs, also known as LED signs.

Lawmakers believe they could cause drivers to become distracted.

As technology evolves, so do the tools businesses use to attract customers.

"You've got only a few seconds before they (drivers) pass," said Senior Pastor Prentis McGoldrick with Thalia Lynn Baptist Church. "You've got to have something that catches their attention."

Electronic LED signs are popping up all around the area. It's a fancy way to let people passing by see what you have to offer.

"It's been very beneficial for us, because 40,000 cars a day go passed this place and we're getting the word out better way than we ever had before," Pastor McGoldrick added.

Thalia Lynn Baptist Church members in Virginia Beach spent $90,000 on their high definition quality sign. The pastor says it's paid for itself.

"We've always hidden behind the billboard that's over here and a lot of people just didn't know we were here," Pastor McGoldrick said. "When we put the sign up, it was like we got put on the map."

But Virginia Beach lawmakers are now thinking about banning some of the signs saying they're too distracting for drivers. A new city zoning ordinance would regulate the LED's.

"It does catch my attention and I do kind of read them," said driver Tonya Jackson.

If passed, the signs wouldn't be allowed to be higher than eight feet off the ground and could only be so bright. Some drivers agree, others don't.

"I think the drivers get distracted when they do something stupid like talk on a cell phone," driver John Raguth added.

"You know, I got one eye looking at that (the sign) and one eye looking where I'm still driving, so it is distracting," Jackson added.

The Thalia Baptist sign would be okay, because the new law would only apply to signs that haven't yet been installed. Pastor McGoldrick says so far the sign has only been a bright light for the church.

"We're seeing a lot of visitors coming in and I think it's simply because they know we are here," Pastor McGoldrick added.

The pastor says his sign has been running since July and in that time only one person has complained it's too bright.

The Virginia Beach Planning Commission will take up the issue. They're holding a workshop Monday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, on the second floor of City Hall. The commission is asking the public to weigh in on the issue.

The proposed ordinance can be viewed by clicking here .