Sandusky Planning Commission approves electronic message board at 1931 Cleveland Road

The Sandusky Planning Commission on a unanimous roll-call vote approved a conditional-use permit to replace an existing pylon sign with an electronic message board at 1931 Cleveland Road, the site known locally as Thirsty Pony/Cedar Corners.

Planning staff presented the application from Advanced Line Signs and Lighting on behalf of property owner S and S Realty and said the proposal meets height and area limits for General Business zoning. Staff recommended approval with standard conditions, including that all applicable permits be obtained, that brightness “shall not impose a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic nor a nuisance to surrounding property owners,” adherence to applicable ODOT safety standards on timing and brightness, a 10-second minimum display time and a ban on animated or flashing content, the staff presenter said.

The recommendations sought to balance business signage needs with pedestrian and driver safety. A commissioner asked how the city would determine a brightness hazard; planning staff said enforcement would be complaint-driven and that the city does not currently use a fixed lumen cap. Staff cited a recent example in which an electronic message board at a nationally registered historic church was asked to dim its white background at night and switched to a darker background with white lettering.

A commissioner voiced a design concern, noting the sign base is nearly 7 feet wide and angled and could present a sightline issue for bicyclists rounding a nearby corner; he described the suggestion of using two pylons instead of one as a non-binding option to improve visibility. The commissioner added he would not oppose the application over the design issue but offered it for the applicant to consider.

After discussion, the commission moved, seconded and approved the application with the staff-recommended conditions. The roll-call recorded Tom Tucker, Mike Zulof, Jim Jackson, Pete McGorry and David Miller as voting yes.

The conditional-use permit approval is subject to the listed conditions and final permitting from the building and engineering departments before construction can begin.