JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The look of Jacksonville Beach is changing, and longtime resident Jim Overby doesn’t like it.
“We don't want 3rd Street to look like a pinball machine,” he told Action News.
Overby is concerned about the digital LED signs that some local businesses, and even the city, have recently installed.
“It's been very controversial,” Overby said.
That fight is heating up. The current sign ordinance in Jacksonville Beach says the signs can change only once every 24 hours, but Mayor Charlie Latham says that is too long.
Latham says the 24-hour rule ties the city’s hands when it comes to putting out up-to-date information during critical emergencies like hurricanes and Amber Alerts.
“If someone would ask my opinion, I would probably look at 30-45 seconds is reasonable,” Latham suggested.
Right now the Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission is considering a proposal similar to Jacksonville, where digital signs can change every eight seconds.
Changing the law, however, would affect every digital sign, not just those controlled by the city, and Overby said that would be an eyesore, and could be dangerous for drivers.
“They don't need to be distracted by a sign that's changing every few seconds,” said Overby.
Latham said he understands that concern, and is hoping for a compromise before an emergency.
“We don't want anyone to think that we're becoming Las Vegas or Daytona Beach, but we do, in fact, want to make sure the signs are functional when we need them most,” Latham said.
The Planning Commission has been considering a change to the ordinance since April, and continues to look for evidence to determine how often the signs can change without posing a risk to drivers.
WJAX
