More than a year after the Albert Lea City Council denied a request to place an electronic message board on a downtown Albert Lea building, city officials are considering a new proposal that would allow the signs in all commercial districts, including the historic downtown — with some limitations.

Albert Lea Community Development Director Bob Graham said an amendment to Albert Lea’s sign ordinance is expected to come before the Albert Lea Planning Commission for a workshop on March 1. At that time, members of the business community and the commission will be able to discuss the proposal.

People can also review the proposed ordinance amendment from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the National Vitality Center.

Graham said there are several significant changes in the amendment, in addition to simply allowing electronic boards in all business zoning districts.

According to the proposal, the electronic signs must contain a steady message for at least eight seconds, and the message must change within one-half of a second.

Scrolling, flashing, fading or any form of movement would not be allowed; however, existing electronic signs not meeting this standard would be permitted to continue as nonconforming signs.

The suggestions came after a citizens committee met to explore the issue.

“It was something the community had to explore because it was significantly different than what the city had in the past,” Graham said.

Other changes include the following:

• The city can no longer control sign content.

A home occupation sign and a real estate for-sale sign would be treated the same in a residential district. These signs would be limited to six feet in residential districts.

• Projecting signs in the downtown would be limited to a 3 1/2 feet projection and 4 feet in height. They would need to be 8 feet above the sidewalk.

• A-frame sidewalk signs would be permitted during a store’s business hours.

• Temporary signs would be permitted in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot to promote events.

People would need to go to the city’s Inspection Department to get a permit for the sign.

Signs would be placed on the unpaved area for up to 14 days. Only one sign would be allowed at a time.

• City staff would be able to remove signs that have been without a message for one year or that have an event that has already passed.

Graham said there are other updates and edits to the legal language as well.

He said if there is a general concurrence by the people attending the Planning Commission on March 1, a public hearing will be set in front of the commission on April 5. Following the hearing, the commission may make a recommendation to the Albert Lea City Council, and the council could hold a public hearing on April 25.

Once an ordinance is adopted, it takes 30 days for it to become effective.

Graham said the sign ordinance was originally adopted in 1976, though it was amended in the early 1980s.

If You Go

The public is invited to the National Vitality Center from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday to view and discuss the proposed sign ordinance. Also during the same time, the Broadway Avenue streetscape plan will be available for review, and information about the proposed downtown facade improvement grant will be given.

Architect Pat Waddick and archeologist Robert Vogel will be present to draw sketches of downtown buildings to show how the buildings can be refurbished in a historic context.

From 5 to 8 p.m., Vogel will review artifacts that people bring in.