LED signage regulations proposed to limit bright, digital signs in Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission spoke about the possibility of implementing citywide LED signage regulations at their meeting on Tuesday. This would address the size and location of bright, digital signs that have been growing in popularity and usage.

However, after some pushback from a constituent, they deferred action on the ordinance for two months to speak to as many stakeholders as possible.

Director of the Regional Planning Commission Jeffery Tyndall opened the conversation on Tuesday by saying this ordinance was promoted by the Common Design Review Board in December last year. Then, on Dec. 21, 2023, the RPC initiated a study on behalf of the CDRB.

An interim study was presented to the CDRB around February-March, but Tyndall said the study continued on, which is what led them to today.

“LED reader boards are the signs that have the different color LEDs that can change the text, picture … at any point,” Tyndall said at the meeting. “Some have more use of images and words than others; some are brighter than others. We felt this was an opportunity to implement citywide LED signage regulations.”

Tyndall said that since Madison Street has some LED signage that’s been grandfathered in, they would still have to follow the regulations, but the location and size of the signage would be fine.

Tyndall also said for those who own LED signs, their intention is to get their messages across but not be an unsafe distraction to motorists.

While Tyndall said the RPC has reached out to several businesses, resident Clay Powers said he knows of at least two companies that haven’t been spoken to.

“There are several problems that I see with this,” Powers told the RPC. “People like me, that are extremely affected by this, weren’t asked for input. I feel like all of the people that are around town that have these signs, should be asked to come to a sit-down meeting. … There are several of these regulations that are proposed that will affect everybody here.”

Powers said some LED signs around the city cannot comply with the regulations as proposed.

The Regional Planning Commission delayed acting on the proposed ordinance for two months to try to speak to all of those who will be affected. The conversation will pick back up in November.