Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 26, 2011 Franklin Lakes Illuminated sign ordinance tabled until next month by Frank J. McMahon The ordinance intended to control illuminated signs in Franklin Lakes has been tabled by the borough council until its Nov. 1 meeting. The council decided to table the ordinance based on a letter it received from Franklin Lakes Planning Board Attorney John Spizziri, which contained some recommendations which were considered substantive by Borough Attorney Richard Lustgarten. In his letter, Spizziri advised the council that the planning board strongly suggested that houses of worship be included in the section of the ordinance pertaining to advertising signs. In addition, the board suggested that the ordinance be clarified to permit a resident or principal occupant to have two signs: one indicating his or her name and/or street number, and the other indicating an incidental home occupation. Spizziri explained that the planning board questioned whether this is the intent of the governing body and would recommend a clarification be made to that section of the proposed ordinance. Spizziri also pointed out that the Franklin Lakes Library has a red LED (light emitting diode) sign that is not permitted by the proposed ordinance, and the board questioned whether that sign ever received municipal approval. He explained that the library, municipal building, and police station are located in a residential zone and, therefore, it would appear that the library sign may presently violate borough ordinances and would definitely be in violation upon passage of this ordinance amendment. The ordinance will now be amended to address those recommendations, and the council is expected to consider an amended ordinance for adoption at its next meeting, which will be a work/action public meeting in the conference room at the municipal building on DeKorte Drive. The Franklin Lakes Public Library, located at 470 DeKorte Drive in Franklin Lakes, has scheduled several events for children. On Oct. 27 at 4:15 p.m., the After 3 Theatre Company will perform “Halloween Frights and Flights!” at the library. This program is recommended for children ages five and up. The Paws for Reading program is back by popular demand. Beginning and accomplished readers in grades one through six are invited to read to certified therapy dogs. Participants polish their reading and public speaking skills while reading to these well-behaved animals for 10-minute intervals. Young readers are invited to attend on Nov. 7 and 21 from 4 to 5 p.m. Chef Vicki will present “Kids Cook” on Nov. 9. From 4 to 5 p.m., children will learn basic cooking skills, make a tasty treat, and have fun in the kitchen. This program is Library offers children’s programs open to children in grades three through five. Artist Brandon Dorney will offer a fine arts workshop on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The program is open to children in grades three through five. On Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m., Kurt Gallagher, the acclaimed children’s entertainer, will perform his imaginative and interactive program. This Family Special program for the whole family is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Magician Brian Richards will present a Thanksgivingthemed magic and comedy show on Nov. 17 at 4:15 p.m. The program is suitable for all ages. This Family Special is sponsored by Friends of the Library. Registration is required and may be completed by phone at (201) 891-2224 or by visiting the library during regular hours. The proposed ordinance would prohibit all illuminated signs in residential zoning districts. In addition, any permanent sign permitted in the other zoning districts may be illuminated, but could not flash, blink, fluctuate, scroll, or contain intermittent illumination. The ordinance would also prohibit animation effects, including the sequential display of messages, on those signs. The provisions of the proposed ordinance, and the existing provisions in the section of the borough code pertaining to permitted signs, would affect all forms of illuminated signs, including, but not limited to, electronic changeable copy signs, digital signs, electronic message centers, on-premise digital display signs that can be observed by vehicular drivers, systems that use light emitting diodes, and neon signs. Electronic changeable copy signs are defined in the new ordinance as a sign, or portion of a sign, that displays electronic, non-pictorial text information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic, or symbol is defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes, fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the display area. Electronic changeable copy signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic displays, but not time and temperature signs. According to the proposed ordinance, all portions of electronic changeable copy signs would have to use an amber color and all portions of the sign would have to have a minimum duration of one hour and must be a static display. In addition, the sign would have to be equipped with automatic dimming technology that would automatically adjust the sign’s brightness in accordance with ambient light and would limit the lighting level to no more than 0.3 foot candles over ambient levels, as measured using a foot candle meter at a distance of 100 feet. The council has been discussing how to control the proliferation of digital illuminated signs in the borough for several months and has expressed a concern about these moving, changing signs from a safety standpoint because the scrolling signs can be a distraction to motorists.