COMMITTEE REPORT - 1708 Island Highway – Elements Casino DP2017/06 Form and Character Electronic Sign Lighting Levels
Report presenting additional information on the 'N2' electronic sign at Elements Casino, including recommended lighting intensity limits.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: J. Davison, MCIP RPP, Planner DATE: March 22, 2018 MEETING DATE: April 10, 2018
SUBJECT: 1708 Island Highway – Elements Casino DP2017/06 Form and Character Electronic Sign Lighting Levels
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council receive the report from the Planner entitled “1708 Island Highway – Elements Casino DP2017/06 Form and Character Electronic Sign Lighting Levels” for information.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES’ COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to present additional information regarding the ‘N2’ electronic messaging sign proposed at Elements Casino.
BACKGROUND
On January 23, 2018 Council approved the majority of Form and Character Development Permit DP2017/06, which had a sign plan incorporated as a major component. The ‘N2’ electronic messaging sign described in this report was tabled for discussion pending research and a demonstration of the sign lighting levels for Council.
Staff provided a lighting demonstration for Council on Tuesday March 20 at the Public Safety Building, with a display of the sign lighting intensity (as measured in ‘nits’).
PROJECT INFORMATION
The sign in question is the electronic portion of this sign below. The remainder of the sign was approved in January.
The N2 freestanding sign contains a 4x8 foot low-resolution 96x200 pixel electronic message centre. The design is in keeping with the form and character of the building and the other freestanding sign.
The sign will require a variance to the sign portion of the Land Use Bylaw’s prohibition against moving signs.
The recommended conditions associated with the sign within the report to Council are as follows:
- Electronic Message Board on the ‘N2’ freestanding sign be limited to static messages and images of at least 15 seconds in duration.
- Signs must not emit or be lit by light that is brighter than 200 nits between the time of sunset and sunrise (nighttime) and 2000 nits between sunrise and sunset (daytime).
- Light intensity and timing of illumination must be adjustable on all signs.
- Illuminated signs must not be mounted at an upwards angle (more than 90 degrees from horizontal).
- External sign illumination must not project light at an upwards angle (more than 90 degrees from horizontal).
Additionally, at that time Council requested that there be a ‘hood’ placed over the electronic messaging sign to prevent errant light from the sign impacting adjacent properties; particularly the Coho buildings to the east. That hood will be incorporated when this sign comes to Council for approval.
Lighting Levels
Staff’s lighting demonstration for Council was based on the lighting intensity levels at the Public Safety Building Electronic Messaging Centre:
| Light Intensity Level setting on sign | nits |
|---|---|
| 100% | 5588.9 |
| 50% | 2165.3 |
| 30% | 1070.8 |
| 20% | 587.1 |
| 10% | 220.4 |
| 5% | 88.7 |
It was generally agreed by members of Council that 10% at night, or 220 nits, was more or less reasonable as a limit for nighttime lighting intensity on the sign. Staff recommends a 200 nit limit as the maximum recommendation for this sign (and for the maximum lighting levels within the draft Sign Bylaw) with the knowledge that most of these signs will be set on an automatic schedule from a minimum lighting display of 5-10% nighttime level, and close to maximum on bright, sunny days. The signs have light meters, and set the lighting accordingly when on automatic mode.
Based on observations of various daytime light levels at the Public Safety Building sign, staff recommend increasing the level of the daytime intensity. During a daytime field test, staff observed the Public Safety Building’s lighting levels at 50% and deemed that to be on the upper end of reasonable for bright daytime lighting; cloudy days will warrant less intensity. The recommendation is for 2000 nits to be the daytime maximum, which is slightly below the 50% illumination level.
The revised staff recommendations for maximum lighting levels for this sign and for the sign bylaw are as follows:
- Signs must not emit or be lit by light that is brighter than 200 nits between the time of sunset and sunrise (nighttime) and 2000 nits between sunrise and sunset (daytime).
The 2000 nits daytime level is low compared to the real-world intensities likely to be displayed, but it does leave room for enforcement if necessary. It is possible for property owners to request a variance for these lighting levels, giving Council the ability to consider special circumstances and the context of future signs.
TIMELINE
The application is expected to come to Council on April 17, 2018 for approval.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council receive the report from the Planner entitled “1708 Island Highway – Elements Casino DP2017/06 Form and Character Electronic Sign Lighting Levels” for information.
SUBMITTED BY: J. Davison MCIP RPP, Planner
REVIEWED BY: L. Chase MCIP RPP, Director of Development Services
Document Images
(3)
