Politics & Government

Mayfield Middle School To Have City's First Electronic Sign

Mayfield Heights Council split on vote confirming Board of Zoning Appeals decision.

will have a sign with LED graphics – the first electronic sign in – following approval on Monday by City Council.

The council vote was 3-3 to confirm the decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals, which granted a variance to allow for LED graphics. Since there were not enough votes to reverse the BZA decision, the sign was approved.

Councilwoman Diane Snider said she was conflicted in that she wanted to support the school district, but was concerned about setting a precedent. She talked to residents across SOM Center Road from the school who were concerned about the sign and thought even more problems could be created if signs were sought elsewhere.

She said some areas, like a stretch of Lander Road, have several schools and churches and might all want such signs.

"I don't think the residents over there on Lander would want it any more than the people on SOM," Snider said.

Council members Donna Finney and Paul Sciria also voted against the BZA decision, while Anthony DiCicco, Joe Mercurio and Gayle Teresi voted in favor. Councilman Nino Monaco was absent.

Mayor Gregory Costabile said people shouldn't be too concerned about setting a precedent because changeable copy signs are only allowed for churches, government, schools and gas stations, according to city codes.

"You're not going to see a number of signs up and down Mayfield Road," he said.

Costabile added that the school district agreed to additional conditions, including using only one color (green), there will not be any graphics and there will be no more than three messages per minute.

"This is the proper precedent to be setting," he said.


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