ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — After a past application from The Wharf and the latest push from Columbia Southern University, the city of Orange Beach is facing an ordinance to allow light emitting diode signs

With a recent trip to neighboring coastal cities, the council and city staff observed the aesthetics of streets lined with LED signs.

On Tuesday the city held a public work session to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of allowing the electronic advertisers.

“We want to define what’s acceptable, with regard to LED signs, if we will allow them,” Engineering and Environmental Services director Kit Alexander said.

Alexander presented a range of regulations to consider if the signs are approved.

Size limitations and percentage of a screen to the total sign, message frequency, color restrictions, types of signs and limitations of graphics and pictures were all hot topics derived from the field trip.

“They were endless, all along the beach,” Alexander said. “It seemed that every city we went through, with the exception of Sandestin (Fla.), has digital signs.”

Detailed considerations, like whether graphics would be allowed to scroll, flash or fade, will also have to be addressed.

Tricky to the ordinance is the city’s desire to avoid billboards and the fear of opening the door to electronic billboards.

The city is currently tangled in a law suit with billboard company Lamar Advertising Company.

“We need to be careful because of concerns about billboards,” Alexander said.

During the session, the council’s acceptance of the proposal appeared to be split.

Councilman Jeff Silvers said he has felt a public outcry for these signs from the business community.

Also supportive of the signs was Councilwoman Joni Blalock.

“We have got to take care of our businesses,” Blalock said. “If our businesses are not able to sell or make money then we aren’t able to make money.”

Council members Pattisue Carranza and Ed Carroll opposed the LED signs.

“It’s a distraction. I would hate to see (highways) 182 and 180 going up and down the street with those lights blinking in your face,” Carroll said.

Mayor Tony Kennon said he saw the need for the signs, but in a restricted manor.

“There are certain areas where we are going to have to have them,” he said. “Maybe we need to separate out uses where we have to have (LED signs).”

Although LED signs have never been allowed in Orange Beach, the city owns two.

In 2002, the City Council under former Mayor Steve Russo voted to install a LED sign in front of City Hall.

The electronically changeable sign is not in compliance with the city ordinance. Not only is it an LED sign, it is larger than prohibited. The sign ordinance allows 100 square feet per side for a monument sign, the city sign is 120 square feet.

The Wharf erected an LED sign at the corner of the Foley Beach Express and Highway 180 in 2005, also under Russo’s reign. By allowing the sign, the city gained ownership of the sign and is able to advertise with it, amidst ads for The Wharf.

Discussion of these signs at the meeting showed members of the current council was not happy with previous administration’s decision to approve the sign at City Hall. However, Silvers reasoned leaving the sign since tax dollars paid for it.

A second work session will be held Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. at the Orange Beach Community Center.

Kennon and Alexander both expressed the need for the business community to have a strong presence at the meeting on Tuesday night.