Abbeville officials discuss electronic signs being added in city

Flashing, neon signs are great for Las Vegas.
However, officials in Abbeville want to make sure that the city does not end up looking like the Vegas strip.
The Abbeville City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday evening during an ordinance committee meeting to move forward with a plan that would keep new electronic signs from going up. The signs have become increasingly popular with businesses.
Sections of the city already prohibit new signs from going up. That includes zones that feature parts of District A and District C, which includes the downtown area.
“We are getting more and more requests for these digital signs,” Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said. “I don’t particularly care for those signs because they can hinder traffic. They are bright and they can possibly cause an accident.
“I don’t particularly care to live in a city that has all these neon signs flashing everywhere.”
The ordinance to stop further implementation of the signs will be brought up during the next regular city council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19. If passed during that meeting, the ordinance would go into effect 30 days after that.
Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., District B, said he agrees the ordinance is needed.
“Is there anything we can do in the meantime?” Touchet asked. “We are looking at around 45 days before this would happen.
“We don’t want anything to fall between the cracks during that time.”
The city council members agreed to put a moratorium and will advise the Planning and Zoning Commission not to OK any new signs before the next council meeting.
“We ask that they not approve anything on the signs until the council makes a decision,” Touchet said. “I am talking about city-wide.
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr, whose District C includes downtown, said the signs can take away from the area’s historic appeal.
“We need to protect the integrity of our cultural and historical
district,” Broussard said. “I think the public really wants us to do those things to keep our uniqueness.”
Touchet said his issue with the signs stems from safety.
“The history aspect is important,” Touchet said, “but this is about the safety of our citizens. People are already distracted by cell phones and texting.
“If you take your eyes off the road for something like these signs, it could cause an accident.”