By Joe Bachman

In a special council meeting called by the Planning Commission, a motion was approved to allow an animated sign for Coldwell Banker on 8th St. South.

The permit needed to be approved by the common council before being put into action, but was met with some objections. Alderperson Scott Kellogg is concerned about the potential hazards of having an animated sign on a busy street when other animated signs already take up space, as well as the dangers of every business following suit.

“I’m concerned because of texting. One minute we talk about how people shouldn’t text while they drive, and the next minute we provide, right in front of you, texting from those animated strips,” said Kellogg. “We worry about accidents, and this sign is near a students crossing.”

Coldwell Banker representative J.R. Siewart focused on the state’s current use of animated signs. “When you’re going through a highway construction project, notice what they are using. They’re using animated signs to get their message out, and they’re doing that because they found it safer,” said Siewart.

The motion was approved to allow Coldwell Banker to use an animated sign by members of the common council.