Scoreboard ordinance proposed for Tipp City Park

» Location set for stadium

The Tipp City Planning Board voted June 13 to recommend City Council approve the ordinance that would add scoreboard sign regulations to city codes.

The ordinance deals specifically with the scoreboard proposed as part of the stadium project and fundraising efforts by the nonprofit Tipp Pride Association. The group is working to raise $5.6 million privately for a stadium through sale of naming rights, advertising and other efforts

The ordinance would allow a scoreboard with 35 feet maximum height and 625 square feet of space. The current scoreboard is 25 feet tall and 300 square feet.

“This is a big setback if we can’t get this (scoreboard) approved,” JD Foust, Tipp City schools’ athletic director, told planning board members.

The ordinance was proposed after the city zoning appeals board in May voted to deny requests for variances in existing codes for scoreboard dimensions.

A new scoreboard is part of a proposed stadium improvements project that would include a new field along with new bleachers, press box, locker rooms, ticket booth, restrooms and concession stand.

Schools Superintendent Gretta Kumpf told the board the stadium committee looked at other facilities and scoreboards and believed the proposed size would be “a good enhancement.”

City Manager Tim Eggleston said the ordinance was proposed after discussions with school officials on their options following the appeals board’s decision. The schools could have appealed the vote to Miami County Common Pleas Court.

Because the existing sign ordinance does not specifically address scoreboards, Eggleston said the school officials were told they could ask to add language addressing scoreboards.

“The schools wanted the opportunity to do so, so I asked staff to propose language based upon the schools’ proposal as a starting point for discussion with the planning board. The planning board can then look at the request and either approve the language, disapprove the language, or modify the language prior to forwarding their recommendation to the council,” Eggleston said.

In comments to the board city resident Abby Bowling asked if the ordinance would set a precedent, and if standards would be changed for others.

Before the board vote, Chairman Stacy Wall said an improved stadium would result in increased facility use. “The code section that is proposed is written very specifically for this one sign, which is a good thing,” she said.