The Albert Lea City Council voted Monday to send a request by the American Legion Leo Carey Post 56 to the Board of Appeals.

The request was to hang an electronic messaging board on the front of the Legion building on North Broadway Avenue.

Councilor Larry Baker, who motioned to send the request to the Board of Appeals, said he would feel more comfortable allowing that board to review and interpret the downtown’s sign and zoning ordinances.

Legion Manager Todd Utpadel, said the sign, which is part of a commander’s project for Commander Rex Stotts, would not only help promote Legion events but also different city and county events, too. Various events for service organizations would also be included, and the system would tie into Amber Alerts.

Utpadel said the sign would not be a flashing, letter-changing sign but would be static.

It would be the only time and temperature sign on the north end of Broadway Avenue, he said.

“We understand we are in the historical district, but we are not a historical building,” Utpadel said. “We aren’t asking to change a historical building or make any modifications to a historical building.”

Information would rotate every nine seconds, and every 30 seconds the time and temperature would come up.

“It’s probably more informational about the city and the county than it will be what we do,” he said. “The sole purpose was to bring something that would enhance the city of Albert Lea, not just the American Legion.”

Resident Sheila Schulz voiced her opposition to having the sign in the downtown area, and noted she thinks it might be better somewhere else where there is more traffic.

Councilor Al Brooks said his concerns about the board being a turning billboard for all sorts of businesses in town were cleared up.

He said he did not think the issue needed to go to the Board of Appeals and was the sole vote against the motion.