The Jaffrey Zoning Board approved a variance Tuesday night allowing the Park Theatre to install up to two exterior LED signs, an exception to the town’s local sign ordinance.

The theater sought relief from municipal sign regulations that strictly prohibit flashing, intermittent, or changing lights, as well as external wall-mounted, window-mounted, or freestanding neon or LED signage.

Steve Jackson, CEO of the Park Theatre, said these signs are becoming more of an industry standard and will replace the building’s current illuminated poster frames.

“What’s the difference? Very little,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the LED screens will be about the same size as the two poster frames and will be set to the same brightness as the current poster backlighting. He said the LED frames will let the theater change posters digitally and advertise multiple shows, allowing it to rotate between posters.

The biggest advantage of this, Jackson said, is that it would no longer require an employee to open the frame and change the poster, a task that requires a ladder.

“In the winter, this is really an issue,” Jackson said.

It will also allow the theater to post weather-related closures remotely, he said.

Jackson told the board that while the screens will primarily display static posters, he requested permission to occasionally show short video clips, such as ballet previews or community events like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He emphasized, however, that video was not the sign’s main purpose and was not a “deal breaker” for the project.

Zoning Board members expressed support for electronic posters but voiced concerns about video playback, citing town guidelines banning signage that could distract vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Zoning Board member Laurel McKenzie said she would support the variance if the signs were “the least bright it can be and still be effective,” and did not allow video.

Member Peter Chamberlain agreed, saying he had no issue with static images such as posters, but felt video could distract drivers on Main Street.

Alternate Marc Tieger, who was not voting on this issue, said he was supportive of the update, saying, “The theater has had such a positive impact, not just on Jaffrey, but the area. Speaking for myself, anything we can do to help the theater maintain and grow should be done.”

Jackson said there are currently only plans to replace the poster frame on the front of the theater, facing Main Street, but also asked for permission to replace the second poster frame on the side of the building at some point in the future. He said he did not have a specific timeframe to replace that frame, and that funds to purchase a second LED screen would have to be raised first.

McKenzie reminded Jackson that the variance approval must be acted on within two years, or it will become void, and he will have to reapply for a second-screen variance.

The board approved the use of the LED signs, with the conditions that they not show video, be lit only from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., have no flashing lights, and be no brighter than the current lighting.

The board approved the variance for the signs unanimously in a 5-0 vote.