Clearwater Council debates rebuilding nonconforming billboards damaged by hurricane

In a recent Clearwater City Council work session, discussions centered on the future of nonconforming billboards in the wake of damage caused by a hurricane. Vice Mayor expressed a desire to amend existing regulations to allow property owners to repair or replace billboards that were damaged through no fault of their own. This proposal specifically targets a few billboards that were grandfathered in before the city’s prohibition on new billboards, which has been in place since the mid-1980s.

The Vice Mayor emphasized that the proposed changes would not benefit those who illegally erected signs or those already governed by existing agreements with the city. The focus is on providing relief to property owners whose signs were damaged unexpectedly, allowing them to restore their billboards to their previous state.

Councilman Romagnino echoed the Vice Mayor's sentiments, acknowledging the need for compassion towards the affected property owners while also expressing caution about the implications of reopening discussions on billboards in Clearwater. He highlighted the city's long-standing commitment to limiting billboards due to concerns over content regulation and visual clutter. Romagnino suggested that if the city were to allow repairs, it should also consider whether these signs could be relocated to safer, more sustainable locations.

Other council members shared similar views, recognizing the challenges posed by the current nonconformity ordinance, which prohibits the reconstruction of billboards that have been damaged beyond 50%. The city attorney clarified that while other types of signage might be repaired under different circumstances, billboards remain a unique case due to their prohibition in Clearwater.

The conversation reflects a balancing act between supporting local businesses and maintaining the city’s aesthetic and regulatory goals. As the council considers potential amendments to the sign code, the outcome could have significant implications for property owners and the visual landscape of Clearwater. The council plans to continue discussions on this topic, weighing the needs of the community against the city’s long-term vision for signage and urban development.