Council hears debate on digital billboard code amendment; first reading cleared unanimously

The Port Orange City Council held a public hearing and approved on first reading an amendment to the Land Development Code to allow a reconstruction-agreement process for certain nonconforming billboard signs, including replacing static faces with LED faces at designated locations along I‑95 and Ridgewood Avenue. The motion to approve ordinance 2025-19 carried on a 5-0 vote.

Tim Burman, planning staff, told the council the amendment would permit applicants to request a council-approved reconstruction agreement to remove existing static sign faces and install LED faces at specified billboard locations. He said the proposed language mirrors technical standards used in prior code amendments and includes message timing and brightness criteria.

Rob Merrill of Cobco and Pete Costanza of Lamar Advertising answered council questions on technology and community impacts. Merrill said modern LED billboards use automatic dimming systems that reduce brightness at night and that other jurisdictions with similar boards impose brightness and timing limits. "There's actually an automatic dimming system in these boards," Merrill said.

Council members asked for assurance on nighttime brightness near residential areas. One council member noted a local LED board that had been visually intrusive when not dimmed and said he expected residents to call elected officials if a board malfunctioned. Merrill and Costanza said operators typically respond to complaints and that codes include dimming and message timing standards; staff said a reconstruction agreement would include enforceable operating conditions and that the planning commission recommended approval.

The first reading passed 5-0; staff said the ordinance would return for a subsequent reading and that specific reconstruction agreements for locations would come back to the council for approval.