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Council approves CUP amendment allowing off‑site billboard north of I‑235 after split advisory recommendations
Summary
After differing recommendations from the District Advisory Board and Planning Commission, Wichita’s City Council approved a CUP amendment to allow a 35‑foot off‑site billboard on property west of North Seneca north of I‑235 by a 4–3 vote.
The City Council on Feb. 15 approved an amendment to the Dukes Diamonds Community Unit Plan to permit an off‑site (billboard) sign with a maximum height of 35 feet on property north of I‑235 and west of North Seneca.
Planning staff told the council the property is about 9.9 acres and currently developed with athletic fields. The Planning Commission recommended approval 13–0; the District Advisory Board recommended denial (4–2), citing concerns from residents about light pollution from a digital sign, potential property‑value impacts, and traffic safety due to driver distraction.
At the council meeting, members discussed buffer conditions, existing lighting at the highway and nearby ballfields, and the absence of formal studies showing that billboards reduce property values. After a first motion to deny the amendment failed 4–3, Vice Mayor Johnston moved to adopt the Planning Commission findings and approve the amendment; that motion passed 4–3.
Planning staff noted no valid protest petitions had been filed within the statutory protest period; therefore the item could be approved by a simple majority vote. The council authorized necessary signatures and instructed the city clerk to publish the approving resolution.
Council action does not itself build a sign; any sign installation will be subject to the CUP conditions and future permitting processes, and the council discussed ensuring compliance with sign‑code rules and light‑management options at the development or permit stage.
