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Brownsville planning commissioners repeal billboard pilot and adopt new illumination limits
Summary
The Brownsville Planning and Zoning Commission voted to repeal a two-year billboard pilot and incorporate third-party illumination standards into the Unified Development Code, effectively returning the city to a no-billboard policy and applying new light limits to business signs.
Brownsville planning commissioners voted Thursday to repeal a two-year billboard pilot program and adopt new illumination standards in the city’s Unified Development Code.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved an amendment to UDC Section 5.3 that removes the pilot allowance for billboards and incorporates illumination limits recommended by a third‑party consultant, the commission heard. The change follows complaints from residents about overly bright billboards installed under the pilot and reflects the city’s interest in qualifying for a Scenic City USA certification.
City staff told the commission the pilot program had been established in August 2023 and ended on Dec. 31, 2024. The city retained a consultant, Frizz and Nichols, who provided lighting and electrical engineering recommendations based on standards from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Commissioners were told those recommendations will be used to measure and enforce lighting levels for billboards and for business signage that has affected adjoining residential areas.
A commissioner said she supported the change, citing out‑of‑state communities with strict sign rules and saying the measures improve visual character. Staff recommended approval of the ordinance amendment, which repeals the pilot billboard section and adds the consultant’s illumination methodology to the code.
The commission closed the public hearing and voted to approve the repeal and amendment. The meeting record also shows the commission approved minutes from its March 6, 2025, regular meeting earlier in the session.
According to the agenda item, the repeal returns the city to a policy that does not allow billboards. The newly adopted illumination standards will also apply to certain commercial signs when their light affects neighboring residential properties. Staff indicated code enforcement officers will use the new standards to address complaints.
