The Davie Town Council on May 21 approved three ordinances changing Chapter 12 of the town code to update rules for off‑premise signs and to create a process for off‑premise digital signs, after extended public comment and a request by one council member to postpone the measures.

Council action came after a resident and industry representative, Matt Ashley, urged the council to adopt a different model that would require removal of existing static structures or payment of a one‑time fee, saying that approach generated “millions of dollars in direct revenue” for another Florida city. Ashley told council he was “fully in support of digital billboards when implemented under a fair and balanced ordinance,” but said the draft before Davie lacked lighting studies and created “subjective approval” by council.

The ordinances before council amended: (1) Chapter 12, article 8, section 236, on prohibited signs; (2) Chapter 12, article 8, section 244, on off‑premise signs; and (3) Chapter 12, article 8, section 247, creating off‑premise digital signs. The ordinance language, as read into the record, includes application procedures, deadlines for applicants and an advertised hearing timetable for July 23 for those who apply.

Council member Carol Starkey repeatedly urged caution. She asked for more time to review an updated Florida Department of Transportation study and public records about who had contacted staff about digital billboards; Starkey said residents in several neighborhoods had long opposed billboards along the I‑75 corridor. “This is something that is time forever,” Starkey said, arguing the town should hold a workshop and get additional information before approving final rules.

Despite Starkey’s request to table the items, motions to approve each ordinance passed by the following roll calls: Ordinance 22 (prohibited signs) passed with Council member Lewis, Mayor Judy Paul, Vice Mayor Hatton and Council member Whitman voting yes and Council member Starkey voting no. Ordinances 23 and 24 passed by the same 4–1 margins. No abstentions were recorded.

Town Attorney present at the meeting said staff had worked with outside counsel and was “confident that the ordinances in front of you are legally sufficient,” though he acknowledged any ordinance could still be challenged in court.

The town manager and staff will publish an application and accept submissions for off‑premise digital sign permits beginning May 22 at 9 a.m., with a June 12, 5 p.m. deadline for packet submission to be considered on the July 23 council agenda, per the notices read during the meeting. The ordinance includes a notice requirement that applicants will be placed on the agenda in the order their completed application was received.

Council members and residents indicated further changes could still be proposed in subsequent meetings, and one council member said she had requested public records related to prior contacts about billboards. The passage of these ordinances allows a regulatory pathway for limited off‑premise digital signs as written, but several council members and members of the public said they intend to continue reviewing the town’s approach and associated studies.