Council, Planning Commission weigh Lamar proposal to digitize select billboards; staff and commission urge caution

The Laramie City Council and Laramie Planning Commission spent the April 22 joint work session examining a proposed text amendment from Lamar Advertising to allow conversion of some nonconforming billboards inside city limits to digital displays.

City planning staff presented regulatory options and limits, emphasizing that municipalities can control location, spacing, size, height, illumination and motion of signs but cannot regulate content because of First Amendment constraints. Director Derek Tini told the council a major policy decision — allowing conversions or enlargements of nonconforming billboards — would likely be more appropriately considered as part of the city’s comprehensive‑plan update. "If we are looking at going that route, maybe a good idea to postpone, until we are able to have those discussions through the comprehensive‑planning process," Director Tini said.

Lamar representative Megan Getz and local Lamar staff described the company’s proposal and the technology. Getz said Lamar seeks a one‑for‑one conversion of existing static structures and provided technical exhibits and operational details, including a typical dwell time of eight…