Council approves package of ordinances and resolutions, including billboard moratorium

The Montgomery City Council unanimously approved a package of consent items and individual resolutions at its Feb. 4, 2025 meeting, including a six-month moratorium on new billboard structures and alterations to existing billboards.

Council members voted to adopt the consent agenda and approved ordinances and resolutions authorizing: the sale of a small triangular Waterworks property near West Boulevard; vacating a remnant unimproved right-of-way abutting West Fourth and Fifth streets; amendments to the Hope Enterprises agreement; execution of an agreement concerning the Percy Junior High School driveway; multiple restaurant retail liquor license applications (several acted on, some items carried to a later meeting); business license approvals; and multiple routine appointments and demolitions of unsafe structures. Most measures were passed by voice vote with the clerk recording unanimous support.

Planning staff presented a separate resolution placing a six-month moratorium on new billboard construction and alterations to existing billboard structures; the council suspended the rules and adopted that resolution unanimously. Warren Adams, language control administrator, told the council the moratorium is intended to allow time to draft regulations, noting an increase in requests for new or electronic billboards and gaps in current rules.

Several items were carried over for additional consideration (for example, one ordinance on special licenses and gasoline/alcohol provisions was carried over). The clerk and council noted routine procedural actions such as suspending rules to expedite adoption for some items, and in a few cases public hearings were continued to the next meeting when parties asked for more time.

The council also adopted resolutions authorizing demolition of unsafe structures and assessing costs for nuisance abatements where listed in the agenda. The meeting packet and council actions indicated these were standard administrative matters directed by staff and voted on by the full council.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in the meeting): - Consent agenda: adopted (voice vote; clerk recorded unanimous) - Ordinance authorizing sale of small Waterworks parcel near West Boulevard: adopted (unanimous) - Vacating remnant right-of-way east of Forest Avenue (near West Fourth/Fifth streets): adopted (unanimous) - Resolution: six-month moratorium on new billboards/alterations: adopted (unanimous) - Resolution: Percy Junior High School driveway agreement: adopted (unanimous) - Resolution: amendment to Hope Enterprises agreement: adopted (unanimous) - Multiple liquor license applications: acted on (some adopted; one carried over; see packet) - Business license resolutions and appointments to boards/commissions: adopted (unanimous) - Authorization to demolish listed unsafe structures pursuant to Code of Alabama §11-53-1: adopted (unanimous)

The council recorded several items as carried over to the next meeting when applicants or staff requested additional time; the clerk will publish updated packet materials before the next meeting.