Hemet forms ad hoc to study digital billboards, relocation and revenue options
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Summary
After a staff presentation on relocating and converting existing static billboards to a limited number of digital displays, the council created a two‑member ad hoc committee (Mayor Peterson and Councilmember Connie Clark) to study locations, ratios and revenue terms with stakeholders.
The Hemet City Council on May 13 established an ad hoc committee to study a proposed program to replace existing static outdoor advertising displays with a smaller number of digital billboards under a relocation and net‑reduction agreement.
Monique Alanis Flater, Community Development Director, summarized staff’s draft zoning amendment to permit relocated digital outdoor advertising displays under narrow circumstances. The staff report said the city currently prohibits new outdoor advertising displays but that a relocation/net‑reduction agreement could remove a number of existing static signs while allowing a limited number of modern digital displays on city‑owned property or rights of way.
Flater said the city and the Planning Commission considered eligibility criteria, photometric studies, LED light‑blocking technology, and size limits — capped at a 30‑foot height and 240 square feet per panel in the draft language. The Planning Commission recommended limiting displays to Florida Avenue and adding provisions to compensate property owners who lose static‑sign revenue, or to adopt a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio for replacements.
Council discussion addressed likely placement, revenue sharing and the number of digital signs Hemet should allow. Staff discussed draft deal terms previously discussed with Billboard operator Lamar, including potential base rent and revenue splits. "There are a couple of options," a staff member said, citing a draft that suggested annual rent equal to the greater of $30,000 on double‑sided digital relocated billboards or $20,000 on single‑sided boards, or 25% of gross advertising revenue.
The council voted 5–0 to create an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Jackie Peterson and Councilmember Connie Clark to review Planning Commission recommendations, likely locations and deal terms with staff and stakeholders. The motion was made by Councilmember Lodge and seconded by Councilmember Mayles.
The council also received correspondence from at least one property owner (Robert Bridal) requesting an exemption to keep his existing location and upgrade to a double‑sided digital billboard; that correspondence will be part of the ad hoc’s review.
Staff and commissioners said the committee will examine traffic counts, site suitability, revenue models, and compensation for property owners losing static signage revenue before returning recommendations to the full council.
