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Council introduces two-option billboard amendment: tighter spacing and no stacking proposed
Summary
Staff introduced two options to amend billboard rules: Option 1 would prohibit new billboards; Option 2 would regulate spacing (1,000 feet), ban stacking, and require some owners to remove older structures to build new ones. Planning scheduled a Dec. 9 public hearing; business and billboard owners expressed support for Option 2.
The Hammond planning department presented proposed amendments to the unified development code addressing billboards on Nov. 18, offering two alternatives. Option 1 would eliminate new billboards; Option 2 would allow new billboards under a regulatory framework that increases the minimum spacing from 500 to 1,000 feet, bans "stacking" (placing billboards side-by-side or one on top of another), and would require an owner seeking a new billboard to remove a certain number of older structures. Staff said the changes would also require better maintenance of existing signs and clearer ownership labels so the city can contact owners to enforce upkeep.
Public commenters included a local resident who said he had proposed regulations and asked the city to consider them, and a speaker representing billboard owners who said Option 2 is "pretty fair" because Option 1 could harm companies with significant investment in existing structures. Staff said all amendment options are posted on the city's planning webpage and that a public hearing will be held Dec. 9. Council voted to introduce the amendments for later public hearing.
