Committee refers scenic‑corridor ordinance to Quorum Court to limit roadside billboards near XNA connector

Benton County justices voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to send an ordinance proposal to the Quorum Court that would let the county designate portions of Highway 612 (the Springdale northern bypass) and the XNA connector as scenic corridors and prohibit off‑premise signage along unincorporated sections of those routes.

Judge Morin introduced the ordinance and said it defines signs and off‑premise signs, allows the county to prohibit billboards on designated scenic corridors (with exceptions for state‑approved signs), and asks the court to send the measure to Quorum Court for three readings. "Once you allow them, you really can't regulate the content," he said while explaining why the county should decide now to designate the corridor before billboards are erected.

Philip Taldo, identified by the judge as chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission, addressed the committee in support and said keeping the airport connector and bypass uncluttered helps tourism and visitors' first impressions of the county. Committee members raised property‑rights concerns and asked for specifics (setback distances and permit processes); presenters said many details will be available during the Quorum Court process and invited state staff to appear for questions.

Several justices said they favored protecting a short, highly visible stretch of roadway rather than imposing widespread sign restrictions across the county. The committee voted to forward the ordinance request to Quorum Court for the three‑reading process and public hearings in December, January and February.