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Planning commission weighs whether to loosen billboard rules for digital signs
Summary
Staff reported a meeting with a billboard company that said the county's existing ordinance is restrictive; commissioners discussed cap-and-replace rules, a 2,000-foot digital limit near county lines, safety and aesthetic concerns, and asked staff to circulate state sign rules for further review.
Commissioners discussed whether Jasper County should consider changes to its billboard ordinance after staff met with a representative of a billboard company. The company told staff the county's rules are restrictive; staff summarized options and recommended staff provide state sign regulations and county sign standards for review.
A staff member explained that when the zoning ordinance was adopted counties restricted billboard locations and later the county amended the ordinance to allow digital billboards only within 2,000 feet of the county line along certain corridors. "The digital is only allowed within 2,000 feet of the county line," the staff member said, adding the county could consider a higher cap-and-replace ratio if it chose to permit more digital billboards.
Commissioners raised safety and aesthetic concerns, recounting previous problems with distracting lights on signs and church signs that scrolled or flashed. One commissioner asked whether digital billboards would contribute to unwanted commercial character; others suggested reviewing what neighboring counties permit. Staff agreed to email county sign standards and state regulations for outdoor billboards for commissioners to review before any ordinance amendment is pursued.
No ordinance revision was proposed at this meeting; staff said the item was presented for initial feedback and to determine whether the commission wished to consider amendments in a future ordinance process.
