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Council opens discussion on billboard zoning text amendment, favors special‑use approach
Summary
Staff proposed a zoning-text amendment to allow billboards by special use outside the US-24 corridor; council favored a cautious special‑use approach with restrictions on proximity to residences and suggested lowering the speed-limit threshold to extend potential locations.
Planning staff told the Committee of the Whole they will bring a zoning‑text amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider whether billboards could be allowed more broadly in the city through a special‑use process rather than by variance. Under current code, billboards are effectively limited to parcels adjacent to the US‑24 corridor with a posted speed minimum of 55 mph.
John Oliphant said a special‑use route would let the city attach location‑specific conditions such as setbacks from residential zones and size or lighting restrictions. He said the process would also allow the Planning and Zoning Commission and council to deny locations that are inappropriate. Members discussed changing the speed threshold to 50 mph to include additional corridors such as McCullough Road but generally cautioned against loosening protections near Peoria Street and residential areas.
Several alderpersons said they preferred a carefully tailored special‑use framework rather than ad hoc variances. The city attorney explained that a special‑use process allows a permitted primary use with location‑specific restrictions, which helps avoid future litigation and preserves consistent decision-making. Staff said a tentative public hearing is scheduled at the March Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
