Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve sign-ordinance changes, reduce billboard spacing to 1,000 feet
Summary
Randolph County amended its unified development ordinance to change temporary-sign timeframes, reduce billboard separation from 2,500 to 1,000 feet and add a $250 specific-sign request fee; the motion passed 3-2 after planning staff said only a fraction of county land is eligible for off-premise advertising.
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners adopted amendments to the county'9s unified development ordinance that revise rules for temporary signs, alter billboard spacing and add a fee for specific sign requests.
Planning staff recommended changing the time for removing temporary real-estate and construction signs from seven days after sale to 30 days and adjusting outdoor-advertising provisions to one sign per 1,000 feet rather than per lot frontage. Commissioners also approved reducing minimum spacing between off-premise advertising structures from 2,500 feet to 1,000 feet and adding a $250 specific sign application fee to the Planning and Zoning fee schedule.
Kim Heinzer, who presented the amendments, told the board that only about 0.3% of county land is currently zoned to allow billboards, and any additional billboards would still require rezoning and Planning Board review. "This is not going to create a proliferation of billboards," a commissioner said during the discussion; staff said rezoning would be required for parcels not already zoned for off-premise advertising.
Commissioners debated whether the change would open the door to new billboards but approved the ordinance and associated findings of reasonableness by a 3-2 vote. Supporters said the updates reflect prior discussions and balance business signage needs with community protections; opponents said they preferred keeping stricter spacing.
The ordinance also formalizes removal periods and clarifies setbacks for residential property. Planning staff will update the zoning code and fee schedule to reflect the board'9s action.
