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Friendswood council debates sign ordinance after new electronic billboard draws criticism
Summary
Council members and staff debated amendments to the city sign ordinance after a recently relocated electronic billboard drew complaints about size, location and nighttime brightness; staff said the current billboard is vested under TxDOT permits and immediate changes won’t apply retroactively.
Council members opened a wide-ranging discussion about Friendswood’s sign rules after a newly installed electronic billboard near the city center drew objections from homeowners and several members of the council.
Council member Ross said the relocated billboard is “obtrusive” and urged limiting the nighttime luminescence of digital billboards to avoid distracting drivers. Staff noted that Texas Department of Transportation permits and state rules govern replacement billboards and that the particular sign was vested at its permitted size and location when permitted, meaning an immediate ordinance change would not affect it.
City Manager Morad Kabiri and staff described possible ordinance changes that would require zoning for billboard relocation, set stricter nighttime “nits” limits, or require vegetative screening where billboards are visible from residential areas. Supporters said tighter rules would protect neighborhood character; others said the sign provides a public-communications channel the city could use for alerts.
The workshop produced no immediate ordinance vote. Council and staff agreed to place refined language and additional options on a future agenda and to consider a summer retreat to discuss comprehensive sign-policy goals and public communications.
Ending: Staff will draft specific ordinance language (luminosity caps, zoning triggers, screening options) for council consideration and public review at a future meeting.
