Council introduces proposed billboard zoning amendment after mixed public comment; planning commission recommended denial

The Ascension Parish Council introduced an ordinance to amend the Unified Land Development Code rules for advertisement structures in certain commercial and mixed-use districts (Item E). The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended the amendment be denied, and the council moved the item forward for consideration.

A public commenter identified in the transcript as Aiden urged the council to be transparent about the planning commission's reasons for denying the amendment and warned that billboards "increase visual blight, distract drivers, reduce scenic character of communities, and diminish the appeal of adjacent properties." Aiden asked the council to delay appointment or decisions until appointees' qualifications and potential conflicts were discussed with the public.

Scott Jones, who identified himself as a small billboard operator with Jones Signs, said the earlier tightening of sign rules had hurt small operators and property owners who count on billboard revenue. Jones told the council that changes such as a 2,000-foot spacing requirement have been "a bit excessive" compared with state or federal spacing and asked council members to consider the economic impact on small businesses and property owners.

Council members emphasized that Item E was only a motion to introduce and that detailed debate would occur at the subsequent meeting; they noted the planning commission had held its own public process and that members may review those recorded minutes for the commission's stated denial reasons. The transcript does not record a final vote on the amendment during this meeting.

The item will be brought back for public hearing and council consideration at the next scheduled meeting in Donaldsonville.