Stafford council approves Clear Channel agreement for a new digital billboard on Highway 59

The Stafford City Council on Wednesday approved a development agreement with Clear Channel Outdoor LLC to install a new off‑premises digital billboard on State Highway 59.

Lee Veil, a Clear Channel representative, told the council the company has displayed nearly 1,000,000 messages for the city across two existing billboards and that the proposed board will provide the city five two‑week periods each year to display its messages and support emergency communications. "We are very proud of our partnership with the city of Stafford," Veil said, and noted the company’s regional emergency messaging network with county partners.

Council members asked about whether the proposal would increase the number of boards in city limits and about timing. Veil said the installation is planned in the city limits as a trade (removing an older traditional board) and that TxDOT permitting will govern the schedule: once the TxDOT permit is issued the installation could take a few months. The packet included a community benefit clause stating Clear Channel will pay $20,000 to the city toward permitting and related costs.

The council moved and approved the agreement at the meeting; no public comments were offered during the hearing on the item. Staff indicated the location remains subject to final negotiations with landowners and TxDOT permitting requirements.

The council did not provide a roll‑call vote tally in the transcript; minutes will record the formal vote and any final permit conditions.