Staff outlines draft billboard ordinance to allow special‑use review on higher‑speed corridors; council urges caution

Staff briefed council on a draft revision to the city’s billboard regulations that would open the possibility of billboards through special‑use review rather than the current, more limited permissibility. Under the draft, billboards could be considered adjacent to corridors with posted speeds of 40 miles per hour or greater and a sliding scale would set allowable square footage by speed band. The draft aims to permit billboard proposals in limited circumstances while retaining case‑by‑case special‑use scrutiny.

Council members asked who had requested the change and expressed concern about broadening billboard allowances. Staff acknowledged interest from outside parties and emphasized that the draft retains special‑use review to protect the city’s interests. Multiple members said they prefer considering proposals on a case‑by‑case basis rather than broadly expanding allowable locations. Staff will continue working on the draft and return for future discussion with planning and zoning.