Billboard Ordinance Passed

The City Council unanimously overrode a veto by Mayor Barbara Doerr and adopted an ordinance requiring all new billboard applicants to obtain conditional-use permits from the Planning Commission.

The ordinance, which will take effect early next month, also limits the boards to a height of 45 feet and a surface area of 300 square feet. Doerr had urged the council to adopt a stricter ordinance that would eventually eliminate billboards from the city.

Councilwoman Kay Horrell introduced an amendment to the ordinance that would delete all restrictions on height and size but retain city control through the conditional-use permit process. A vote on the amendment is scheduled for June 10.

The ordinance is intended as an interim measure to give the city more control over the signs until a city review of commercial development standards is completed next month, City Manager Tim Casey said.