Public Hearing on Watauga County Sign Ordinance February 16

Proposed Amendment Would Prohibit New Billboards

In 2008, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners enacted a moratorium on the placement of new changeable electronic variable message signs and then subsequently extended the moratorium. It will expire on April 23, 2009.

The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the Planning Board time to consider the impacts of the signs on the public, county citizens, property values, economics, tourism, recreation, health, welfare and the environment and to take specific steps to address potential concerns.

After several months of study, the Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, February 16, at 6:00 p.m. to consider recommending that the Board of Commissioners amend the sign ordinance. The hearing will be held in the commissioners’ boardroom in the county administration building, located at 814 West King Street.

Under the Planning Board’s proposed amendment, the erection of any new billboards of any kind at new locations would be prohibited, and the brightness/intensity and change frequency of on- and off-premises electronic variable message signs would be regulated.

Another proposed addition to the sign ordinance would require a 10-foot landscaping strip in the front and back of the sign if the base of the sign is visible to vehicular traffic.

Additionally, specified existing billboards could be replaced with any type of billboard, including electronic variable message signs, while others would be allowed to remain in place as long as they are kept in good repair unless the damage to be repaired is more than 60 percent of the appraised value.

The Planning Board will consider whether the proposed amendment adequately addresses the general impacts of billboards, as well as the specific impacts of electronic variable message signs, and whether the amendment sufficiently minimizes any possible safety issues.

The public is encouraged to attend the hearing and provide input.

For more info or a copy of the proposed changes to the ordinance, call the Watauga County Planning and Inspections Department at 828-265-8043.

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