Contentious Bloomington billboard ban vote shelved after legal question
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Bloomington business owners and organizations may need to find other advertising solutions as the city weighs banning billboards.
However, for now, the Bloomington Plan Commission is holding off on a final vote. They initially supported the measure in September to nix the billboards for aesthetic reasons, saying eliminating unapproved and unnecessary road signs will contribute to a more consistent streetscape and reduce driver distractions.
When the debated topic came in front of the board Monday, they decided to postpone their second approval until the legal question of how billboard owners would be compensated was answered. The plan commission will likely take up the matter again at its next meeting Nov. 6.
An amendment must come in front of the plan commission twice, and if passed, it moves onto the city council for final approval.
Mayor John Hamilton’s administration proposed the amendment to the board. Hamilton’s term ends this year, and his successor will be selected in November.
If ultimately approved, removal isn’t imminent. The city would crack down on billboards in specific zoning districts over a three-year period, starting in January 2029 and stretching through January 2031.
The city had about 47 billboards in 2014, which was the last year the city surveyed the number of road signs. The city said some billboards have been since removed. Some of those structures also include more than one sign.
The city’s move has puzzled residents and angered business owners. Several contested the measure in public comment at Monday night’s meeting.
In an Oct. 6 letter to the plan commission, local realtor Lori Todd said businesses and not-for-profits rely on billboards to promote their products, missions or charitable events. She said leases and agreements also exist, which could end up in court using taxpayer money. She calls for more research and time to be dedicated to the topic before it is voted forward.
“If the City decides to remove these billboards, legally installed and approved signage, I would have to question the boundaries of other agenda items,” Todd wrote. “Where would we draw the line?”
The city and its largest billboard operator Lamar Advertising are also in court over a similar matter. The Board of Zoning Appeals gave Lamar a citation for its electronic billboard, saying it did follow code. Lamar is suing in turn, but its billboard could come down anyway if the ban passes.
The case is scheduled to hear oral argument Dec. 14.