Council, residents speak out to oppose electronic billboard

The Homewood City Council chambers were abuzz on Friday about an electronic billboard being installed at Lakeshore Drive and Green Springs Highway. About 35 people were in attendance for the city council’s special called meeting at noon, and according to a vote of raised hands during the meeting, all were opposed to the billboard.

After a 30-minute executive session, the council passed a resolution to “deplore” the placement of the board and pursue any and all options to eliminate it. The original resolution under discussion urged the Jefferson County Commission to reconsider the billboard’s installation.

Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington addressed the council during the meeting, saying that the board falls within the C1 zoning regulations for the property, which is located in unincorporated Jefferson County. It fulfills the 300-foot distance requirement for such signs required by the county and never came before the commission, he said.

“This is not the answer we all want, it’s not the answer I want,” Carrington said, noting that he has received 30-40 emails about the billboard. “We have done a lot of investigations since the [Homewood] mayor called Wednesday at 5 p.m.”

Carrington said his opinion is that the best thing residents can do at this point is put economic pressure on the gas station and the advertising company.

“There is a great right of way there that is a good place for people if they would like to express free speech,” he said.

Council member Fred Hawkins asked Carrington about driving safety.

The way it’s sitting coming up to busy intersection [is] going to be a real issue,” Hawkins said. “Safety trumps the ordinance most of the time.”

ALDOT has not issued a permit yet for the sign, and Hawkins said the council will be asking about it.

Additionally, council member Heather Reid brought up pedestrian safety.

“This is the only pedestrian and bike throughways we have getting to the greenway, so I think it’s important to the safety feature,” she said.

Council member Peter Wright’s comments about the situation elicited an applause from residents in attendance.

“When a staff member of the county gets information along these lines, there needs to be some cognizant thought that there’s a giant billboard going 300 feet and 5 inches from a residential area and maybe should have some communication with adjacent jurisdiction,” Wright said. “We all have limited resources, but with something as dramatic as this, I would have liked to have thought that good communication would have helped.”

Circle K Incorporated owns the gas station property, and New Point Outdoor is placing the billboard on the property. Carrington said residents concerned about the property can contact David DuBose at 254-5815, 221-5815 (cell phone) or ddubose@newpointoutdoor.com.

Council member Britt Thames said he reached out to New Point about attending Friday’s meeting, and they said they did not feel it was necessary.

Carrington also encouraged Homewod to look at its zoning regulations. City Attorney Mike Kendrick said Homewood’s zoning ordinance states that billboards be restricted to facing the interstate.

Update: Scott Dean has started an online petition against the billboard on change.org.

• Previous coverage: Council calls meeting over gas station sign