Plans to modify regulations relating to billboards in the City of Bridgeport moved ahead last week but weren’t finalized. Instead, the Bridgeport Planning Commission is looking at holding another meeting later this month or early in March to finalize everything.

 

Last week, the Planning Commission presented modifications to Article 1325 of the codified ordinance of the city, which deals with sign regulations. The changes required discussion in executive session with City Attorney John Ashcom, which lasted for nearly a half an hour.

 

Once out of executive session, Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr explained to the small group gathered that existing billboards – if maintained and operational – will be grandfathered in and continue to remain in place.

 

As for the size, the height can be no more than 48 feet at the highest point. Kerr said this would not impact any existing signs in the city.  

 

New billboard construction would only be allowed in areas zoned Business-2, Industrial-1 and Industrial-2. This, said Kerr, is aimed at keeping the city’s downtown corridor neat and to eliminate intrusion into residential areas.

 

“Existing billboards in other zoned areas would be allowed to remain, again, as long as they aren’t in disrepair. Once that happens, they can’t go back up,” said Kerr. “This is primarily being done to protect our neighborhoods and there’s a desire not to pollute the downtown area with too many billboards. This isn’t done as opposition to billboard companies.”

 

Member Robert “Bob” Greer and Kerr said there were other modifications as well. The modifications included removing temporary sign regulations, removing temporary sign permit requirement, and the adding of definitions to clarify sign types.

 

Lamar Advertising Vice President Rueban Blankenship was one of the few people in attendance.  Blankenship voiced concern that the 48-foot height limit may be too much.

 

Greer explained it shouldn’t be an issue. Greer pointed to the height limit only impacting existing billboards in zones that will be banned from future billboards. Billboards in areas zoned that would allow for it would have to meet dimensions based on the zoning area the proposed billboard would be located in.

 

To make sure everything was clear, the group decided to have the law firm West & Jones revise the ordinance for presentation at the next meeting, which has yet to be set. If approved by the Planning Commission at the next meeting, the recommendation for changes will be sent to Bridgeport City Council for approval. Kerr said Council would have to have two readings of the ordinance before it’s official.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Community Development Director Andrea Kerr talking to City Attorney John Ashcom, while Lamar's Rueban Blankenship is shown in the second photo. The city's newest digital billboard, on Johnson Avenue, would remain in place under the new ordinance and others could go up in areas where zoning would allow it under proposed revisions.