While development continues at a feverish pace in Bridgeport, there is a possibility there will be no billboards going up in the city in the future if a proposed ordinance eventually gets approval.

 

During a Monday meeting of the Bridgeport Planning Commission, the group looked at a proposed amendment to the codified ordinances of the city pertaining to sign regulations. As it turned out, there was enough concern about some of the language that the matter will be brought back to the board in February.

 

Now, that matter will be addressed on Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. If approved as presented or modified, it will then go to Bridgeport City Council for approval.

 

While the primary issue discussed during the meeting was related to billboards, Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr pointed out that the amended sign regulations could impact every section of the city.

 

“It’s every zoning district from R-1 (residential one for single family units) to B-2 (large scale commercial),” said Kerr. “Our current ordinance is lacking a lot of detail and it makes it difficult when different sign companies are wanting to put up billboards, business signs or any kind of sign in the city. This is more specific.”

 

Kerr said the new ordinance could prohibit future billboards including LED billboards in the city. There will also be, if it stands, a height maximum of 48 feet from the top of the sign to the bottom of the ground. Nothing, however, is concrete as discussion relating to billboards will continue at the February meeting.

 

Although Kerr said her office received no calls or letters following the posting of the legal ad, Planning Commission and City Council member Robert “Bob” Greer did say that he was contacted by Lamar Advertising about concerns.

 

“One of the concerns … related to non-conforming status of existing signs,” said Greer, who pointed out the existing sign ordinance technically has no power due to Judge Irene Keeley ruling it invalid due to political signs and that there was no severability clause.

 

The ordinance presented Monday gave companies three years to come into compliance with the changes listed. The Commission instead opted to have the wording changed Monday to allow existing signs to be grandfathered in. However, if there are modifications done to a billboard or existing signs or they need major repair it would have to be brought into the specifications spelled out in the ordinance.

 

“Some of our current regulations do not protect our residential areas,” said Kerr. “As it stands now, the protection isn’t there. We are trying to protect them a little more.”

 

Greer also said Lamar questioned language regarding billboards and distractions. He said the Lamar officials said the new LED sign in front of the Benedum Civic Center was much more distracting than any other the other LED signs in the city. Kerr concurred saying her office receives more calls for concerns about that LED sign than any in the city.

 

The amended article has no mention of political signs, said Kerr. Past attempts to regulate political signs have failed after being tried in the judicial system in Bridgeport and statewide.

 

Anyone having questions regarding specifications or particulars concerning the ordinance can contact Kerr’s office. The number is 304-842-8209.