Jackson may let billboard firms expand

Major changes to billboard and cellular phone tower regulations may be on the way in Jackson.

At tonight's study session, the Jackson Board of Aldermen will discuss the final third of a 138-page planning and zoning document that lays out several changes in what will and won't be allowed in Jackson.

The changes were approved by the planning and zoning commission as well as a small committee of city staff members.

Final adoption of the document won't come until at least Dec. 15, after more discussion by the board, a public hearing and a final vote.

If the zoning ordinance is passed, billboards will be allowed along more city roads, but the required distance between each sign will be greater.

Under the current code, billboards are only allowed in Jackson along Interstate 55. The billboards that have been erected elsewhere in town were put up before the city adopted regulations.

The proposed zoning changes would allow billboards on High Street north of Independence, or Route D; along Jackson Boulevard; and along High Street south of Jackson Boulevard.

However, the proposal only allows one billboard every 2,000 feet on the same side of the road, 600 feet more than the city allows along Interstate 55.

"We've had a lot of interest from Drury Southwest and from Jansco Signs for wanting more opportunities, but we didn't want them everywhere," said Jackson building and planning superintendent Janet Sanders. "So we came up with some high-traffic, nonresidential areas where they would be allowed."

David Jansen of Jansco Signs said his company recommended most of the changes proposed by planning and zoning.

"Our industry would no longer be outlawed in the city of Jackson," he said. "We would be content with the recommended changes we have proposed."

Jeff Bohnert, president of Drury Southwest Signs, said DSW has about four or five billboards in Jackson.

"We've just been kind of waiting to see what happens in Jackson," Bohnert said. "If they allow us to have more billboards, we'll certainly have to check out what is available, but we're not out there pushing for more signs in Jackson."

In addition to new billboard rules, the proposed zoning ordinance will have a new set of cellular phone tower regulations. Jackson based much of its new regulations on Cape Girardeau's tower requirements, Sanders said. Currently, the city requires a special-use permit, but has no guidelines for approval or denial of the permit.

The city will still require a special-use permit for cellular phone towers, but the zoning proposal includes the following requirements:

If a tower is within one mile of an existing tower, the applicant must submit evidence why the existing tower can't be used.

The new tower must be designed to accommodate the use of at least two other providers at reasonable terms.

The design of the tower and accessory structures must use building materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping to help the tower blend into the surroundings.

The tower shall be set back from any public street right-of-way line a distance equal to the height of the tower.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635