HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2004-037 Resolution Protecting Community Choice on Billboards and Opposing Senate Bill 1056a~ -oz ^~ y
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING ORANGE COUNTY'S OPPOSITION TO
S.B. 1056 MONETARY GOMPENSATION -OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Gener-al Assembly creates laws for the citizens and
local governments of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has long had the authority to make decisions regarding the
County's appearance; and,
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance for
other local governmental units to make their own choices about community appearance;
and
WHEREAS, preserving the rural character of Orange County is becoming increasingly
important to our local economy by helping to draw tourists, and attract and retain
businesses; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has taken great steps to preserve the natural appearance.
of its major transportation corridors; and
WHEREAS, Orange County would like to retain the ability to remove billboards and off-
. premise signs through amortization; and
WHEREAS, courts have repeatedly upheld the legality of amortization; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1056 would eliminate an important tool used by local
governments to remove billboards and require expensive and unnecessary payouts to
the billboard industry for their removal;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners that the Board opposes Senate Bill 1056 "Monetary Compensation -
Outdoor Advertising" that would prevent communities from amortizing billboards and
other off-premise signs and require local government units to compensate outdoor
advertising companies up to five times the annual revenue from each sign to have it
removed.
This the 2"d day June, 2004. ~-+
Barry Jacobs, G~hair
Orange County Board of Commissioners