HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2011-035 Resolution Expressing Orange County’s Opposition to Senate Bill 183RES - 2011 - 035
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition To Senate Bill 183
Regarding Regulation of Vegetation Removal For Outdoor Advertising
Structures and Preemption of Local Government Land Use Authority For
The Placement and Type of Outdoor Advertising (Billboards)
Whereas, the regulation of outdoor advertising structures has long been
considered a matter best left to local control and regulation, since each local
government reflects distinct community values on balancing the demands of
commerce with the preservation of the natural and visual environment, making it
undesirable, except for the billboard companies, to implement aone-size-fits-all
solution for perceived statewide billboard issues; and
Whereas, the 1965 federal Highway Beautification Act was primarily intended to
preserve scenic beauty along the nation's major roadways, particularly by
removing and regulating billboards because outdoor advertising structures have
long been regarded as aesthetic blemishes, particularly in undeveloped areas,
and can also create an unsafe traffic situation, distracting motorists; and
Whereas, Orange County has maintained consistent billboard regulations since
June 1984 when it adopted its- current outdoor sign standards in major
transportation corridors (Interstate 40, Interstate 85, U.S. 70, N.C. 86 and N.C.
57) as part of its zoning ordinance; and
Whereas, Orange County is noted for its excellent quality of life, based on a
longstanding commitment to the preservation of green space, the environment,
agriculture, and rural character, and safeguards these attributes and benefits
significantly from its tourism and housing industries in part by maintaining the
community's outdoor advertising standards consistent with its land use
regulations; and
Whereas, research cited by the American Planning Association reveals that
changeable copy LED billboards can be more distracting to motorists than
traditional billboards, even as a body of evidence grows indicating that
distractions both within and beyond the vehicle are hazards to safe driving;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners expresses its opposition to Senate Bill 183 and any other similar
legislation that attempts to 1) preempt local regulation of vegetation removal for
outdoor advertising and 2) ow:r~ride local government land use authority
regarding the placement and type of outdoor advertising, especially billboards.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
encourages members of the Orange County legislative delegation to oppose any
legislation which preempts local governmental regulation of vegetation removal
and landscape requirements for outdoor advertising and/or overrides local
government land use authority regarding the placement and type of outdoor
advertising (billboards).
This the 12th day of April 2011. ~~~1'
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners