SPRINGDALE -- The billboard by the railroad tracks downtown could be moved in the future, which one official said would improve aesthetics.
Aldermen and city officials forwarded to the City Council an amendment to city code allowing a billboard to be moved out of the downtown area. The move would also require approval from the Planning Commission, said Patsy Christie, city director of planning and community development.
Other Business
Springdale aldermen on Monday forwarded the following items to City Council:
• Changing a deposit amount for Springdale Animal Services. The deposit on cat traps is $20, and which would change to a $75 deposit on traps.
• Settlement of $10,000 in connection with a project on Cambridge Street.
• Selling an ambulance to Lowell.
• Demolishing structures at 906 Mockingbird Lane, 970 Mockingbird Lane, 908 Mockingbird Lane, 910 Mockingbird Lane, 1214 S. Thompson St., 1216 S. Thompson St. and 1218 S. Thompson St.
• Using $251, 962 from the capital improvement program to help pay for street work.
Source: Staff Report
The billboard sits just east of the railroad tracks on the south side of Emma Avenue. It sits between the railroad tracks and a parking lot.
The city hasn't allowed any billboards to be placed in the city after May 27, 2008, according to city code. A billboard erected before that date, however, can be moved as long as it stays on the same property.
There's only one billboard downtown, Christie said. It doesn't fit into the streetscape upgrades officials desire in that area.
Mayor Doug Sprouse said he thinks moving the billboard would be good for downtown. Moving the billboard would better comply with the downtown plan and would improve aesthetics.
"The ability to move one, I think, is a good thing," he said.
City Council approved the plan in December. The boundaries of downtown are Quandt Avenue and Caudle Avenue to the south, Huntsville Avenue to the north, Thompson Street to the west and Old Missouri Road to the east.
Billboards aren't allowed to be taller than 45 feet and can have two sign faces at most, according to city code. Each sign face can be a 300 square feet or 600 square feet when next to a divided highway.
Officials have had preliminary discussions with the owner, who's interested in moving the billboard, Sprouse said. Sprouse and Christie didn't know the name of the owner.
NW News on 05/17/2016