Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Anti-billboard law proposed

"Bob, I've got emphysema."

Most residents in Las Vegas have seen that anti-tobacco billboard all over the city. But under a new ordinance proposed by the North Las Vegas Planning Commission, billboards would no longer be popping up on every corner.

Instead under the proposal, billboards would be allowed only along Interstate 15. All other billboards now located in commercial or industrial areas would have to be removed after a 10-year time period at the owner's expense.

The new ordinance was initiated after citizens began complaining about city billboards. The proposal mirrors that of the city of Henderson. Billboards are only allowed along Boulder Highway and U.S. 95 there.

"(The new ordinance) will give the city a better image and relieve it of visual clutter," Planning Manager Steve Baxter said.

He estimates there are at least 30 billboards around the city that would end up being removed if the ordinance is passed.

"If the council determines they don't want to have billboards along the corridor, eventually they'll have to come down," he said.

Wednesday night's meeting was a workshop to give planning commissioners a chance to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed ordinance.

Although the workshop was designed to include the billboard association in the discussion, no representatives were present.

Planning commissioners were given a thick packet of photocopied pictures, showing the many billboards around the city.

The ordinance follow the same criteria as the current ordinance for the remaining billboards. They would still be no larger than 672 square feet and no taller than 60 feet. The minimum separation between billboards would remain 750 feet.

The Planning Commission plans to discuss the ordinance at its next meeting, Sept. 22, when they will again invite the billboard association to provide comments.

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