Keeping it clean in Jefferson County

It's been more than 10 years since Jefferson County passed a billboard control law. At the time, we fought hard to prohibit any new billboards, but the law that passed simply capped the number of boards. Since then, cities have grown (e.g. Hoover) and several new ones have incorporated (e.g. Center Point). A lot of those cities prohibit billboards, although they still have "grandfathered" boards to contend with.

The county's law creates a loophole that can force billboards on cities that don't want them, if there are unincorporated areas within or next to the city. We want to change the law to not allow any new billboard construction at all, or as an alternative to require the County Commission to hold a public hearing.

This article in the Birmingham News explains the issue and Scenic Alabama's proposal. I'll post more details in a couple of days, but I invite anyone who would like to join us in this effort to contact your county commissioner. We need action sooner rather than later!