RADFORD PASSES LAW ON BILLBOARDS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 25, 1992                   TAG: 9202250231
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JUDITH SCHWAB SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES AND WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short
RADFORD PASSES LAW ON BILLBOARDS
City Council enacted the Planning Commission's proposed ordinance on billboards Monday night.
The ordinance restricts sign size to 300 square feet and height to 35 feet. It also restricts distance from streets, dwellings, intersections and other signs. The signs also will be restricted to industrial zones of the city.
This action speeds up a section of the city's proposed zoning ordinance and prevents the increase in billboards that have been going up to beat the new ordinance.
Earlier Monday night, only two members of the public took advantage of a public hearing to comment on billboards. Both were against them.
The hearing was a joint venture between the Planning Commission and the Council. It was the public's opportunity to comment on new, more stringent standards for billboards.
Bob Felch began by congratulating the council and commission for their efforts to "prevent the trashing of the environment." He said he represented others who resent large billboards and said there was an especially "ugly abortion" of an example on the Tyler Avenue hilltop advertising "Bondurant enterprises downtown."
Charlie Whitescarver, the city's Main Street Project director, also spoke for adopting the newer restrictions.
The Planning Commission then moved to recommend City Council repeal the current billboard standards and adopt the proposed standards.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB