Sign ordinance interpretation

Attorney for Edward Bass argued the code counts only one side of a back-to-back sign and that his client is being treated differently than Lamar and other billboard companies, raising equal-treatment and First Amendment concerns.

The applicant said his billboard dates to 2001 and that a digital Lamar sign across the street and another nearby digital sign leave him sandwiched between competitors who face different treatment.

The Lamar-affiliated (Moore Advertising) manager said Lamar met all spacing rules, denied getting favorable treatment, but agreed the square footage should count one side and asked the board to put a clear, uniform explanation on the record.