Former Alderman Opposes Billboards

PANEL HAS APPROVED SIGNS AT FIVE LOCATIONS ALONG HIGHWAY

PRAIRIE GROVE — Former Prairie Grove Alderman Paul “Murph” Pair addressed the City Council last week, complaining about the new billboards along U.S. 62.

“This opinion is mine and mine only,” Pair told his former colleagues. “I really don’t like it. I wish you’d modify the ordinance and not allow anymore than what you’ve already allowed.”

Pair added, “If I wanted to look at billboards, I would have moved to Springdale.”

While the City Council did not decide to stop allowing any more billboards, it did vote to expand the restrictive area for billboards.

The current ordinance allows billboards along U.S. 62 from the eastern city limits with Farmington to the bridge over the Illinois River. On the western side of town, billboards are allowed along U.S. 62 from the western city limits to the bridge over the Muddy Fork of the Illinois River. Billboards are prohibited through town.

The council on Oct. 18 voted to restrict billboards along U.S. 62 on the eastern side of town. Billboards will only be allowed from the eastern city limits to Highway 170.

“We’ve had some discussion and calls about the signs,” said Mayor Sonny Hudson. “There’s space for billboards in the valley and that is not a good place for a big billboard sign.”

The amendment to the city’s billboard ordinance will not affect the billboards already approved by the Prairie Grove Planning Commission.

Pair said he has enjoyed living in Washington County and not having to look at billboards.

He noted that “some very good companies” in Prairie Grove have purchased advertisements on the billboards, adding he knows that businesses need signs and that he does not think Prairie Grove has any issues with other signs in town.

“My personal opinion is that I don’t like them and it’s certainly something I would not have voted on if I was still on the council,” Pair said.

City Council member Dale Reed is sales and marketing manager with PG Telco and the telephone company is advertising on one of the billboards.

Reed said he does not have a problem with the billboards but added he was glad the city council voted to restrict billboards from the downtown area.

“As far as expense, it’s a good way to get your name out there,” Reed said. “You get a lot of eyeballs on it for a reasonable price.”

Hudson said he realizes there probably is a need for billboards but he preferred the large signs were not in Prairie Grove.

“I can live with them, especially with the boundaries we’ve set,” Hudson said.

Alderman Doug Bartholomew also said he does not particularly like the billboards in Prairie Grove.

I can see the need but I don’t think we need to overdo it,” Bartholomew said.

City Council member Buddy Lyle said he did not have a problem with the billboards.

“The Planning Commission studied that pretty thoroughly before they recommended it to the council,” Lyle said. “That’s why I voted for it.”

The City Council approved the billboard ordinance at its May 20 meeting. Billboards are only allowed in areas zoned business or manufacturing. Billboards on U.S. 62 must be spaced a minimum of 1,300 square feet from any other billboard on either side of the highway.

The Planning Commission has approved billboards on U.S. 62 at the following loca- tions: 13152 W. Highway 62, 15770 W. Highway 62, 12570 W. Highway 62, 12821 W. Highway 62 and 11678 Cactus Jack Road.

Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works, said City Hall has received about 10 complaints about the billboards.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER A former Prairie Grove City Council member has expressed his dislike with new billboards along U.S. 62 going into Prairie Grove. The Planning Commission has approved billboards at five locations along the highway.