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A proposal before the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners calls for a change in the land development code that would drastically change the limitations on signage along highways and industrial areas.

Among the proposed changes: Highway billboards raised from 30 feet to 60 feet and local street signs raised from 15 feet to 30 feet. Every business that has 150 feet or more property fronting the street would be able to have a ground sign. And those signs could grow to 1,000 square feet; 2,000 square feet in industrial areas.

But probably the most drastic change would be the proposal allowing signs to be flashing or florescent.

Tampa entrepreneur Andrew Harrow proposed the changes to the BOCC earlier this month. In one BOCC meeting, he brought up Hong Kong’s signage as a positive sign of growth.

But some might say Hillsborough County’s roads are already overrun with signs and too many billboards. And if this proposal passes, county roads could turn into crappy versions of the Las Vegas Strip, without the quaint fountains and marble hotels.

This comes at the same time that the county’s code enforcement officers are cracking down on those little signs people stick on the side of the road advertising rent-to-own homes and various jobs. The city of Tampa has also taken a hard stance on signage, most recently ordering WTVT Fox 13 to remove the huge weathermen posters towering above their studios on Kennedy. (The same huge posters that won our Best of the Bay Award for Best Giant Visage.)
The good news: county staff has recommended denial of the proposed sign rules. Bad news: County commissioners can always break from what staff recommends. And they do often.

If you want to put your 2 cents in, the BOCC is holding a public hearing on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. inside the Hillsborough County Center in downtown Tampa.

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