TEXARKANA, Texas - After debate during a public hearing Tuesday, the City Council - by a one-vote margin - denied construction of a new electronic billboard beside a busy portion of Richmond Road.
The vote was four in favor to two against granting a specific use permit to allow the sign. Because owners of nearby businesses had submitted a petition in objection to the sign, a three-fourths vote - or five of the six Council members - was required for approval. Ward 3 Council Member Betty Williams and Ward 4's Christie Alcorn voted no.
Local company Shipp Outdoor would have built the 8-feet by 24-feet billboard at 2703 Richmond, the site of Texarkana Eye Associates, under a lease agreement with the property's owner.
Business owner Chad Shipp and his representatives argued that the objection petition was invalid, but City Attorney Jeffery Lewis advised the Council that in his opinion, it was submitted according to city rules and state law.
The petition claimed the sign would be a safety hazard - a claim its supporters denied - and worsen the aesthetics of the area.
In other business, the Council voted unanimously to rezone land at 1703 N. Bishop Road to allow a regional trucking company office and truck parking lot there; to grant a special use permit to allow a permanent cosmetics and microblading business at 4064 Summerhill Square; and to rezone land in the 3500 block of Waco Street to allow recreational vehicle and boat storage there.
The Council also voted to amend the city budget to account for a recent bond issue and to spend $15,000 in support of this year's Live United Bowl banquet.
The Council's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 25.