A billboard located on Ranch Road 12 advertises a non-existent egg business as part of a set for the TV series “Fear of the Living Dead.” filming in Hays County. CENTURY NEWS PHOTO BY SHARON CARTER
City resolution opposes highway billboards
The Dripping Springs City Council passed a resolution supporting Texas House legislation that aims to limit roadside billboards recently.
A few years ago Dripping Springs was officially pronounced “The Wedding Capitol of Texas.” With more marriage venues than any other city in Texas, its nuptial settings offer a beautiful hill country scenic backdrop. With that tourism concern, when State House Bill 1303, aka “Hill Country Scenic Highways Bill,” received endorsement from the Hays County Commissioners Court last month, the Dripping Springs City Council was quick to concur -- adopting its own Resolution aimed at protecting scenery from more highway billboards.
Mayor Todd Purcell said, “It makes sense for the City to pass a resolution in support of House Bill No. 1303. Billboards are prohibited in city limits and we have supported similar legislation in the past. In doing so, we are preserving the natural beauty of the roadways and our local economy as it relates to tourism.”
Recently filed by District 45 Texas House Rep. Erin Zwiener (D) of Driftwood, HB 1303 proposes to expand restrictions on the presence of billboards on additional roads in Hays County. It would add RM 150, FM 1826, and RM 967 to roads where the Texas Transportation Code prohibits “off-premise signage.”
Moving forward, the DS City Council adopted Resolution No. 2003, which endorses these two legislative proposals: “ (1) a bill stopping the construction of new billboards statewide; and (2) a bill allowing a national scenic byways program in Texas that will provide for additional Federal funding for roads that are either aesthetically, culturally, archeologically, historically, or recreationally significant.”
The City has no authority to stop highway billboards that lead into Dripping Springs. The resolution expresses this, and since roads are funded by state residents, the City believes the public tax payers should have a say in promotion and preservation of State and City natural beauty.
Critics claim billboards, which are permanent large structures, cause light pollution, lower property values, intrude on scenic views, and muddle the countryside with commercial advertising.
By creating state placed limits, they claim their proposals will promote enjoyment of travelers, protect public investment in State roadways, encourage economic development through tourism, and preserve natural beauty.