Missoula County Zoning Regulations Billboard Amendment

I am generally against this amendment to prohibit all new billboards. Although I can understand why some may favor limiting the use of billboards, I am concerned that it will hurt local businesses who are trying to attract people into their businesses. This regulation would be taking a resource away from small business. Prohibiting re-construction of billboards that are damaged based on cost seems unreasonable. If the amendment allows existing billboards to remain in place, then owners of those billboards should be able to re-construct them without a County regulation determining how much cost is too much to repair or re-construct them.

As a resident of Missoula County, I strongly support this initiative. Reducing the amount of power consumed in Missoula, specifically, power consumed from NorthWestern energy's 55% stake in the Colstrip powerplant, is an important step to reducing emissions of not just carbon, but other toxic chemicals. Unit 4 of the Colstrip plant is the largest emitter of lead and arsenic in the nation, and Unit 3 is the third largest. Reducing the amount of these toxic chemicals in our beautiful state is much more important than any benefits that electronic advertising could bring.

This article highlights just how polluting the Colstrip plant is:
https://meic.org/montanans-dont-deserve-highest-coal-plant-pollution-rate-in-the-nation/

As a resident of the city of Missoula, I support this amendment. Because much of Missoula's power comes from the Northwestern energy 55% stake in the Colstrip power plant, I believe that reducing the amount of power consumed within the city is an important step in reducing the amount of pollution created by the Colstrip plant. The Colstrip power plant is unique for how outdated and dirty its power generation is. Specifically, the unit 4 of the power plant has the highest degree of arsenic and lead output in the entire country. Reducing the amount of these toxic emissions is much more important than any electronically-lit billboard advertisement.

This article highlights the outrageous levels of pollution created by the Colstrip plant.
https://meic.org/montanans-dont-deserve-highest-coal-plant-pollution-rate-in-the-nation/

I agree with and support this initiative. I have considered both sides and while there may be some lost revenue for those who work in advertising, the pros far outweigh the cons. I am quite certain that no one would truly miss billboards even if they completely went away. The world is full of too much advertising and electronic stimuli. Wouldn't it be great if the human population could pull their noses out of their phones a bit more, myself included. The distraction, accidents, light pollution, and general disturbance to all the areas that have them will not be missed. Going forward with a more peaceful vision for Montana is never a bad thing, as most initiatives and "progress" do the exact opposite. It enhances Montana without them, and too often we think we need more and then come to figure out less was best and that is likely why most of us live here in the first place. Let's work on preserving the greatness that is our bountiful scenery. It needs no distraction. Thank you kindly.

I support the proposed amendments to the zoning regulations. Missoula’s beautiful landscape does not need digital billboards or even more regular billboards. Frankly, a digital billboard is a potentially more dangerous distraction to drivers who should be paying attention to the road.

Missoula is in a unique natural location. Its beauty, easy access to the outdoors and relaxed lifestyle should be highlighted. Keeping our skies as dark as possible, our landscape is natural as possible speaks clearly as to what we value as a communitty.

Digital billboards? A big blinking and flashing NO NO NO in multiple blinding blue light colors.

I endorse the Billboard Amendment to the Missoula County Zoning Regulations. The main traffic corridors through Missoula have a glut of Billboard. Some appear to be old and grimy. Others are too bright and because of this it becomes a safety issue. The overuse of billboards makes our beautiful town look cheap and dingy. Amending this regulation will move us toward improved visual grace, improved safety, and help Missoula expand its splendid nature.

Thanks,
Arthur Daniel Adcock
6918 Alisha Drive
Missoula 59803

I thank the Missoula leadership for proposing this action to protect our beautiful views from more billboard eyesores. Those beautiful views are part of our quality of life, and I have never met anyone who indicated that billboards added to their enjoyment of our area. The thoughtful restrictions prevent new billboards and the conversion of existing billboards to digital billboards that use a lot of electricity, increasingly distract drivers and confuse migrating birds. Please do vote 'yes' for this amendment to zoning regulations.

Dear Commissioners:

I strongly support the proposed amendment to the zoning regulations regarding billboards, and applaud the County for addressing the blight that billboards create on our beautiful landscape.

The proposal is reasonable in that it allows existing billboards to remain, if in good repair. It prohibits new billboards and conversion of existing ones to digital displays. We do not need to further mar Montana’s roadsides with advertising for the following reasons:

1. If billboards didn’t shift our focus away from the road, businesses would not use them. Billboards distract drivers, especially when there is a lot of text that keeps a driver’s eyes off the road too long. Digital billboards are especially distracting in my opinion, with their bright lights and frequently changing ads.
2. When the traditional ads are changed, the old material ends up in our waste stream.
3. Some people say we live in a “brandscape” rather than a “landscape.” In our society, we are constantly bombarded with advertising and encouraged to consume more. Enough already. This is one small step the County can take to reduce the constant advertising overload.
4. Digital billboards use a lot of energy for their displays and for cooling; instead, we need to conserve more. Accordingly, I believe this proposed amendment would advance the County’s climate mitigation goals.
5. Billboards detract from our scenic views and open spaces. Billboards, often advertising for large corporations, make our community feel more homogenized, like everywhere else, rather than promoting our unique sense of place.
6. If the area near the Wye is to eventually have more homes with a high quality of life, it will need to feel a lot more like a community and a lot less like an interstate truck stop as it does today. The industrially zoned areas subject to the proposed amendment are a reasonable focus and hopefully will contribute towards enhancing the quality of life in the area, which is increasingly mixed use, including residential.
7. Light pollution confuses birds and contributes to the loss of insects. This part of the County is an Important Bird Area and critical habitat for migration and nesting. No doubt, the rapid development underway is already diminishing bird habitat and interfering with migration. Prohibiting digital billboards and the light pollution associated with all billboards can help to address these kinds of threats to birds and insects. Numerous studies have documented the decline of many bird and insect species.
8. Light pollution also affects people who are sensitive. Let’s promote dark skies!
9. I would like to see the regulation applied to the entire County, but this is a good start.

Thank you for working on this issue. I respectfully urge you to vote “yes” on this amendment to our zoning regulations.

I support this amendment. No new billboards and no digital billboards! The International Dark Sky movement reduces light pollution and protects insects and other species sensitive to excessive, unnatural light.
Electronic billboards disrupt migratory patterns for nocturnal wildlife.
I love dark skies with a view of the stars.
I thank you for this proposed amendment which will help maintain Missoula’s small town charm and limit the advertising that bombards us everywhere from our phones to our roads.

I support this amendment. As a proponent of the International Dark Sky movement, I believe our local ordinances must prioritize the reduction of light pollution.
Electronic billboards emit significant skyglow, which disrupts local ecosystems and migratory patterns for nocturnal wildlife. Traditional billboards have down-shielded lighting which allows for controlled illumination. Digital displays erase our view of the stars.
I also think that Keeping our signage non-electronic maintains a small-town aesthetic that respects both the environment and the quality of life for nearby residents.

I support prohibiting new billboard construction and replacement. This is an archaic form of advertisement that is an eye-sore for our community.
Electronic billboard should be outlawed across the entire city, this isn't Las Vegas. We also need to look at LED lights on buildings, the whitefish Credit Union on Russell is an embarrassment and dangerous to drivers in the dark commuting hours.

I do not approve. There are already to many regulations that inhibit business. Also, seems like you are targeting very specific locations, and conveniently leaving out very specific locations. For example, I notice you conveniently are leaving out the land just east of the airport where you just wasted all of our tax money by rerouting a dry creek. Why might that be, why would that area be left out I wonder? If you want Missoula to grow, business and commerce is necessary. Quit making regulations and changes that prevent that.

I am 10000% in favor of prohibiting all billboards and phasing them out wherever possible.

YES, in favor of this amendment. Billboards are visual pollution and an insult to the senses of so many who feel bombarded with advertising at every turn in our lives already. I would be in favor of cutting them all down but this is a start.

This amendment seems to be directly targeted at one particular business, which I have no affiliation with. I understand the county also tried to stop the installation of a flag pole to fly our countries flag with pride. This kinds of red tape pushes manufacturers out of Missoula county, and jobs with them.