To the Editor,
This letter is in support of Meadow Advertising’s Planning Commission appeal concerning the interpretation of the current sign code that deviates from the established interpretation. This appeal is on the City Council Agenda for November 27, 2023. The current Dalles City Sign Code states “the maximum number of advertising signs (billboards) shall not exceed 8 per mile with no more than 5 on the same side of the street.” This language has been in The Dalles City Sign Code since 1974 and has been reviewed and approved in 1981, 1992, 2007 and 2014. Since 1974 the city planning department personnel interpreted this working to mean no more than 8 billboards per linear mile. Per Dan Durow, Senior Planner and Community Development Director from 1990 to 2012, “the language was clearly intended to be interpreted as linear measurement.”
The current Planning Director, Josh Chandler, is arbitrarily imposing a radial mile measurement on advertising signs which represents a policy change, not an interpretation of the code. Policy changes can only be determined and changed by the City Council, who are elected officials, not newly hired City staff.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE!? Since 1981, Meadow Outdoor Advertising has donated hundreds of free billboards to various projects, non-profits, and community events. Meadow Outdoor has been a good corporate community member of The Dalles for over 40 years and has complied with the current code in all cases. This arbitrary policy change of The Dalles Sign Code will cause great financial loss, jeopardizing the livelihood of a company that has operated in The Dalles since 1981.
We fully support the appeal to the City Council,
Shannon and Antoine Tissot