Hays County threw its support behind proposed legislation that would hinder the placement of billboards along some of the county’s most scenic roads.
At its meeting Tuesday morning, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting Rep. Erin Zwiener’s House Bill 1303, which would add Farm to Market Road 1826, Ranch to Market Road 150 and RM 967 to the list of highways where billboards are prohibited. The county’s resolution supports HB 1303 and the filing of additional legislation that would put similar signage prohibitions on FM 2325, FM 3237, RM 32 and RM 12 from the intersection of Wonder World Drive and Old Ranch Road 12 in San Marcos to State Highway 290 in Dripping Springs.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said the county passed a similar measure supporting similar legislation two years ago.
“You’ll also notice that any existing signage is grandfathered, and it does not regulate any personal signage or freedom-of-speech type signage,” he said, adding that businesses along those roadways will be able to have signs.
“I thought that was a wonderful idea,” County Judge Ruben Becerra said.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said he appreciated the inclusion of FM 967 and Rep. Zwiener’s pursuit of the legislation.
In other business, commissioners held a public hearing on the creation of a “No Dumping” zone on Fulton Ranch Road for about a quarter of a mile from the intersection with RM 12 on both sides of the road. No one spoke for or against the proposed “No Dumping” zone, which commissioners approved unanimously.
Commissioners also approved a professional services agreement with LJA Engineering for right-of-way services on County Road 266 between Centerpoint Road and Rattler Road. Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said the project is part of the county’s 2016 road bond. Commissioners approved a second professional services agreement with LJA for right-of-way services on Old San Antonio Road in Precinct 2, which Jones said concerns road work near a school that will be opening soon.
