SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6232
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1994
Brief Description: Expanding the definition of what constitutes a commercial and industrial area for the purposes of the highway advertising control act.
SPONSORS: Senators Hargrove, Owen and Snyder
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Drew, Haugen, Morton, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Schow, Sheldon and Winsley.
Staff: Jennifer Joly (786‑7305)
Hearing Dates: January 24, 1994
BACKGROUND
The Highway Advertising Control Act prohibits signs which are visible from the interstate, primary, or scenic systems unless they are either on-premise signs or are located in areas zoned predominantly for commercial or industrial uses.
If a municipality or county has enacted general use zoning, only those areas occupied by three or more separate and distinct commercial or industrial activities within an area of 500 feet are deemed to be zoned for commercial or industrial uses so signs visible from the highway may be permitted there. The area within which the signs may be placed extends 500 feet from each side of the commercial or industrial activity, on either side of the highway.
SUMMARY
Areas zoned for general uses previously qualified as commercial or industrial under the definition prescribed in the Highway Advertising Control Act, but no longer qualify due to commercial or industrial closures as a direct result of the timber crisis, shall maintain their former status as commercial and industrial areas so signs visible from the highway may be permitted there.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
Due to the timber crisis, the community of Neilton should be encouraged to diversify its economy via tourism. SB 6232 will further this aim by allowing placement of a sign promoting the Rainforest Resort.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Senator Hargrove; David Morrison, Rainforest Resort