MARTINSVILLE — The Martinsville Board of Zoning Appeals has denied a request from JR Promotions LLC to update an existing billboard along I-69 in Martinsville.

The board met Nov. 28.

The property is owned by Faith Missionary Church and has been rented by the sign company to use for the billboard.

The state of Indiana took a section of the church’s property for the construction of the interstate.

Around a quarter of the sign was located on the property the state took. The interstate fence runs under a section of the sign.

A representative from the company told board members the company is currently involved in a lawsuit with the state over their actions.

According to the representative, the company wants to move the sign completely onto the church property, raise it around 10 to 15 foot, use one pole instead of multiple poles, make it a little bigger, and have the sign displayed on both sides.

The company felt that by raising the sign up, it would stop the vandalism that has occurred to it.

The size of the sign would go from 8 foot by 32 feet to 101/2 feet by 36 feet.

It would be similar to other signs the company has.

Board attorney Dale Coffey said the city was willing to allow the sign to be moved out of the state right of way but not enlarged. He said they could make some minor changes but could not make it a two-sided sign.

Coffey reminded the board of the “overlays” both the city and county have for display signs along the interstate. Those overlays are very restrictive in what is allowed within them. Billboards, he said, must be around 1,000 feet from the interstate. This sign was in place before the interstate was constructed, so the city is willing to allow it to stay as a non-conforming use.

Board members discussed the request and decided that due to the restrictions on billboards close to the interstate, they should deny the request.

~ By Keith Rhoades | Reporter | Published December 7, 2023 in The Morgan County Correspondent