The Destin City Council voted 5-2 on Monday to deny Ordinance 24-09-LC, which would have allowed agreements between the city and billboard companies to replace static billboards with digital ones in exchange for removing others.

The proposed ordinance aimed to amend the Land Development Code, specifically Article 16, Section 16.03.02. Currently, this section prohibits off-premises signs and repairs to non-conforming billboards. 

• The amendment would have permitted agreements if companies removed at least 45% of their existing signs in exchange for digital replacements meeting strict criteria.

During public comments, resident Sandy Trammell opposed the ordinance, citing her past involvement in billboard prohibition. Attorney Trey Goodwin, representing Tier One Media, argued that economic factors would naturally lead to billboard removal without the ordinance.

Scott Remington, speaking for Lamar Advertising, offered to remove six billboards as part of a potential agreement. He contended that state statute already authorized such agreements without requiring a code amendment. 

• Notably, Remington pointed out that the ordinance would effectively only apply to Lamar, stating, “The only party it would ever apply to is Lamar,” due to the 45% removal requirement.

Council members expressed differing views. Councilman Jim Bagby, moving to deny the ordinance, emphasized preserving Destin’s aesthetics. He said, “When you’re at the top of the Destin bridge… you don’t want to see billboards that make you think you’re in Vegas. You want to see the world’s luckiest fishing village.”

Councilman Kevin Schmidt proposed approving the ordinance on first reading to allow more public input. He argued it didn’t commit the city to any agreement and could potentially remove eyesores while generating revenue.

• Councilman Johnny King favored removing all billboards and digital signs, aligning with the city’s goal of undergrounding utilities.

City Attorney Kim Kopp clarified that without the ordinance, she couldn’t bring billboard agreements to the council, as current code prohibits them.

The Local Planning Agency had previously recommended denying the ordinance on October 3. With the council’s decision, Destin’s existing billboard regulations remain unchanged, reinforcing the city’s stance on reducing visual clutter.