Enforcement sought for Mound House billboard illumination

MOUND HOUSE - Owners of two Mound House billboards want lighting restrictions to be equally enforced.

Responding to complaints from local residents that their sleep is being disrupted, Young Electric Sign Co. on Sept. 1 adjusted its billboard lighting to turn off at midnight. Two other signs, however, remain lit all night.

Appearing before the Mound House Advisory Council Tuesday evening, Young Electric Sign Co. representative Ed Lawson said, "If I have to turn out our lighting, others should have to do the same. I do not want to be treated differently. I will be more than happy to help you contact the right people."

The four signs are located adjacent to Highway 50 East in the area of Janette Drive.

Council member Larry Rickman asked why the other sign company has not come up for an annual special use permit review, noting, "I have contacted them (Outdoor Systems) and they told me they would not deal with verbal requests. They want a written request from the county commissioners."

Advisory Council member Rae Ann Stevenson said, "Commissioner Bob Milz said he would be more than happy to write to Outdoor Systems if we needed him to."

County Community Development Director John Evasovic said Wednesday that the two signs in question are "grandfathered in" and are not limited by the same rules affecting the two YESCO signs were installed in 1992.

Under the conditions of the special use permit the Young Electric Sign Co.

signs may be illuminated from dusk until dawn. As a compromise to resident complaints, Lawson agreed to adjust the timing.