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Resident’s of Homer filled the basement of the Homer Town Hall last night for the Town of Homer’s combined public comment meeting of the Town Board and Planning Board.
The meeting was on the topic of amending the town’s comprehensive plan to allow billboards along Interstate 81 in the Town of Homer. Currently, the zoning law prohibits such off-premises signs within the Town of Homer.
Around 50 people showed up to the public comment. Speakers were limited to 3 minutes each to state their opposition or recommendation to the proposed billboards.
Those who spoke of opposition cited reasonings including: not seeing the night sky, local businesses unable to afford advertising on the billboards, positioning of billboards past the Homer exit on I81, the amount of billboards, etc.
Those for the billboards spoke of the benefits that the high traffic volume I81 sustains could bring additional revenue to area businesses, landowners speaking of means on income renting out the space, the billboards are proposed in business and industrial areas and not in residential zones.
The public comment lasted just under an hour with about 12 people speaking to the audience and both boards, and three letters read allowed (all of which were against).
The Homer Town Board and Planning Board stated after the public comment that there would be no discussion by either board, and this meeting was to hear the opinions of the residents. Additional meetings and hearings are planned the Board said before closing the public comment meeting.
