A billboard placed near the intersection of Bee Caves Road and River Hills Road has received a notice of violation from the city of Austin following local resident complaints.

The overview

The billboard, located at 106 River Hills Road, is within the city of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. It currently displays an advertisement for the Cicero Institute.

The department with authority over the billboard, the city of Austin’s Development Services Department, did not receive any requests or applications for the billboard, and the city of Austin did not issue a permit for the billboard structure, a department representative said.

The party responsible for the billboard, who founded billboard advertising company Media Choice, was issued a notice of violation from the city July 30, which described the construction as being “unpermitted” and “prohibited” and which recommended removal of the sign as well as its associated electrical service.

What they’re saying

Lake Hills resident Corrin Gani said residents in communities nearby the billboard were upset by its presence.

“The whole neighborhood, Rob Roy [and] Lake Hills, they're all up in arms,” Gani said.

In addition to the billboard’s current visual impact, residents were concerned about potential light pollution from the sign, Gani said.

On Aug. 11, a representative with Austin Energy said that electric service did not appear to be running to the billboard’s location, and that if the sign was receiving power it may be coming “from the customer’s side.”

What’s next?

Members of Media Choice have not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

If the party responsible for the billboard does not comply within 14 days of the city’s July 30 violation notice, the city may take enforcement action, an Austin Development Services Department representative said.

This action could include citations issued through municipal court that may result in fines. These could total up to $2,000 per day, according to the notice of violation.