The Texas Transportation Commission has proposed an amendment to highway and road sign regulations, which, if passed, could allow billboards to reach new heights.

The proposal would change the current billboard height restriction of 42.5 feet to 65 feet, according to Texas Department of Transportation documents. The plan sites studies conducted by the International Sign Association and the United States Sign Council for sign readability, conflicts with preservation requirements and first amendment right protection.

"We are proposing this change because of data that shows drivers have a better chance of seeing these signs at 65 feet when driving 60–75 mph," said Veronica Beyer, TxDOT media relations director.

The changes could affect unincorporated areas, and any Texas city that does not already have specific sign regulations, said Margaret Lloyd, Scenic Texas board of directors vice president.

"There [are] two big areas that are going to be impacted, all areas that are outside of cities because counties don't have any regulatory authority over signage and cities who have not adopted a height regulation," Lloyd said. "There are many cities in Texas that have no height regulation on billboards because the state is the controlling entity."

Lloyd said the proposed change does not align with the goals of the Highway Beautification Act, which was established in 1965 under the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

"The way I read the Highway Beautification Act, its focus is to preserve the beauty of the country side and the recreational value of the traveling public, and also preserve the public interest in the highway system," Lloyd said. "I don't see how raising the signs 35 percent would accomplish any of those policies."

Houston-based billboard company SignAd president Wes Gilbreath said the proposal would allow billboard companies to mitigate visibility issues, particularly in hill country areas or places with tall trees.

"Forty-two feet is not tall enough and it would be more in line with the rest of the country and have a visible sign—it's not too low because it can restrict other businesses and their signage also," Gilbreath said. "For instance, we have one now in Hillsborough that is hidden behind a hill. To be able to go to 65 feet would allow us to clear and get over that hill, and also it won't be an obstruction to travel on the land itself because right now it is sitting maybe 5 feet above the ground."

Gilbreath said the height restriction change would put Texas in line with other states across the country.

"They did this back in the 1980s when it went to 42 feet [high], so it has been quite a while," Gilbreath said. "Generally speaking, you might be 65-feet [high] in some states and some states have height restrictions. In fact, the bulk of them have no height restrictions. Texas just happens to be one of the more conservative states when it comes to outdoor advertising signage."

While Gilbreath said the legislation would not heavily impact Montgomery County— citing that most pine trees are taller than 65 feet—county officials said they are not in favor of the change because of the affect on the natural beauty of the area.

Montgomery County Judge Alan Sadler said he would also not be in favor of the proposed height restriction changes.

"I think we have enough billboards as it is," Sadler said. "I don't think it would help the landscape at all."

Montgomery County Precinct 2 commissioner—and County Judge-elect—Craig Doyal said natural beauty preservation is an important quality of life factor to local residents.

"Montgomery County is almost 85 percent unincorporated—it's huge," Doyal said. "It's imperative that we protect and preserve that natural beauty as much as possible. That is what brought a substantial number of people here—certainly job opportunities, quality of life and that natural beauty of the area is a huge quality of life factor that we need to protect."

Similarly, the Grand Parkway Association, which was established about 30 years ago by TxDOT to develop and promote the toll way, opposes changes to current sign regulations, executive director David Gornet said.

"From the perspective of the association, the Grand Parkway is intended to be a scenic highway and we would oppose any changes in rules or regulations that would detract from the opportunity for the Grand Parkway to remain a scenic highway," Gornet said. "Our mission is to develop and promote the Grand Parkway, and our mission still includes to keep it as scenic as possible. So with all current rules and regulations that the state, counties or municipalities have we would like to see that maintained."

TxDOT will host a public hearing on the proposal in Austin on June 24 at 9 a.m. at the Dewitt C. Greer State Highway building at 125 East 11th St.