The issue of more billboards along Interstate 85 surfaced Monday night amidst uncertainty over possible cuts in federal highway aid.

Steve Blount, vice chairman of the county commissioners, told the planning board that county commissioners will not approve any new billboards until they receive clarification of a Department of Transportation letter.

The two-page letter dated Dec. 6 was sent to all county managers and towns by the Department of Transportation.

It calls attention to zoning changes, specifically conditional use zoning to allow billboards along federally supported highways. As a result of court decisions in eastern North Carolina, federal funds were withdrawn from a project because of billboards.

The letter from DOT Secretary David McCoy said a revision of outdoor advertising is being considered that will set “more definitive zoning criteria for preventing spot and strip zoning.”

County Planner Marion Lytle said Rowan County is scheduled to get $200 million over the next seven years for the widening of I-85. Lytle warned that zoning changes to allow more billboards could put the money at risk.

“This has possible direct implications for county control of outdoor advertising,” said John Linker, planning board chairman.

The discussion was sparked by two requests for rezoning of property near Daugherty Road and I-85.

Jim Daugherty asked for rezoning of nearly nine acres along with 750 feet of frontage on I-85, from rural agricultural to commercial business industrial (CBI).

Daugherty said he wanted the rezoning to allow improvements or possible replacement of a billboard that is on the property already. Planners said that the widening of I-85 would demolish the sign, and under current zoning it could not be replaced.

The second request came from Frank C. Corriher Beef & Sausage Inc., a company headed by Frank Tadlock, a county commissioner.

Tadlock did not attend the meeting. Corriher’s interests were represented by David Roberts, a Landis engineer.

Roberts asked the board to rezone 5.8 acres along I-85 from RA to CBI. He said the tract is surrounded by CBI zoning and would put all of the company’s property in the same zoning category.

Asked by planning board members if the change was intended for billboards, Roberts said he was not aware of any plans.

Linker and Commissioner Arnold Chamberlain, who was attending the meeting, said there have been several requests filed with the Department of Transportation for new billboards in that area.

During the hearing on the two requests, one speaker stood in opposition. Darryl Kluttz, a DOT employee, said that the county faces loss of federal money if the property is rezoned. “People don’t understand the implication,” said Kluttz.

During an extensive discussion, Yow said the county needs a billboard ordinance.

More than a year ago the county dropped its ordinance, opting to accept the state regulation which permits billboards 500 feet apart.

An official with DOT said today that Corriher Beef & Sausage currently has permits for six billboards on the west side of I-85 and has eight more billboards in the works for the east side of I-85 in the Daugherty Road area.

Glenn Orrell, who handles outdoor advertising permits for the district DOT office, said that without any additional zoning changes, the eight signs will be placed between Daugherty Road and Pine Ridge Road. PNE Media of Columbia, S.C., has filed applications to construct the signs on Corriher Beef & Sausage land.

Orrell agreed with Kluttz, who also works in the DOT billboard permitting process, that the county risks losing $20 million or more if additional zoning changes are made to accommodate billboards.

Planning board member Joe Teeter said he didn’t like what amounted to federal blackmail.

In the end the board gave both requests a favorable recommendation, pending a determination on possible loss of federal funds.

Linker, Yow and Andy Hinson voted against a favorable recommendation for the Corriher Beef & Sausage request, but it passed 7-3.

The Daugherty request was approved unanimously with the same stipulation.

County commissioners have scheduled a hearing on the Corriher Beef & Sausage request for Wednesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. at the County Administrative Office.