DAPHNE, Ala.—Since the Daphne Planning Commission’s work session and special meeting last Wednesday to discuss signage, commissioners said Thursday that leeway has been made on the issue.

As a byproduct of the previous meeting, Daphne Mayor Fred Small and Public Works Director Richard Johnson spoke with representatives for the Alabama Department of Transportation and received some news.

The commission, council and potential developers have been discussing how to provide visibility to businesses along the Interstate 10 corridor while maintaining the beauty of the Jubilee City. The major problem the developer for a potential Academy Sports and Outdoors location has encountered is a large tract of thick, tall trees, which impede the visibility of smaller signs.

When meeting with ALDOT representatives, Small and Johnson said ALDOT was willing to work with the city to develop a plan to landscape the rights of way along the interstate to allow for enhanced visibility. The commission plans to continue working on a plan along with ALDOT and the developer.

ALDOT will also begin the process to put logo or directional signs identifying Daphne businesses near the interstate exits.

Members of the commission also discussed possible changes to the sign ordinances or overlay districts in the city, which will be further discussed during the planned work session. One of the possible changes proposed was to measure the height of the sign in reference to the height of the interstate roadbed.

“I don’t have any heartburn over changing where the elevation starts,” Commissioner Ed Kirby said.

For more details about the commission’s discussion of the sign issues check out Wednesday’s edition of The Bulletin.