DAPHNE, Ala.— The City Council discussed details of the proposed development of an Academy Sports and Outdoors in Daphne. While working out the details of the retailer’s move to the city, Tom Hickman, representative for the development, requested an exemption to the existing sign ordinance.

Hickman claimed the city would get new jobs and additional revenue out of the development.

The sign Hickman proposed would include a development sign with multiuser panels with the height determined by the elevation of Interstate 10. The sign is estimated to be 100 feet tall.

Members of the council were hesitant to approve a sign that exceeded the limits in the city’s existing sign ordinance.

“I think everybody has noticed the new signs at Jubilee (Square Shopping Center) because it is so close to us. It is frightening, quite frankly,” Councilman Ron Scott said. He thinks this sign at 120 feet would be less of an eyesore because it will be farther away from everything than the Jubilee sign.

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette opposed any exemption to the sign ordinance.

“I do not support the sign package … I would love to communicate back to Academy that we would love to have them in our community. I cannot support any further modifications to the sign ordinance for a project specific driven request,” Barnette said. 

Councilman August Palumbo said bigger was not necessarily better.

“The size of the sign, I submit, is not necessary tied to the amount of business that is brought in,” Palumbo said.

Councilman John Lake offered an alternative.

“I think we need to start looking as a community to directional signs on I-10,” Lake said. “I would like to see it stay nice the way it is but I would also like to see it improve more.”