Opinion ID: 1822350
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Federal Highway Beautification Act and Minnesota's Outdoor Advertising Act

Text: The Federal Highway Beautification Act (FHBA) provides for control of the installation and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems. 23 U.S.C. § 131(a) (2000). The purposes of the FHBA are to protect the public investment in highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty. Id. The Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act, Minn.Stat. § 173 (Minnesota Act), is similarly designed to accomplish the purposes set forth in the FHBA and to bring the state in compliance with federal law. Minn.Stat. § 173.01 (2002). The Minnesota Act restricts outdoor advertising devices to those areas where business and commercial activities are conducted. Id. Thus, relevant to our analysis in this case is the following definition of a business area, set forth in section 173.02, subd. 17: [A]ny part of an adjacent area which is (a) zoned for business, industrial, or commercial activities   . Minn.Stat. § 173.02, subd. 17 (2002). The Minnesota Act also requires the commissioner to comply with federal law, rules, and regulations relating to billboard control. Minn.Stat. § 173.185 (2002). [5] Accordingly, Minnesota's laws are interpreted in conjunction with the federal laws they were enacted to implement. The FHBA defines commercial and industrial zones as those districts established by the zoning authorities as being most appropriate for commerce, industry, or trade, regardless of how labeled. 23 C.F.R. § 750.703(a). It also prohibits what is commonly termed spot zoning, or zoning that is not part of a comprehensive zoning plan and is done primarily to permit outdoor advertising. 23 C.F.R. § 750.708(a). Further, the FHBA makes clear that if a zone is one in which limited commercial or industrial activities are permitted merely as incidental to a primary, noncommercial/industrial land use, the zone will not be considered a commercial or industrial zone for outdoor advertising control purposes. 23 C.F.R. § 750.708(d). Aside from these limitations, the States retain full authority to zone areas for commercial or industrial purposes. 23 U.S.C. § 131(d).