BISBEE — Billboards will not be marring the scenic views along Highway 90 in Whetstone — at least for now.

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission members voted 6-1 on Wednesday to deny two requests for special-use permits from Stott Outdoor Advertising after listening to opposition from many area residents and concerned county residents. Cruz Silva was the only commission member voting in favor.

Stott wanted to install two lighted 35-foot-high, 432-square-foot billboards at the inspections of Highway 90 and Allen Lane and Highway 90 and Redwing Lane on vacant property.

Brain Daubert, speaking on behalf of Stott, said the lighting would be concentrated on the faces of the two-sided billboards, but residents of the area objected to the visual blight in a scenic area and light pollution.

Landowners John Cooper and Annette Gerhardt, who negotiated with Stott, said they bought their land because it had been zoned commercial. It was an investment that could begin paying off if the permits were approved.

Gerhardt said the Highway 90 corridor to Interstate 10 had been envisioned by the county as being commercial and that the request was compatible with zoning code. She also suggested the residents in opposition buy the parcel so it can be kept in its pristine condition.

Huachuca Astronomy Club members spoke against the billboards, citing the beauty of Cochise County’s night sky and the need to protect it.

Commission Chairwoman Karen Corey summed up the evening’s speakers.

“The astronomers are wonderful about sharing their knowledge and their telescopes to teach others,” Corey said. “They have star parties and welcome students. Our dark skies are linked with our economy, and we’re known worldwide for them. Stargazing brings us clean income. If you have dark skies, you have something special. We are in an area that is special. This is the jewel of Arizona in my mind.”

At one point many years ago, the county placed a moratorium on billboards, but the county never followed through on it, said county Planning Manager Susana Montana.

Some on the commission would like to see a ban on billboards in the county.

“We intend to bring closure to this subject,” Montana told the commissioners.

In other business, Ramsey Canyon Cabins, now owned by Harold and Judy Gabbert, will be able to continue renting the two cabins on the property after being unanimously granted the required special-use permit they requested. The commission members put a time limit of 10 p.m. on music that may be played during special events.

Special-use permits also were granted unanimously to John McLoughlin to build a 540-square-foot wine-making facility and construct a private airstrip on 317 acres in Kansas Settlement. The 75-foot-by-2, 640-foot airstrip will be for his personal use when he comes down from Gilbert to tend the vineyard.

The new fee schedule for subdivision plan reviews also was approved and will be forwarded to the county Board of Supervisors for possible ratification.

Montana said the new fees take into consideration the time of county staff to review and certify plans.

McNeal resident Mike Jackson questioned why the fee schedule was coming back before the commission members when they had already approved the document back in August.

Montana said the Board of Supervisors requested a work session be held prior to voting on the measure. Some changes were made, and the Planning Department brought it back before the commissioners for their approval.

The new fee schedule has seen no objections from the development community, Montana added.

Next month, the commissioners will hold two meetings in order to deal with all the dockets, including three more special-use permit requests for billboards in Whetstone and Benson.

The contentious roping arena in the J6-Mescal area also will be one of the dockets. The first meeting  will be held on Jan. 14, and the second on Jan. 28.