SCRUB: Beauty or blight?
Please Testify on Billboard Industry’s I-95 Bill
* Planning Commission Meeting Tues June 14th at 1:00 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor
* City Council Meeting Thursday, June 16 at 10:00 City Hall, Room 400
Bill 100678 would allow billboard companies to rebuild signs near residences and without having to comply with laws regulating size, distance and height.
As a result of I-95’s expansion, dozens of towering billboards along I- 95 were condemned and targeted for removal. The bad news is that an industry-sponsored Bill 100678, introduced by Councilman DiCicco was voted out of the Rules Committee last Tuesday and will allow these signs to be rebuilt in the very same neighborhoods that they have blighted for decades. The legislation is scheduled for final passage this Thursday, June 16 at 10:00. Councilwoman Krajewski has removed her entire District from Councilman DiCicco’s I-95 bill. Those residents living in the First Councilmatic District are not so lucky. The special exceptions for billboards will only impact neighborhoods such as Fishtown, Port Richmond, Northern Liberties, and Old City.
The I-95 Expansion Project is a rare opportunity to remove billboards from backyards and dramatically improve Philadelphia’s I-95 gateway. Hopefully City Council members will vote to protect neighborhoods rather than appease billboard companies.
If you have an opinion, call, write and testify. Council needs to hear from the people. For more information on the negative aspects of this bill, visit SCRUB’s website or contact us at 215-731-1796.
Facts about Bill 100678:
- Grants a special deal to owners whose structures are in the process of being removed by PennDOT. Owners are compensated for signs.
- Gives sign owners the legal right to erect new billboards in prohibited areas without seeking variances or notifying community members.
- Allows billboards in protected areas such as near residences, schools, parks, playgrounds and size,height and distance restrictions.
- Denies equal protection to residents living near I-95.
What you can do:
- Testify at the Planning Commission Hearing: Tuesday, June 14 at 1:00pm – 1500 Arch St, 18th Floor
- Register to testify at City Council’s Meeting by calling (215) 686-3410 .
- Testify at City Council’s Meeting: Thursday, June 16th at 10am – City Hall, Room 400. Note that every citizen has three minutes to speak before Council on items on the calendar.
- Call, Write and Visit Council Members. Scroll down for list.
[http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs081/1101419655930/img/85.jpg]
Community groups secured passage of Philadelphia’s billboard laws to protect neighborhoods from towering billboards near residences. Bill 100678 will allow sign owners the indisputable right to erect condemned signs in protected locations and in violation of Philadelphia’s billboard laws.
District Council Members
District 1 – Councilman Frank DiCicco
District 2 – Council President Anna Verna
District 3 – Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell
District 4 – Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.
District 5 – Councilman Darrell Clarke
District 6 – Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski
District 7 – Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez
District 8 – Councilwoman Donna Miller
District 9 – Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco
District 10 – Councilman Brian J. O’Neil
Councilmembers-At-Large
Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr.
Councilman William K. Greenlee
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by PlanPhilly
PlanPhilly
In-depth, original reporting on housing, transportation, and development.