Scenic America likes Pittsburgh's appreciation for its past

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by ScenicAmerica

The proposal to digitize the Bayer sign atop Mt Washington is a real cause for concern. To look up at Mt Washington and see a glowing advertisement would be a real shame and would quite literally ruin the view.

For those interested in the billboard issue in Pittsburgh I urge you to join Scenic Pittsburgh. There is a proposal to ban digital billboards and reduce other billboard blight in the city that will be heard on Monday, Nov. 21: Scenic Pittsburgh - Community - Pittsburgh, PA | Facebook

Sorry I don't have more specifics on the legislation or hearing, but I'm sure if you contact Scenic Pittsburgh they can fill you in.

Received this email yesterday from Scenic Pittsburgh:

Dear Friends of Scenic Pittsburgh,
After meeting with the City Solicitor and fearful of an extended legal battle that could last years, Pittsburgh City Council backed away from an outright billboard ban and instead opted to pass the most restrictive set of sign ordinances in Pennsylvania. Knowing that tightening standards in the future would be far more difficult than loosening standards, Council, by an 8 to 1 vote, dialed back nearly every sign specification recommended by the Planning Commission.

• Electronic Billboards are limited to only the least regulated zoning district, Urban Industrial (UI), and are expressly prohibited in City Designated Historic Districts and the Riverfront Overlay District.
• Brightness was reduced from 450 nits at night and 4500 nits daytime to 250 nits at night and 2500 nits daytime.
• The change rate/dwell time was extended from a distracting 8 times per minute to no less than 30 seconds.
• All motion is prohibited on an electronic advertising sign face. Electronic advertising signs shall have only static text and graphics.
• The maximum size of an LED billboard was reduced from 750 square feet to 300 square feet.
• The “Community Message” sign provision was deleted entirely.
• Converting existing billboards to LED requires complete compliance with all existing zoning regulations. (This provision will reduce the total number of billboards because existing law states “Along restricted access highways or interchange ramps …no two sign structures including any combination of advertising signs and electronic advertising signs, shall be spaced less than one thousand five hundred feet apart; and along any other right-of-way; no two sign structures… shall be spaced less than five hundred feet apart. Therefore, to convert a billboard to LED, adjacent billboards would have to be removed.)

The bill also contains two other important provisions:

• The bill regulates the use of video displays at “major public destination facilities” such as Heinz filed or the Consol Energy Center to show activities, events, or games taking place within the facility or away games of teams associated with the facility.
• Special Signage Design Districts may be established; the signage design plan shall be relatively isolated from any neighborhood context, and subject to the extended public process for the protection and preservation of the natural environment.

We here at Scenic Pittsburgh want to extend our sincere thanks to all the individuals and organizations that supported our efforts including everyone who “Signed the Letter” or contacted your elected official. This kind of united civic action is the truest expression of our American democracy. Our special thanks go to Councilman Doug Shields, whose political skill, experience, and dogged persistence made this victory possible. Doug, we will really miss you next year when council reconvenes without you.
Finally, a reminder that Scenic Pittsburgh is having a Holiday Open-House now turned Victory Party today at 3:00 to5:00 at 64 South 14th Street on the Southside. We hope to see you and wish you the happiest of holidays.
Sincerely,
Mike Dawida and Dave Demko

[PreservationPioneer]

I don't see what's so bad about billboards and lights.

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I don't see what's so bad about billboards and lights.

I think it's a matter proportionate garishness. New electronic billboards are, by design, significantly more intrusive than their predecessors.

[MathmanMathman]

If they want to recreate a "Times Square" in downtown, fine, but I believe a concern was electronic billboards on top of Mt Washington. Lights on the hills are great but not advertising.

[gg]

Syria Mosque
Civic Arena
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[Geeo]

I like the electronic billboards. I've also always liked the Bayer sign atop Mt. Washington. It gives the city a certain vitality with the lights and colors. Driving into Toronto on the QEW is a great sight with all the ads in motion.