Please submit comment, testify and/or spread the word…ASAP

I want to give you a heads up related to sign policies as I don’t know if you are aware of a couple of programs now moving quickly through the various steps of review in City Hall. 

It is very likely that either one could be used to undermine the City’s ability to regulate off-site signage in the future. But beyond that, the impact on our streets citywide will be enormous—and not in a good way.

Are you aware that inserted into the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the new street furniture program in Public Works (“STAP” program) is the introduction of a new LAMC that will allow advertising structures in the public right-of-way?  The new proposed code puts the numbers of structures, the placement and specs for the structures entirely in the hands of the Board of Public Works.   The Dept. of City Planning,  Neighborhood councils, communities, hoa’s, and council district offices  will have no voice in the proposed process established in this new LAMC.  There are no limits as to the numbers or types of new ad structures that could be placed on our sidewalks, parkways and streets.

The introduction of the new LAMC was not presented in any of the outreach presentations on the STAP program. Further, a new LAMC is not needed for STAP. It is being introduced to make way for hundreds of digjtal off-site advertising structures, some of which will likely take the place of street trees!  As the city densifies, in many neighborhoods the open space on our sidewalks and parkways is the only accessible open space.   And even those areas where trees once stood or now stand are being consumed with driveways as more and more residential developments replace storefronts.  It is as if those considering this program are unaware of the word or concept of aesthetics. 

No advance notice was given for the hearing on STAP Wednesday morning at BPW even though many NCs have submitted CIS statements.  Most do not know that the agenda was dropped at the end of the week.   And, it should be noted that those staff involved in the review of comments submitted in response to the MND continue to ignore and brush off public concerns just as they did during their “outreach” meetings.

There are many additional issues/problems with STAP.  (See attached action alert)  Driver distraction caused by changing messages at street/driver eye level where pedestrians gather is a bad idea no matter how presented and certainly seems to fly in the face of Vision Zero goals clearly unattainable.

While double-headers may be a good thing in baseball, for those of us who follow signage, having back-to-back hearings is not a good thing. On Tuesday morning at 8:15 PLUM will hear the Metro Transit Communications Network program (TCN).  That program seeks to install 300 digital billboards on Metro ROW and City ROW.   Their effort to make the program appear more palatable, is their offer to do takedowns —a pitiful few (less than 2:1 and most certainly nowhere near CPC recommendation in the revised Sign Ordinance of 10:1) in exchange for 300 large new digital billboards worth many many times the value of old static signs. No doubt they will be installed outside of sign districts thus undermining the CPC’s approach to off-site sign regulation.  Because digital changing messages are designed to catch the eye of those passing, these signs will endanger roadway users wherever placed — on city streets, on major arterials, on freeways and highways.  The impact will be the same; eyes will wander and public safety will be compromised at a time when the speed of traffic is increasing and accidents involving pedestrian and bicycles are on the rise. 

It is important to submit written comments and oral testimony to push back against this assault on and commercialization of our public right-of-way.  Those behind these schemes to trade public safety, and our public right-of-way and visual environment for a share of advertising royalties need to know that their trade is not acceptable.

 Please reach out to share this information ASAP!

I am happy to provide additional info and am attaching a couple of draft action alerts… too long for most but no time to edit them down thus far.

This information provided by Barbara Broide