| On June 28, 2022, the Los Angeles City Council adopted a motion (CF 22-0392) instructing Los Angeles City Planning to draft an amendment to the Zoning Code to permit digital signage related to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (Metro) Transportation Communication Network (TCN). Metro’s TCN program would erect freestanding signs with digital displays at 56 locations throughout the City. These signs would incorporate various intelligent transportation technologies to help manage traffic, provide real-time traffic and transit information, display Metro service alerts and public emergency messaging, and permit off-site advertising for revenue generation to support local transportation projects in the City. Metro’s project website can be found at metro.net/tcn, and details on Metro’s proposed site locations can be found here.As part of this project, the City entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Metro in early 2022 to share any revenue generated from the off-site advertising on these signs for 20 years. This agreement (C-139852) outlines how the shared revenue will be allocated and puts restrictions on how and where these funds may be spent by the City. Any revenue generated from this agreement must be spent on transportation projects or to support new transportation infrastructure. The funds will be overseen by the City’s Department of Transportation.As part of the MOA, the City will need to amend the Zoning Code to allow the TCN signs and associated off-site advertising, and a full environmental review will be completed. The environmental review process is underway and is being led by Metro. A draft environmental impact report (DEIR) has been completed by Metro, and is now available for public comment until Monday, October 24, 2022, at 5 p.m. The document may be found here, and public comments may be submitted by email to tcn@metro.net. It should be noted that the City is not the lead agency on this environmental document, but a responsible agency, and all DEIR comments must be submitted to Metro.In preparation for drafting the necessary Zoning Code amendment to permit the TCN program, City Planning will be holding virtual office hours for the public to discuss the project in further detail and obtain feedback on the project’s components, design, and operations. Following the virtual office hours held in late September, more will be held in mid-October. Office hour appointments are 20 minutes and will take place over the phone or through video conference, according to your preference. Please note that video conferencing will also allow screen-sharing of materials.Appointments are still available on the dates below. |
