The Virginian-Pilot
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The digital billboard battle is here and likely to make the city's year long debate over electronic signs look like a minor squabble.
Unlike the new LED signs, billboards are a perennial controversy and opposition to them dates back more than 20 years in Virginia Beach.
On Wednesday, the city's planning commission got the first public sampling of the ramped-up emotion and rhetoric tied to allowing the city's billboards to go digital.
Members of Virginia Beach's garden clubs called them "litter on a stick" and compared the city to an elegant and beloved daughter "under siege by some smooth-talking businessmen."
Proponents said digital billboards will benefit local businesses and create a safer community because the billboards will occasionally flash public safety announcements.
"This ordinance protects our families," said Dick Olenych, with a marketing and design firm.
The planning commission Wednesday rejected a proposal that would allow billboard companies to replace their signs with electronic versions and sent the issue to City Council for a final decision next month.
In an 8-3 decision, commissioners recommended that the city stick with its current policy of eliminating billboards by banning new ones and preventing major work to existing ones.
"I can't even find a benefit to having a digital billboard," said Jay Bernas, a commissioner who voted to keep the city's current billboard regulations.
The Beach's billboard rules date back to 1987, and supporters say they work. The city has successfully defended its ordinance in court, and 39 billboards have come down. There are 30 remaining.
Adams Outdoor Advertising has waged a campaign over the past year to ease the rules, so existing billboards can be upgraded to digital versions. The company has gained some support on City Council.
"This has gotten to be an emotional issue, but it has to be addressed rationally," said Councilman Glenn Davis, who sat through the planning commission meeting. "I could not imagine not allowing companies to take advantage of technology."
Davis is also a supporter of LED signs and has been working with stakeholders to develop regulations for the flashing signs on businesses' properties. The City Council this week appointed another new committee to review LEDs - at least the third in a year.
While billboards are off-site advertising, the issues involved are similar to LEDs, such as how bright the signs should be and how frequently they can scroll messages.
Unlike the LED issue, Davis said he doesn't expect that the billboard proposal to keep bouncing between the planning commission and City Council.
"This is a subject that deserves resolution," Davis said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Billboards
The City of Virginia Beach should do everything to protect the citizens. Our local government should allow some existing billboards to display public safety messages.
This is a contentious issue, though.
And logic has been thrown t o the birds.
Someone on the Commission actually suggested that the City of Virginia Beach build their own structures. Kind of like billboards, but with a digital aspect.
Are these people this far out of touch?
As I sat listening to the arguments the lines were clearly drawn, beautification versus public safety and business opportunity. After all of the speakers, the member’s gave their opinions and comments.
One of them suggested that because there was grant money, we could build our own structures. Wow that’s real fiscal responsibility. It’s short sightedness and it’s irresponsible.
Who’s going to pay the on going costs for these structures? How about the repairs? Even though they’ll be new you’ll need a capital fund to replace them eventually. Where’s that money coming from? There are a ton of other reasons why the City of Virginia Beach should not build their own billboards.
I do apologize though b
Billboards = Sales = Jobs
If businesses and nonprofits did not find billboards advantageous, billboard companies would fold. But billboards do generate sales, and sales generate jobs, and that’s how our society functions. When was the last time the anti-billboard gang generated a job for one of our citizens?
Creat jobs
David, I help to create new jobs everyday. Being a Libertarian I believe in freedom and Liberty - and most of all - property rights; so I support people doing whatever on their own property. But I don't attack my neighbors who oppsoe billboards and bright electronic signs because I understand that they care deeply about how our city looks. I can appreciate the validity of their position in this issue - and I respect it. Guys like Mr. Murry Jackson, God rest his soul, are some of the best examples of a citizens I have ever met. Mr. Jackson worked so hard to help free Virginia Beach of obnoxious commerical visual pollution. Dave, you work in PR and advertising, so I "get" where you are coming form. And I respect your view as well. Please try not do attack good folks who disagree with the endless intrusion of advertising that has become the norm in our world these days.
Rolling in his grave ...
sadly, long time Beach citizen and activists Maurice Jackson must be spinning in his grave. he worked so hard to keep our city free of bill boards and visual pollution from commercial advertising - now that he is enjoying the bill board free view from heaven, those of us left back here in VA beach can see the future - and it is not pretty.
To all the people with the
To all the people with the full color full video LED sign boards: If Virginia Beach outlaws your signage you are free to drop off your unusable equipment at our hackerspace (that's a project lab) since the city won't let you use them. You can find directions at www.757labs.com. Just email us first and we can meet you there for your delivery.
(Don't forget to bring the instruction manuals and the host PC.)
Signs
Signs, Signs, everywhere a sign...............Signs have been on the road since Noah built the arc..
The state has flashing signs on the road for directions and detours, the federal govt has the flashing signs and message boards for Amber alerts and on and on................and now advertising signs that will bring more income into the city is being po-poed by citizens. First off who give a rip. But would you rather have a nice looking sign that is attractive or a sign that is faded yellow, riped at the corners, with a cow hanging off it.
Hey VB, grow up you got a whole lot more problems that a stinking sign..Leave the signs along, let the cost dictate who will utilize the sign availability and concentrate on the financial situation you have facing you.
Virginia Beach by any other name
Wow! I thought Pleasantville was just a fictitious locale conjured up in a movie. Now we learn that it's boundries actually coincide with those of the City of Virginia Beach. No electronic signs, no electronic billboards, too distracting...what next? Lets just pass an ordinance prohibiting anything that might excite the senses. No color, no music, everything peaceful and quiet in muted shades of gray. Oh...wait....maybe we could just elect a council that's not afraid of everything new.
electronic billboards
Local and state governments are currently considering restriction of cell phone use while driving because they are a serious distraction and cause accidents. Now we are looking at placing a movie screen in front of drivers and expecting them not to be distracted? It just doesn't make any sense to me. How many will have to die before we rethink such a disastrous idea?
Can't believe
I just can't believe something like this gets so much press. How many people really care?
put it to a vote
Put it to a city vote and put it to rest... I vote - get rid of all the billboards.