URGENT: Council Bill Undermines Signage Regulations
Monday, 01 February 2010 23:55
Chris
On Thursday, January 27th, Councilman Frank DiCicco introduced Bill No.10013, which will strip away critical parts of Philadelphia's non-accessory outdoor advertising signage regulations. These regulations were enacted in 1991 "to protect public and private investment, promote economic development and commercial revitalization."
DiCicco's bill allows huge digitized billboards and mega-sized wall wrap ads in Center City where current regulations prohibit all billboards and other non-accessory commercial advertising signs.
DiCicco's bill eliminates a critical portion of Philadelphia Zoning Code, Section 14-1604, which endorses restrictions on outdoor advertising. These regulations require outdoor signage "to promote traffic safety, protect views, minimize sign pollution and protect the historic, cultural, aesthetic, and economic vitality of the City of Philadelphia."
 Protections against commercial advertising signs were put in place along the Vine Street Corridor at the request of the business community in 1988. The property owner unsuccessfully challenged Court reversals of a variance all the way to the Supreme Court. This case is still being litigated by the owner who reappeared before the zoning board seeking a variance.
Click here for more information.
Read the full text of the SCRUB press release here
Read the text of the bill here
A sample of the types of signs that could potentially be allowed on Market Street:
 
St. Louis St. Louis
Washington, D.C.
Victory for Burholme Park: Commonwealth Upholds Orphans' Court Decision
Friday, 18 December 2009 01:54
Chris
After months of deliberations, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court denied the City's request to turn over 19.4 acres of parkland to Fox Chase Cancer Center for its expansion.
The unanimous decision of the seven member panel of judges dismissed the city's arguments that continuing to use Burholme Park as parkland was not the most beneficial use, and would not best serve the public interest.
The court determined that the language of the law "focuses on whether the original use has ceased to serve the public interest and did not allow for a balancing of benefits."
In the decision released yesterday, Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer wrote, "if it did permit such balancing, every donated park in the Commonwealth would be at risk of being leased so that cash-strapped municipalities could balance their budgets."
SCRUB 's team of volunteer attorneys and experts represented neighbors and users of Burholme Park who were granted standing to intervene in the case then before Orphans Court Judge John Herron.
The Commonwealth Court decision is a wonderful victory and will help preserve parkland for future generations by reminding elected leaders that: "so long as a community or neighborhood actively uses dedicated park land, the City is required to hold such land in trust for their use, is legally estopped from divesting such land and is required to maintain these open spaces as public parks." Orphan's Court Opinion -Judge Herron, 12/8/09
Read the court opinion HERE
Supporting the Work of SCRUB:
Over five years ago a neighbor and user of Burholme Park contacted SCRUB and asked, "Can you help us save our park?"
Thanks to the support of our members and friends, SCRUB has been there: to educate citizens about the law, to research and help develop policies that benefit the public space, and when necessary... to leverage the law.
SCRUB proudly represented the public interests of this tenacious and dedicated group of Burholme Park neighbors by recruiting a volunteer legal team, working with our clients in the neighborhood, researching the legal strategy that would hopefully win this case and putting in hundreds of hours of hard work.
Please take a moment and celebrate this great victory with us by Donating to SCRUB and providing the resources we need to continue the important work of being "the public voice for public space. "
Seminar on Digital Signs a Success
Wednesday, 09 December 2009 02:15
Chris
There are a growing number of towns and cities grappling with the pressure from the LED and billboard industry to erect digital signage.
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Jerry Wachtel describes
technology now available
which will allow an
interactive connection
to a digitalized billboard.
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Stacey Graham explains
the legal aspects of
regulating electronic
signage. |
On Friday, December 4, 2009, SCRUB and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association held a seminar on electronic signage. Speakers included: Jerry Wachtel, CPE, author of "Safety Impacts of Emerging Digital Display Technology", Al Borden, FIAD, PLDA, Principal of The Lighting Practice and Stacey Graham, a SCRUB attorney. Over 60 people attended the seminar including municipal planners, architects, attorneys, and Philadelphia City staff members.
With the advent of new technology in signage, many municipalities are behind in offering sign codes that address digital signage. From on-premise signs to large digital billboards, the impact of this technology is immense. Presenters addressed the actual technology of the new PECO lights, driver distraction and the health and safety aspects of increasing visual clutter on driver safety, and the legal aspects municipalities must keep in mind when writing legislation to regulate digital signage in Pennsylvania.
The audience listens intently to new information regarding digitalized signs.
The Regulation of Digital Signage
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 03:48
Stacey
 In conjunction with SCRUB, the American Planning Association PA Professional Development Institute is holding a seminar on The Regulation of Digital Signage on December 4th, 2008 at the Philadelphia Bar Association.
See the brochure for more information or to sign up. Reserve your space early – space is limited.
For more information please email
Fran Ryan at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or Stacey Graham at
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or call us at 215-731-1775
Street Furniture Survey
Thursday, 19 November 2009 16:07
Clare
Street Furniture Contract:
Take the Public Survey
The City of Philadelphia will soon make a decision on a contract for street furniture that will affect the visual character of Center City Philadelphia and our neighborhoods for the next 20 years.
NOW IS THE TIME for the public to encourage decision makers to improve public transit amenities while keeping public safety and aesthetics as a strong priority over the use of advertisements in the public right of ways.
Take the Survey
Read Today's City Paper Opinion
Improving transit shelters is long overdue and we accept the use of advertising signs to offset the cost but we do not support the idea of constructing additional advertising kiosks on sidewalks.
An advertising kiosk seen on the sidewalks of Madrid,Spain.
Kiosks are advertising structures constructed on sidewalks. Regardless of the design, excessive advertising signage will block pedestrian traffic, destroy visual character of our city, distract drivers and obstruct views.
 Write Your Opinion on Question 16 at the end of the survey "How much advertising on streets is acceptable?"
This is the only opportunity most citizens will have to weigh in.
To Take the Survey
To View Town Meeting Presentations
To Read City Paper's Article on Street Furniture
Visual character vs. Advertising Clutter?
Public Visibility and Accessibility Sold Off to Advertisers in Madrid, Spain.
The Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities has issued the web-based survey to gather public opinion for the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) on street furniture and advertising.
The survey states:
"By the end of the year, the City of Philadelphia will issue a request for proposals (RFP) from companies to provide and maintain bus shelters and street furniture. The firms will make the shelters and furniture available for advertising opportunities, with revenue going to the City."
The survey put out by the City focuses on what type of outdoor advertising you want with your street furniture. It does not go into the issues of whether stand-alone advertising kiosks are appropriate or whether off-premise outdoor advertising should be a part of our sidewalks. Nor does it go into where outdoor advertising should be restricted or prohibited.
If you would like to learn more about Street Furniture, you can see the presentation sponsored by the Mayor's Office at the October 24 Town Square meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences, you can view it on the Academy's website. SCRUB 's Executive director Mary Tracy's presentation is about ¼ of the way through.
Updates
Saturday, 17 October 2009 00:03
administrator
Attention Philadelphians: You Are Losing Your Voice
Loss of Taxpayer Standing
In August 2009, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dealt Philadelphians a severe blow by ruling that taxpayers and community organizations no longer have“standing”or the right to appeal decisions made by the Zoning Board of Adjustments unless the taxpayer is detrimentally harmed and can show a direct and immediate interest.
Prior to this ruling community organizations and citizens were permitted to participate in Zoning Board hearings and appeal unjustified decisions. This right is critical since Zoning Board hearings occur during business hours (9-5), and community groups could represent members and property owners who were unable to attend due to work commitments. While waiting for state legislators to restore standing through a legislative amendment, community groups should be prepared to defend their standing to participate in zoning board hearings. For more information, contact SCRUB.
Proposed Zoning Code Revisions Limit Public Review and Legal Processess in Land Use Decisions
This is a critical time for the public to pay attention to the newly released Draft Recommendations for a Revised Zoning Code. Four meetings have been scheduled to get feedback from the public. The process is moving at top speed and many residents have not had a chance to even read the proposed changes to the code. SCRUB suggests the following ways to participate:
- Take the on-line survey
- Read the Draft Recommendation for a Zoning Code which significantly alter the processes for public participation in land use decisions
- Read SCRUB's recommended changes to the proposed zoning code language on signage and parkland.
Parkland is in Jeopardy
When the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter was amended last November to dissolve the FairmountPark Commission, it was replaced with an advisory board which will work under the direction of a newly appointed Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. Protecting the sale, lease or gifting of dedicated parkland to private interests for non-recreational use is a major concern for many Philadelphians. You have a chance to share these concerns with the new Commissioner Michael Di Beraditis during his visits to neighborhoods throughout the city where he plans to share the new vision for parks and recreation. Click here for information on dates and meeting places.
What do all of these changes mean and more importantly how do they affect you?
Philadelphia has the potential to become a vastly different place. Everything from the look, size, location of homes and businesses, commercial or industrial uses permitted in your neighborhood, population density, available parking, procedural time and expense associated with improving and reinvesting in existing buildings, notice and input regarding project developments and more is open for discussion. Since the Fairmount Park Commission has been dissolved, even the quantity and quality of public parkland is at issue. The loss of taxpayer standing in Philadelphia zoning matters could means more legal hurdles for community groups who choose to appeal a zoning decision.
Voice your opinion
Public input on policies affecting our public spaces are being sought by the Zoning Code Commission and the Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Public hearings and community meetings are scheduled throughout the city. Links to the dates and locations are available on our website. Plan to attend these meetings to voice your concerns and suggestions; be a voice that helps guide the reshaping of our city.
Letters: City Needs Policy on Digital Signs
Tuesday, 11 August 2009 15:12
administrator
Philadelphia Inquirer
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Letters to the Editor: City needs policy on digital signs 
Inga Saffron's article on the PECO sign brings up an issue SCRUB has been working on for quite some time - the issue of digital or electronic signage in the public space ("Signs of light," Friday). The new sign has more intense lighting, more colors, and faster moving displays even though PECO, in trying out its new sign, has set the brightness at a fraction of what it could be.
Philadelphia currently has no comprehensive policy for electronic signs. It is a given that this technology will continue to evolve and grow. The question we need to ask now is, how do we want this technology used in Philadelphia? Should large commercial logo signs on buildings be allowed to change to bright, moving digital signs? Should neighborhood stores have large, bright signs advertising items sold in their stores all day and night? How about videos with sound?
New sign technologies make living inside a never-ending television commercial a very real possibility. Do we want that to be our reality in Philadelphia?
Lynn McConville
Board member
Society Created to Reduce Urban Blight
Philadelphia
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Editorial: Fighting blight on a bigger stage
Monday, 03 August 2009 17:53
Rebecca Johnson
August 3, 2009
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Don't get Mary Tracy started about those newfangled electronic billboards cropping up on the nation's highways - that is, unless you have the time to talk.
The antibillboard activist and founder of Philadelphia-based SCRUB - which bills itself as "the Public Voice for Public Space" - sees the flashing billboards as a bane to distracted drivers and the environment.
Click to continue...
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