Summary Prepared by The Pennsylvania Resources Council on July 16, 2009

Over the past 11 months, Thaddeus Bartkowski, of Bartkowski Investment Group (B.I.G.) has made applications for 22 billboards to be erected in the following towns: Marple (7 Billboards), Springfield (7 Billboards), Haverford (5 Billboards), Newtown (3 Billboards) townships and Morton borough (1 Billboard). The sizes of the billboard faces applied for are 672 square feet (14ft. x 48ft.) except for one billboard application in Newtown township which was 1200 square ft. (20ft.x60ft.) billboard. When all of the towns rejected the applications for the billboards,B.I.G. challenged the validity of the sign ordinances and asked the zoning hearing boards for variances.

The height of these billboards range from approximately 50 feet in the air to 78 feet depending on the topography of the pole locations. Also, Bartkowski Investment Group is making application for double faced billboards, "V" shaped, free standing signs, so instead of 22 billboards there will really be 44. Also, these out door advertising signs have a 3 foot apron so though the face of the sign is 672 square feet, the sign itself is 816 square feet towering above the rooftops.

In most cases, with the exception of Marple and Newtown Townships, the sign ordinances either did not address off-premise outdoor advertising or banned off-premise outdoor advertising. Marple and Newtown Townships voted to revise their sign ordinance prior to B.I.G.'s applications.

Meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been held so far in Springfield and Haverford. The attorneys for B.I.G. have asked for a continuance in each of the other towns. The schedule of Zoning Board Hearing meetings is as follows:

The locations of the properties where the billboards are proposed, the property owners', who have signed an agreement to lease B.I.G. space for the billboards, and the relevant contact information are listed below:

Please note that the store owner may be different, therefore in certain situations, the store owner may not have any control over the B.I.G. lease.

Springfield Township

Haverford Township

Marple Township

Newtown Township

Morton Borough

It is imperative that people keep the pressure on by attending the Zoning Board Hearing meetings, because B.I.G. is hoping that you will get tired and go away, since this may go on for months and maybe years. The Zoning Hearing Boards need to know that a variance is absolutely unacceptable.

It is important to be informed about these issues, below are some websites that may be helpful:

www.haverfordblog.com
www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20090404_3_Delco_communities_fight_billboard_plan.html
www.saveardmorecoalition.orgwww.westgatehillscivic.org
www.prc.org

Contact Information:
Carol Butler
Environmental Program Specialist
The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC)
3606 Providence Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
610-353-1555 ext 230
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Mary Tracy, Executive Director
SCRUB, Public Voice for Public Space
1315 Walnut Street
Suite 1605
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.731.1775
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