The board of the Old West Durham Neighborhood Association has voted unanimously to oppose any change in local ordinances that might allow electronic billboards in Durham.
Patrick Byker, representing Fairway Outdoor Advertising, recently spoke to the InterNeighborhood Council about a proposal going to the Planning Commission in 2009. According to the INC’s minutes, the 90 or so billboards in Durham County are considered non-conforming uses but allowed to stay up by federal law.
Billboard are only allowed on four highways in the county: U.S. 15-501, I-85, Hwy. 70 and the Durham Freeway (Hwy. 147). Fairway, which owns 54 billboards here, wants to convert up to eight of them to a digital format. This upgrade, which the company says runs $500,000 per sign, would include replacing wood timber supports with a steel pole.
Digital billboards can be programmed in 15 minutes to advertise Amber and Silver Alerts and other community service or emergency announcements, according to the INC minutes. If it gets its change, Fairway will donate one public service announcement in each rotation of advertising on the digital billboards.
Comments
oppose electronic billboards
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 20:19 — kjarrettCurrent federal law requires that when communities want to take down existing billboards owners must be compensated for the cost of the billboard and lost revenues. While the billboard industry wants to make it seem like replacing existing billboards with electronic ones and "donating" 1 of their 8 or so rotating ads to the community is a favor, it will actually make it much harder to get rid of billboards in the future--as Durham citizens would have to come up with $500,000/billboard (quoting Patrick Byker above) PLUS lost revenues--and of course, billboards that can flash 6-7 ads/minute generate a lot more revenue than current ones.
This issue is being completely driven by the billboard industry, not by Durham citizens requesting that our highways be adorned with flashing billboards that will distract drivers, contribute to global warming and light pollution, and generate profits for an out-of-town/out-of-state company. I say we're not interested!
No to electronic billboards
Sat, 12/27/2008 - 08:57 — bamawoodKeep in mind that the billboard industry wants to change our ordinance so they can erect electronic billboards that flash new ads every 7 seconds on the Durham Freeway, 15-501, I-85 and US 70.
So, we can walk along New Hope Creek and enjoy a big bright ad for used cars. Jog around Duke's golf course and see ads for hamburgers. Have dinner at American Tobacco and enjoy a bright horizon -- flashing good deals on teeth whitening and J&R's Cigar Outlet in Burlington.
Durham residents can wake up, work, play and sleep near one... :)
And, you gotta love the billboard industry's sudden new-found interest in the environment. Of course, that hasn't stopped them from cutting down even more trees in front of their billboards -- or putting up new electric ones -- each with a carbon footprint matching 13 houses.
1-2 individuals have suggested a so-called "compromise" where we just add a handfull of new e-billboards. That's just another way of saying, "let's water down Durham's billboard ordinance and open the door for e-billboards."
That's no compromise. That's not a good idea. There's no compelling reason to even go there...
The good news is neighborhoods across Durham are mobilizing against the e-billboard industry.
Here's some helpful background from Scenic America... http://www.scenic.org/dsus.pdf
~John Schelp