Rep. Adolph crafts billboard legislation

Monday, November 2, 2009

State Rep. Bill Adolph, R-165, of Springfield, recently introduced two pieces of legislation that would restrict billboard placement in the state and increase annual fees on the signs.

Adolph’s district lies in one of several municipalities in the county attempting to block the Bartkowski Investment Group from erecting 22 billboards in high-traffic areas.

BIG has proposed billboards in Springfield, Morton, Haverford, Newtown and Marple, sparking highly contentious zoning board hearings.

Adolph’s first bill would prohibit the signs from being erected within 500 feet of a school, public park, playground, residential housing area, child care facility, church or meeting house or state highway.

It would also stipulate public hearings be held before any permits are issued for billboards and that all business owners within 500 feet of the proposed site be given written notice of the hearings.

The second piece of legislation would increase annual permit fees from between $10 and $30 to between $140 and $160, which would go to beautifying the areas surrounding the installations.

“Motorists taking their eyes off the road to view billboards in these areas create a safety hazard to pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers on the road,” said Adolph in a release. “Especially along Baltimore Pike and West Chester Pike, the proliferation of billboards has become not only an eyesore, but a real concern for pedestrians trying to cross these congested roadways.”

— ALEX ROSE