Located at Dreamers Self Storage at 1022 Hellertown Road, the proposed LED has already been home to a one-sided billboard, which was first installed in 1929. Adams Outdoor Advertising's Lois Archzewski, in very detailed and articulate testimony, actually produced the original lease. More importantly, she told zoners that this sign is 555' away from the nearest residentially zoned district.
Archzewski told zoners that LED signs have existed since 2001, and were introduced to the Lehigh Valley in 2007. She explained that for the 1,000 signs under her control, only 14 are LEDs, which only go into "strategic locations."
She called the 1022 Hellertown Road site, located along Rte 412 and near Interstate 78, a "gateway to Bethlehem," surrounded by 1,000 acres of industrial land leading to an emerging entertainment district.
She also explained that LED signs have many advantages over static displays. For one thing, Adams Outdoor makes community advertising available to the City on a space available basis. More importantly, the LED can be used for emergency messages. Located close to an Interstate, this sign will be able to warn drivers if there is an accident. Noting the snowstorm several years ago in which some people were stranded on highways for thirty-six hours, she indicated that a sign could have warned people where to get off the highway. "If we only had digital then," she lamented.
Messages will display for six seconds, to be replaced by another. PennDOT requires the changes to take place within a second, and prohibits fading. The changes are imperceptible to the human eye.
According to Archzewski, streetlights and the headlights of oncoming traffic have more lumens than an LED sign. There is also an automatic dimmer for the evening and even stormy weather
Coopersburg resident John Domingas, who owns a rental property at 1028 Hellertown Road, complained that his tenants will move out because of the glare. But in response to questioning from Allentown Attorney Vic Cavacini, Domingas admitted that his rental is in an industrial area. Colleen Miller, who owns the site being leased by Adams Outdoor, added that 30' arborvitaes planted at the LED site will block at least 2/3 of the view from the Domingas property.
City activist Bill Scheirer, armed with maps under his arms, asked to address the Zoning Hearing Board. But Attorney Cavacini objected noting that Scheirer lacked standing because he has no direct interest and resides more than 300' away from the proposed LED.
A similar objection was was sustained to 1503 Creek Road.resident Larry Eighmy, who was actually there to present his own appeal. He lives 0.9 miles away from the proposed LED, according to Google maps.
When 1032 Main Street resident Martha Popichak (3.9 miles away) was denied standing as well, she argued that any resident should be able to speak about something placed near a "gateway of the City." "I would like to know what the avenues are to make our voices heard," she complained.
Solicitor Mickey Thompson explained that listening to people who have no standing might "taint" a quasi-judicial proceeding, which could be reversible error.
9 comments:
Gee, I wonder why bo picked that particulr picture for his post....
A digital sign on I/78 by Lehigh Street is blinding as is another actually "on" Lehigh Street by the
Redners. Blinding and a terrible distraction on heavily traveled roads.
Bernie,
Maybe you could find out how an outdoor advertising company is allowed to buy public land such as a small open space near the north exit ramp of I/78 at Lehigh
that now has totally blocked and destroyed any glimpse of the sky
as well as drivers first view of the city's landmarks.
These signs are a disgrace and dangerous. This is the heartless nature of Capitalism. The signs must go.
"This is the heartless nature of Capitalism."
No. It is the heartless nature of humans, just as it is humans who make decisions for the likes of Wegmans and Walmart to donate to local organizations, or the dozens of businesses who collected money for the slain police officer's family.
Last I checked (couple of years ago), Bethlehem has an interesting take on billboard zoning regulations. They are basically prohibited by ordinance in the industry standard 12x25 or 14x48' form (easily challenged legally by applicant as an exclusion of a valid land use), but you can go plead your case to the ZHB and they will allow whatever you want. As was the case for this one, the other Adams one on the hill-to-hill bridge, and the Tri-Outdoor one at 22 & 378.
Anon 7:57, what area are you referring to? I-78 at Lehigh Street in Allentown?
Businesses want my cash, so "they" can donate it in their names to charities. The dishonest nature of Capitalism.
It's not your cash after you willingly give it to them. I'll bet you're fat as well as stupid and blame that on some philosophy that victimizes poor old you. Capitalism is a bitch for the lazy, covetous and stupid.
Anon 7:57, what area are you referring to? I-78 at Lehigh Street in Allentown?
10:15 PM
yes
The Adams sign on the Hill to Hill Bridge never appeared before the zoning board. The sign is on property owned by Bethlehem and the municipality is exempt from zoning regulations.
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