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Planning Commission backs Metro plan for two-sided digital billboard and transportation-communication network
Summary
The Baldwin Park Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council approval of a development agreement and to adopt an initial study/mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring program for a two-sided digital billboard and Transportation Communication Network unit adjacent to 3100 Baldwin Park Boulevard.
The Baldwin Park Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a development agreement for construction of a two-sided digital billboard in the railroad right-of-way adjacent to 3100 Baldwin Park Boulevard and to adopt an associated initial study/mitigated negative declaration (IS/MND) and mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP).
Staff presented the proposal as a Metro-owned Transportation Communication Network (TCN) structure that will carry both commercial advertising and transportation messaging; the structure will collect certain traffic data and provide coordinated safety and emergency messaging across a countywide network. The sign would be sited behind the Target store in the rail right-of-way and have an overall structural height of 85 feet (57 feet measured from the adjacent freeway elevation), with LED sign faces whose brightness will be automatically adjusted in response to ambient light.
Why it matters: Metro represents the owner of the structure and intends the TCN to provide emergency and traffic-management messaging countywide, including during major events and disasters. The city will receive revenue from the project: staff reported an upfront fee of approximately $25,000 and a starting annual payment of about $75,000, rising in later terms. Staff recommended approval of Development Agreement DA2401 and adoption of the environmental document, subject to the mitigation and monitoring measures in the MMRP.
Applicant Kevin Donovan of AllVision (contractor for Metro) told commissioners that the TCN is intended primarily for transportation and emergency communications and to support Metro funding for county transportation needs. Donovan said the network could direct motorists during events or evacuations and described the structure as “Metro owned property” and part of a countywide TCN program. Staff answered commissioners’ questions on technical and procedural issues and said the environmental consultant was retained as the city’s consultant and that one written comment (from an out-of-state commenter concerned about LED health effects) had been addressed in the agenda packet.
Commission discussion touched on advertising limits, permitted message types, safety and distracted‑driving concerns and the consultant’s role; staff confirmed limitations on profane messages and noted the city name or logo could be included on the sign if the commission wished to recommend that. On a roll call vote the commission recommended approval and adoption of the IS/MND and MMRP and forwarded the development agreement recommendation to the City Council (Resolution PC 25-04).
Ending: The recommendation will go to the City Council for final action; the environmental document and development agreement were recommended by the Planning Commission to be adopted and approved by council.
