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Planning Commission approves Lamar variances to relocate billboard and add LED face at 833 Paxton Street
Summary
Harrisburg Planning Commission approved variances and a special exception allowing Lamar Advertising to relocate a two‑sided billboard at 833 Paxton Street, convert one face to an LED changeable message board and operate under conditions including PennDOT approval and a 6‑transitions‑per‑minute limit.
The Harrisburg Planning Commission on Nov. 6 approved variances allowing Lamar Advertising to relocate an existing two‑sided billboard at 833 Paxton Street, convert one face to an internally illuminated LED changeable message board and operate under conditions set by planning staff.
The decision allows a relocation and reconfiguration of signage on a 20.18‑acre industrial parcel bisected by Interstate 83. Planning staff said the application requires variances from Section 7‑325.14A3 to permit back‑to‑back signage separated by more than the permitted five feet and from Section 7‑325.14A6 to permit an electronic changeable message board.
The planning bureau recommended approval with conditions: the applicant must secure any approvals required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, limit message transitions to six per minute consistent with a prior zoning‑hearing‑board approval, and ensure the relocated support is outside the AE floodplain or otherwise resolve floodplain designation.
Jeff (planning bureau staff) described the site and the rationale in staff remarks, noting the variance relief would offset the loss of multiple static signage faces caused by the Interstate 83 widening and that the industrial, auto‑oriented corridor and widened highway make the installation “not detrimental to the general character of the neighborhood.”
Michael Adams, real estate manager for Lamar Harrisburg, said the company accepted the staff conditions. Andy Reebok, a Lamar representative, said the proposal consolidates signage lost to the highway widening and showed an overlay of impacted structures to illustrate the scope.
Commissioners expressed few concerns. Commissioner McKissick said the application was “fairly well documented,” and Commissioner O'Toole said the transition limit “won't be much of a distraction to the drivers.” With a motion and second, the commission approved the request with the staff conditions; the motion carried.
The city will forward any required PennDOT approvals and confirm floodplain designation before final implementation.
