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Committee approves amendment to allow digital news-ticker sign in WST West overlay
Summary
Bill 250175, which would add digital sign controls to a subarea of the WST West Overlay in University City, was amended in committee and reported favorably; the Planning Commission recommended approval with boundary and code-section clarifications.
The Committee on Rules adopted an amendment to Bill 250175 on May 21 and reported the measure favorably for first reading. The ordinance would amend Chapter 14 (Title 14) of the Philadelphia zoning code to add digital sign controls within a subarea of the WST West Overlay District in the University City Southwest Planning District.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, director of legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, told the committee the bill “will allow a digital illuminated news ticker style sign on a building within a certain sub area of the WST West Overlay District in the vicinity of 30 First and Market Streets.” The PCPC recommended approval at its April 17 public meeting with two technical amendments: changing a code cross-reference (from 14-516(d) to 14-516.3(d)) and clarifying the eastern boundary to the east side of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and the rail right-of-way.
Councilmember Gauthier moved the amendment to Bill 250175; the amendment was seconded and adopted by voice vote. Later the committee voted to report the bill with a favorable recommendation and to suspend rules for first reading at the next Council session.
Why it matters: the bill defines where and how an illuminated digital “news-ticker” may operate in a portion of University City, with explicit limits on size and hours written into the ordinance and with clarified boundaries as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Next steps: the committee reported the bill favorably and moved to schedule the first reading at the next Council session.
