Planning Commission backs Metro-owned digital billboard, recommends MND and development agreement

The Baldwin Park Planning Commission voted Jan. 22 to recommend the City Council approve a development agreement (DA 24-01) and adopt an initial study/mitigated negative declaration (MND) and mitigation monitoring and reporting program for a proposed two-sided digital billboard in the railroad right-of-way adjacent to 3100 Baldwin Park Boulevard.

Staff said the structure would be owned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and operate as part of a Transportation Communication Network (TCN). The sign would be “hybrid” in nature, carrying commercial advertising as well as transportation and emergency messaging and traffic-data collection functions, and would connect with a countywide network of similar signs.

The project as presented would have an overall structural height of 85 feet and a height of 57 feet measured from the highest point of the nearby freeway; staff said that measurement is below the 65-foot measurement permitted by code when measured from the top of the freeway. The sign faces would use LED illumination with automatic brightness adjustment to meet local, state and federal standards. Staff also said the development agreement includes mitigation measures the city’s environmental consultant recommends to reduce potentially significant impacts to less-than-significant levels under CEQA.

Members of the public who spoke during the hearing raised health concerns about LED signage; staff noted the city’s environmental consultant had prepared a response to the written comment and that the comment and response were included in the agenda packet. The applicant’s contractor, Kevin Donovan of AllVision, said Metro will operate and maintain the structure and that advertising revenue would fund Metro transportation needs countywide. Donovan said the city would receive a one-time upfront payment (staff said approximately $25,000) and an annual fee starting at about $75,000 per year, with later estimates cited up to about $115,000 per year depending on contract terms.

After applicant and staff presentations and questions from commissioners about message limits, safety, and the environmental review, the commission moved to recommend approval. A roll-call vote recorded Chair Escobosa, Vice Chair Pena, Commissioner Roman Rodriguez and Commissioner Gonzales voting yes; the commission adopted resolution PC 25-04 recommending Council approve DA 24-01 and found the MND and MMRP were prepared in accordance with CEQA.

The recommendation now goes to the City Council for final action. The staff report, environmental document, the written public comment and the consultant response were included in tonight’s agenda packet and will be part of the council record.