Westminster planning commission approves 90-foot digital billboard at 6260 Westminster Boulevard

The Westminster Planning Commission on Oct. 1 approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for a 90-foot digital billboard at 6260 Westminster Boulevard, adopting a resolution to allow two 20-by-60-foot LED display panels on a single support column adjacent to the 405 Freeway.

Stephanie Tomayino, contract planner for the Community Development Department, told commissioners the project complies with the city’s new billboard ordinance and zoning standards and recommended approval with conditions, including operational and maintenance requirements and lighting controls. "In conclusion, the proposed billboard complies with all location, development, and design standards of the zoning code," Tomayino said during the staff presentation.

The applicant, Andrew Fielder of Back Bay Investment Group, described the project as the "Westminster Gateway," saying the 90-foot height is necessary to ensure freeway visibility and stressing civic benefits including two free four-week public-service announcement periods each year, a 10% advertising discount for local businesses and what he described as "in excess of $10,000,000 in long term revenue" for the city.

Andy Goodman, a consultant for AGE Advertising and the project applicant, said the proposal meets the findings required by the recently adopted sign code and noted the city's peer lighting review found the sign would meet brightness thresholds set by the city and Caltrans. Goodman said the billboard will be calibrated to operate at 0.3 foot-candles above ambient levels and undergo independent post-construction testing to confirm compliance. "The billboards are set up to be 0.3 foot candles above ambient light," Goodman said.

Public testimony at the hearing included expressions of support and opposition. Antoine Lee, a nearby resident and engineer, praised the proposal as an economic and mobility-oriented improvement for the corridor. Opponents said the sign would harm neighborhood character and questioned environmental review and the clarity of the operating agreement. Casena Spencer, who said she lives at 1412 Wind Street, told commissioners she opposed adding more billboards and urged a focus on parks and neighborhood improvements rather than additional advertising. "I strongly believe that these sort of projects don't even see a high amount of attraction," Spencer said.

Longtime public commenter Terry Raines raised several procedural and legal concerns, saying he had identified more than 40 errors in the draft code and urging commissioners to require staff and the city attorney to respond point-by-point. Raines also raised CEQA-related questions and suggested the draft resolution lacks an explicit "no reasonable possibility" finding the commission should consider for a large, illuminated structure.

On technical and operational issues, staff said the nearest residential structure is more than 400 feet from the proposed sign (the ordinance requires 200 feet minimum), and the applicant committed to static images with a minimum 4-second display standard established by Caltrans; the applicant said it intends to operate the sign on an eight-second loop. Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff about an existing on-site pole sign: staff measured that pole sign about 25.5 feet from the proposed billboard. The applicant said its lease gives a proposed EV-charging tenant the option to reuse the pole sign and that it could not unilaterally commit to removing the existing pole sign because of contractual obligations; staff said any separate pole-sign relocation would be subject to applicable sign-permit review and the sign code.

Following the hearing and a period of questions, Chair Hamadi moved to approve case 2024-0005; Commissioner Wilbur seconded the motion. A roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Wolbert, Tran and Chair Hamadi voting "yes." The motion carried, 3-0. The commission's action becomes effective 15 days after the decision date identified in the notice of decision, and the applicant or other interested party may appeal the decision to the City Council in writing within that 15-day period.

The resolution approves a CUP to construct a 90-foot-tall digital billboard with two 20-by-60-foot LED display panels at 6260 Westminster Boulevard, in the C-1 zoning district. Conditions of approval incorporate lighting operational limits, maintenance requirements and a clarified condition that the operating agreement is subject to City Council approval. Where the record contains competing assertions about environmental review and certain contract details, those items were left available for future administrative or legal review and for the potential appeal process.