Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signs And Advertising topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board upholds planning determination allowing sign correction rather than full removal at Lombard Street site
Summary
In a contested appeal, the board upheld the planning department's determination that an out‑of‑compliance sign may be corrected (lowered) to conform with the approved permit, while urging careful DBI review of structural safety issues raised in testimony.
The Board of Appeals upheld the Planning Department's determination that a nonconforming advertising sign at 2498 Lombard Street may be brought into compliance through corrective work rather than complete removal. The decision came after competing technical testimony and claims that the sign was never lawfully installed.
Advertising Display Systems argued the structure was unlawful from installation and should be removed; Clear Channel and its engineers presented structural plans and soil testing that, they said, permit lowering the sign seven feet to meet the approved dimensions. Planning staff pointed to a recently amended section of the planning code allowing violations to be corrected, and DBI staff confirmed their review and special inspection requirements.
Engineering witnesses disagreed about whether the embedded steel column reached the base of the pier and whether the original installation had been “floated.” Clear Channel’s engineer said the sign can be lowered and stabilized without demolition; independent challengers said supplemental structural work or full replacement might be required. Chief Building Inspector Lawrence Kornfield urged careful structural follow‑up.
The board upheld the Planning Department’s determination to allow correction and emphasized that any corrective permit or inspection should address structural safety and the soil/caisson condition noted in testimony. The ruling leaves DBI responsible for ensuring any work meets code and special inspection requirements.
