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Planning Commission approves advertising on Third Street platforms to fund maintenance
Summary
The Planning Commission voted Oct. 19 to amend the planning code to allow advertising panels on 28 Third Street/E‑Line transit platforms, enabling CBS Outdoor to sell ads to fund maintenance and repairs; commissioners sought clearer visual materials for related future presentations.
The San Francisco Planning Commission on Oct. 19 approved a planning‑code amendment allowing advertising on 28 Third Street/E‑Line transit platforms to help fund maintenance, repair and replacement of platform components.
The amendment, presented by Kirsten McGarry of the Municipal Transportation Agency, would let a contractor (currently CBS Outdoor under contract through Dec. 2007) place advertising panels on the existing frames and sell ad space; the revenue is designated for upkeep of the platforms. McGarry said the platforms are in place and showed photographs of the three‑panel configuration used at many stops.
Commissioners pressed staff for clearer visuals in the meeting packet. Commissioner Catherine Moore said she expected images of the specific sign designs and their placement; staff and the MTA clarified that the code change authorizes ads in existing sign frames rather than approving the artwork or exact layouts. Planning staff noted the amendment does not change platform construction approvals already handled by MTA and the Port Commission.
After discussion about where ads and community art would be located, and confirmation that advertising proceeds would be devoted to platform maintenance, the commission voted to approve the code amendment. The motion carried with affirmative votes from the commissioners present.
The commission asked staff and MTA to include station photographs and platform details in future materials when similar requests come forward so commissioners and the public can evaluate visual and design impacts.
