Westminster planning panel approves 90‑foot digital billboard at Westminster Boulevard

The Westminster Planning Commission voted 3‑0 on Oct. 1, 2025 to approve a conditional use permit to build a 90‑foot digital billboard with two 20‑by‑60‑foot LED panels at 6260 Westminster Boulevard, authorizing the project the applicant called "Westminster Gateway." Chair Hamadi made the motion and Commissioner Wilbur seconded; Commissioners Wolbert, Tran and Chair Hamadi voted yes.

Staff contract planner Stephanie Tomayino told the commission the application is the first billboard proposal under the city's recently adopted sign ordinance and that "the proposed billboard complies with all location, development, and design standards of the zoning code," citing a peer‑reviewed lighting study and a line‑of‑sight analysis. Staff said notices were mailed to property owners within 500 feet and that the city expanded the mailing area to 750 feet, adding roughly 40 additional notices.

Applicant Andrew Fielder of Back Bay Investment Group described the project as a combined EV‑charging redevelopment and signage feature, saying the 90‑foot height "is necessary for visibility" over freeway overpasses and existing on‑site signage. Fielder said the proposal would provide two 4‑week periods each year for city public service announcements, a 10% advertising discount for local businesses and "in excess of 10,000,000 in long term revenue for the city." Consultant Andy Goodman said the applicant intends to operate the billboard on an eight‑second advertising loop and that independent post‑construction lighting tests will verify compliance with the city's 0.3 foot‑candle threshold.

During public comment, resident Casena Spencer, who said she lives near an existing electronic billboard, called the proposal an "eyesore" and urged the commission to prioritize parks and neighborhood upkeep instead of adding more advertising structures. Public commenter Terry Raines flagged what he said were earlier code transcription errors and asked the commission to clarify the staff report's condition tying the operating agreement to city council approval; he also questioned whether the CEQA categorical exemptions cited (Class 3 and Class 11) adequately address the visual and environmental impacts of a large electronic billboard.

Commissioners questioned staff and the applicant about proximity to an existing on‑site pole sign (staff measured it at 25.5 feet away), who would be responsible for relocating that sign, the minimum and intended display refresh rates (4 seconds is the code/Caltrans minimum; the applicant plans an 8‑second loop), and utility capacity for the proposed EV station. Staff said pole‑sign relocation would be governed by property/lease arrangements and the sign code (the code allows one pole sign per property) and that tenant‑level utility approvals would be handled with the utility provider.

The resolution adopting the conditional use permit includes the conditions of approval discussed in the staff report and the late communications memo (which clarified language tying the operating agreement to city council approval). Staff noted the commission's decision becomes effective 15 days after the decision date and that the applicant or any interested party may file a written appeal with the city clerk within that period.

The commission deferred selection of a vice chair to a future meeting and adjourned.