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Residents and Scenic America oppose North Shore Entertainment District digital billboards; council passes zoning change
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Summary
Public commenters, including Scenic America and local residents, urged council to reject proposals allowing large digital billboards in the North Shore Entertainment District. Despite opposition, council passed Bill 59 to create the district and amend sign regulations by an 8-0 vote.
Multiple residents and advocacy groups spoke during public comment to oppose proposed sign rules for a new North Shore Entertainment District. David Demko of Scenic Pittsburg said the proposals would allow 'an unlimited number of billboards' and warned such signs would appear across iconic viewpoints and could be as large as 2,500 square feet—far larger than the city's commonly allowed 750-square-foot maximum.
Zipporah Feldman, policy and research director for Scenic America, told council Scenic America 'strongly opposes the sign proposals in the North Shore Entertainment District,' arguing digital billboards increase light pollution, distract drivers, consume energy and can erode local planning protections when special districts are used to bypass longstanding rules.
Following public comment and committee reports, Councilman Wilson presented Bill 59, an ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code (Title 9, Article 6, Chapter 919) to create the North Shore Entertainment District and establish neighborhood/district gateway sign regulations. The council called the final vote; the clerk recorded the vote as 8 ayes, 0 nos and the ordinance passed.
Why it matters: The change alters local sign regulation for a defined area of the city and prompted public concern over visual character, safety and precedent for sign districts. Residents and national advocates urged the council to preserve citywide protections rather than authorize broad exceptions.
What’s next: The ordinance is adopted; implementation details and any administrative rules or permits will be handled by the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure per the ordinance's provisions.
