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Council approves Clear Channel lease addendum over public opposition; one recusal
Summary
After hours of public comment calling the changes a "bait and switch," the City Council approved a staff-recommended addendum to a Clear Channel billboard lease and CEQA addendum; council recorded one recusal and staff said contract terms include billboard removals and a minimum revenue guarantee.
The San Jose City Council on Tuesday approved a staff-recommended addendum to a lease with Clear Channel that expands digital billboard parameters after sustained public opposition and questions from councilmembers.
Opponents at the meeting called the revision a "bait and switch," saying Clear Channel sought larger and taller billboards than originally proposed and that the change was buried on the consent calendar. "Please say no to Clear Channel by not approving their bait and switch," said John Miller of No Digital Billboards. Other speakers raised concerns about light pollution and procedural transparency.
City staff told the council the currently proposed sign dimensions comply with Council Policy 6-4 and are just over 1,000 sq ft in area, under the 1,200 sq ft policy limit. Staff also said the lease requires a static-to-digital removal ratio of 6:1 and includes a minimum annual guarantee, totaling $6.8 million over the initial ten-year term.
Councilmember Tordillos asked staff to confirm compliance with policy and the lease terms; a city deputy director confirmed the dimensions and the removal and revenue commitments. Council discussion focused on whether the addendum represented an appropriate scope change and on balancing community concerns with projected revenue.
A motion to accept the staff recommendation and the environmental addendum passed; the council recorded one recusal by Councilmember Mulcahy. The vote count was recorded by staff as nine in favor and one recusal.
What happens next
With Council approval, staff will proceed with the amended lease terms and the associated CEQA addendum. The lease's removal, brightness and dark-hour restrictions will be enforced as written in the agreement; staff said the billboards must go completely dark between midnight and 6 a.m. and that lighting studies were included in the environmental addendum.
Councilmembers and members of the public continued to urge additional transparency and scrutiny of future amendments to outdoor advertising contracts.
