Edison hearing on digital billboard will continue in February
EDISON - The township Zoning Board of Adjustment will continue a public hearing next month on plans for a 100-foot double-sided V-shaped digital billboard on Old Post Road facing drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Tuesday's Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on the application from American Outdoor Advertising was continued to Feb. 21 to allow time for nearby residents to ask questions about the project and give their opinions after this week's meeting ran for nearly three hours.
The billboard is planned for a 6.4-acre site with the back of the sign facing nearby homes.
American Outdoor Advertising wants to erect the digital billboard at the property at 740 Old Post Road that is zoned for light industrial use. Part of the sign will face northbound traffic on the Turnpike and part will face southbound traffic.
More:Large digital billboard proposed near Edison homes along NJ Turnpike
The billboard will offer real-time messages about places, services, events, businesses, public service announcements and emergency alerts.
A use variance is required because billboards are a conditional use in the light industrial zone.
A height variance is being sought because the maximum permitted billboard height is 15 feet, but 100 feet is proposed. Variances also are being sought for a double-sided billboard when one sign face is permitted.
More:Edison: New date for hearing on digital billboard along NJ Turnpike
During Tuesday's meeting applicant experts testified the light from the sign will not have an adverse impact on nearby homes because the billboard will be behind trees. In addition horizontal and vertical louvers on the sign will block the light from certain angles.
American Outdoor Advertising last year completed a double sided digital billboard along the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury. The company also has a pending application in Franklin Township and is pursuing state permits for four or five other locations, a company managing member said at the hearing.
The meeting also included the election of Michael Comba as board chairman and Daniel O'Gorman as vice chairman.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison hearing on digital billboard will continue in February
