Electronic Billboards in Syracuse

Many cities around the country have faced controversy on whether electronic billboards should be approved.

Syracuse has electronic billboards placed in several locations like along Interstates 81 and 690.

Businesses like Lamar Outdoor Advertising have attempted to convert more paper billboards to the more high-tech version.

In July of last year, the Syracuse Common council approved a six-month halt to the placement of any new electronic billboards.

In the meantime, an independent consulting firm investigated whether the signs posed a safety hazard to drivers by distracting them from the road. The possible distractions are among the major concerns of city residents.

The council is now working on legislation that will determine the regulations on billboards.
Councilors asked the law to be redrafted because they considered it to be “slanted towards billboard companies”, City Clerk John Copanas said.

Councilors felt that the original legislation provides too much protection to advertising businesses and less consideration of the rights of neighbors of the area where the billboards will be placed, Copanas said.

Copanas said the regulations are likely to cover details like limiting the billboards’ levels of brightness.