One of the fixtures that we see in all major cities is the ubiquitous billboard. Try going down the major artery in any city and the chances are that you will see gigantic billboards left and right. Look up, and look even higher – the billboards are there.
Gone are the days of “wide open spaces.” They have been replaced by these structures – both vinyl and digital boards. Heck, even the sides of buildings are riddle with signage.
While I do realize the importance of these signage, I also realize that too much of it can destroy the charm of any city. And perhaps this is what the Los Angeles Planning Commission has in mind for they have voted to “recommend dramatically reworked restrictions on signs that would ban digital billboards and supergraphics — the vinyl signs stretched across the sides of buildings — throughout most of the city.”
According to a report published by the LA Times, the commission had debated over this issue, which would effectively reduce the size and nature of signs all over the city. The law will cover not only billboards but store and sales signs as well. One notable thing is that existing billboards and other signage will not be affected by the new law.
In any case, the City Council still has to take a look at the proposal before it can be enforced as the law. I am thinking that it will be approved, though, and it just might clean up the city’s skyline.
Photo courtesy of www.wmsalitdesign.com/projects/aof.html
Originally posted on March 31, 2009 @ 7:50 am