Hatboro Limits Billboards

Rather than waiting for a court battle that could cost $200,000 to $300,000, the Hatboro Borough Council followed the advice of its attorney in adopting an . 

The new regulation, which was adopted unanimously Monday night following a public hearing, amends the borough code to provide for signs up to 75 square feet in the borough’s heavy industrial and limited industrial zones along County Line or Warminster roads.

Borough solicitor Christen Pionzio said billboard companies have sued municipalities that do not provide for billboard use in local codes. The “remedy” for not allowing billboards, she said, are billboards up to 672 square feet, or 14 feet high and 48 feet long, as she said is the case with an East Norriton challenge. 

“We’re talking about billboards that you see along I-95, the turnpike,” Pionzio said. “To me, that is a very scary proposition.”

Under Hatboro's ordinance, billboards could not be closer than 500 feet apart, would have to be at least 200 feet away from residences and could not be more than 25 feet high, she said. Based on those guidelines, two billboards, at most, could be erected, according to Pionzio.

“We’re giving enough to make them go away,” Pionzio said. “Maybe they’ll take their fight elsewhere.”

Other communities, including Abington and Springfield townships are currently battling in court over billboard usage, she said. In Whitpain Township, Pionzio said a 200-square-foot sign was allowed recently.

In Horsham, the township council is slated to introduce an ordinance at tonight’s meeting to amend its billboard regulations.

Hatboro Councilman Robert Hegele worried that a court could intervene and conclude that the borough's Jacksonville Road corridor should also be included in the area allotted for billboards.

Ultimately, a court could make that ruling, Pionzio said, adding that the ordinance provisions are “reasonable.”

“I feel that having at least two opportunities in the borough is enough,” Pionzio said. “I’m comfortable that what we’ve done is the minimum and maximum.”