Hatboro Looks to Limit Billboards

“Interactive” billboards would not find a home in Hatboro and other such signage would only be permitted in the limited and heavy industrial districts under a proposed regulation the council is considering.

The governing body introduced the ordinance at borough solicitor Christen Pionzio’s suggestion during last week’s meeting. Pionzio said the ordinance would be a “quick fix” to prevent people from suing the borough to allow billboards.

“As of now our ordinance does not provide for billboards at all,” Pionzio told the council, adding that it would serve as “protection from any challenge that could walk through this door.”

If the amendment is enacted, billboards would be permitted in sections of roadway along South Warminster Road or East County Line Road, according to the proposed ordinance.

Billboards would be limited to 25 feet tall and 75 square feet per face. In addition, the signs would not be allowed to feature sound, or to “flash, scroll, fade, revolve, move, have intermittent lighting or movable characters or animated parts.”

In short, interactivity is out.

“All changeable copy on a billboard shall change uniformly and completely,” according to the ordinance. “Once changed, the copy of any part of the billboard shall not change again in less than 30 seconds.”

The council will consider final adoption following a public hearing at its July 9 meeting.