Health & Fitness
"Blade Runner" Might Have Been Right Afterall!
Could Los Angeles end-up like the movie "Blade Runner" envisioned? Or more ads than Palm trees?
Blade Runner wasn’t exactly a hit movie when it came out in the eighties. Yet, even some of its harshest critics acknowledged its strong visual images of a future Los Angeles were chilling and unforgettable. Especially those showing a crowded, smoggy downtown Los Angeles filled with flashing, intensely colorful wall to wall, multi-storied billboard advertisements. I can recall thinking during the movie, what would it be like to be surrounded by ads? I also remember silently asking, could that really happen to LA? Well, apparently so. Especially if the current citywide sign ordinance now pending before the Los Angeles City Council is approved.
The proposed ordinance provides for a proliferation of commercial advertising on both private and public property. It will overrule numerous sign restrictions and laws in place throughout the city. City and private property owners would be allowed to sell space on their buildings. Even sacred recreational areas – our public parks - would be filled with advertising. Imagine walking through green spaces shared with shrinked wrapped benches, walls, fences, and even trash cans Although the present billboard laws call for a reduction on existing citywide billboard and signage blight, the new ordinance eliminates this long-sought and fought for restriction on Los Angeles’ numerous existing unpemitted billboards.
Under the new law, digital billboards could also be erected and/or placed on all buildings besides billboards. Although there are pending federal studies which have been investigating whether or not digital billboards are distracting to drivers, this ordinance could be approved before the studies are released. Moreover, there is no provision for ensuring reasonable energy use, moderate light pollution (since these signs flash and change images 24/7), and, again, traffic safety. Further, with unlimited digital signs, nearby residential areas and offices would have little, if any, buffer from the flashing lights. At minimum, a 2-year moratorium on new digital displays must be included in the ordinance along with sufficient studies and regulations developed to address them.
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The proposed ordinance is a result of two years' worth of intense lobbying by the billboard industry to overturn new laws and requirements. Some might argue it will be good for business – businesses will become more visible because they can have more signs, and the city will earn more fees from all of the new signs. However, those aren’t sufficient reasons for creating more signage blight and threatening our quality of life. Fortunately, the new ordinance is being opposed by many community activists, homeowners groups and Neighborhood Councils throughout the city. (Check out www.banbillboardblight.org).
It’s not to late to get involved too – there will be a October 18th hearing on the new ordinance at the City Council’s Planning Land Use and Management Committee (which will recommend yea or nay to the entire City Council). I urge you to consider adding your voice in opposition to the proposed motion for the reasons stated above. Please send emails to the addresses below. SOHA’s Board of Directors voted in opposition of the motion. Hopefully, other local groups will do the same. Otherwise, the fantasy depicted in Blade Runner will become our reality.
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By mail:
Councilmember Ed Reyes, Chair
Planning and Land Use Management Committee
200 No. Spring St.
