Tarentum board says zoning ordinance does not exclude billboards

Tarentum’s Zoning Hearing Board determined that the borough’s zoning ordinance does not, in effect, exclude billboards everywhere in town.

The ruling is part of an ongoing debate regarding a request from America First Enterprises to install an LED billboard at 107 E. Fourth Ave. Elevated on a pole, it would be close to the Tarentum Bridge and easily seen from it.

America First, which is doing business as Oliver Outdoor, argued that Tarentum’s zoning ordinance is unconstitutional, because the company claims that it effectively doesn’t allow for such an LED billboards anywhere in the borough.

Oliver Outdoor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Testifying Monday on behalf of Tarentum Borough government, Borough Manager Michael Nestico and Zoning Officer Anthony Bruni testified that the ordinance does allow for billboards.

“Our zoning ordinance designates a specific area of town that allows for billboards. It is along the Route 28 corridor,” Nestico said. “We believe that location along a major highway is more suitable for this type of use.”

The “majority of residents” oppose the idea of installing an LED billboard right next to the Tarentum Bridge, according to Nestico.

“We’ve heard many complaints about the concerns for safety issues, driving distractions, light pollution, and the like,” Nestico said. “We’re not only concerned that this one billboard could create a dramatic change for the residents and businesses located in this area, but also that it could open up the flood gates for other billboards to litter this district.”