At the heart of the meeting was the application by Lamar Advertising of Penn LLC, represented by attorney Michael Butler, for a billboard that would require a D1 use variance, a D6 height variance, and several bulk variances. Derek Blatt, Lamar’s operations manager, provided insights into the company’s history and the specifics of the proposed billboard. Standing at 60 feet tall, the billboard has been designed to achieve visibility while considering the surrounding vegetation and the slope of the roadway. Despite having a valid permit from the New Jersey Department of Transportation since July 2018, the proposal has not been free from controversy.

Board members and residents have raised concerns over the billboard’s size and height, with some deeming it too imposing for the neighborhood. The board also grappled with issues regarding the unauthorized removal of trees, which Lamar committed to addressing in coordination with the property owner. The environmental aspect of the project, particularly the tree cutting without permits, has been a point of contention, emphasizing the need for compliance with local regulations.

The board’s discussion further extended to the billboard’s lighting and its potential impact on nearby residential communities. A lighting diagram was presented, but board members found it lacking in detail, prompting requests for a more comprehensive and understandable presentation that would include the anticipated light spillage onto neighboring properties. The board also considered the implications of a forthcoming state public hearing on the realignment of Route One, which could affect the billboard’s visibility.

Another topic of debate was the discrepancy between the approved multi-message permit and the proposed static billboard. This raised questions about the type of permit appropriate for the project and the procedures for changing the billboard’s messages. Maintenance of the billboard and its surrounding area also featured in the discussions, with board members seeking assurances on how the site would be managed.

The board was not only concerned with the technical aspects of the billboard’s operation but also with practical issues such as access ways, parking, and the weight of the vinyl used for the sign. Illumination times for the billboard were debated, particularly the timing for extinguishing the sign’s lights, to mitigate any negative effects on the community’s night-time environment.

The meeting began with the nomination and appointment of board officers, including chairperson, vice chairman, secretary, attorney, professional planner, and professional engineer. Following the appointments, the board approved the meeting minutes and resolutions for two cases. The first case, Z2 2020, involving Lamar’s billboard proposal, quickly became the focus of the meeting, leading to a discussion among board members, opposing counsel, and company representatives.

As the debate unfolded, the possibility of adjourning the vote to allow new board members to review the case transcript was considered. This adjournment would enable a more informed decision-making process. Ultimately, the board chair, emphasizing the need for civility and respect, deferred the vote and set the stage for further discussion at a subsequent meeting.