Concerned citizens were out in numbers Wednesday, March 16, as the City of Tacoma's Planning Commission listened to public testimony regarding proposed revisions to billboard regulations. In a glorious representation of our city's intellect and quirkiness, public statements ran the gambit from prepared arguments rooted in legal precedent, to a call for reason using a local painting to a humorous connection marrying digital billboards to terror and pornography.

The commission is reviewing proposed changes in Tacoma's billboard regulations based on a framework outlined in a potential settlement between Clear Channel Outdoor and the City of Tacoma, highlighted by a proposal that calls for the installation of a limited number of digital billboards and the removal of a substantial number of static billboards.

All but one of over two-dozen citizens testified vehemently against the proposed digital billboards. Many citizens had a similar message to deliver to the commission, and after the first few statements many speakers began by saying "I agree with my all fellow citizens here today." In what felt like a sign of unification and earnest, nearly all those who gave testimony stayed the entire time to applaud others who had yet to speak.  

Citizens built their arguments on a variety of grounds, but the two most common arguments were based on road safety (many argued digital billboards are distracting to drivers) and the preservation of Tacoma's aesthetic. Speakers ranged from lawyers and scientists to students and retirees. They hailed from all parts of Tacoma and many listed their neighborhood councils as affiliations.  

Kevin Freitas, founder of feedtacoma.com, wondered aloud why the city is considering changes that stand to benefit "a corporation that has been continuously in violation of city code."

Many citizens took the opportunity to not only protest the proposed digital billboards, but also the static billboards Tacoma already has.

"You guys (the commission) should be taking the high road, which is to say no to billboards, getting rid of the ones we have and denying the digital ones," said Jori Artkins.

Others pointed to environmental concerns, including Sharon Winters from Historic Tacoma, who stated that "one digital billboard uses as much energy in a year as 12 homes."

Winters went on to make one of the best quips of the evening, observing sarcastically, "When this technology becomes outdated the (electronic) billboards will be too expensive to dismantle, so in 50 years we will have some historic billboards."  

Local cartoonist R.R Anderson lightened the mood when he took the podium. After a few opening jokes Anderson wondered aloud, in a comedic bellow, about the security of the proposed billboard's large digital screens.

"The billboards are susceptible to hacking," he explained. "Imagine one day if all of them were to be showing pornography." Anderson's antics were welcomed with laughs and smiles from both the audience and the commission.

By the time all 33 speakers had been heard it was clear those in attendance stand unified in their opposition of the proposed digital billboards. Citizens also openly welcomed further legal action against Clear Channel, who has been in violation of Tacoma's billboard code for many years. The Planning Commission is still accepting written testimony about the regulations and at the end of the hearing Chairman Jeremy Doty seemed very genuine as he thanked the citizens for their input.