Edison Zoning Board Rejects Proposal For Large Billboard On Turnpike

EDISON, NJ – The Township’s Zoning Board rejected the proposal for a large double-sided digital billboard on Old Post Road during Tuesday’s meeting.

American Outdoor Advertising has proposed a 100-foot digital billboard, with two sides on 740 Old Post Road.

The Zoning Board rejected the plan as developers failed to meet the criteria needed to grant variant for the project.

The applicant was seeking a height variance because the maximum permitted billboard height is 15 feet, but they’ve proposed 100 feet.

Other variances that were sought included a maximum sign area of 672 square feet where 250 square feet is permitted; front yard setback of 50 feet was required, but 10 feet proposed; side yard setback of 40 feet required by 15 feet proposed; the number of sign faces permitted is one, but the billboard proposed was double sided.

Zoning Board Chairman Michael Comba that during the long hearing process, the board had made several requests for conditions like making the sign static and reducing the height. All of these were rejected by the applicant.

“I’ve heard that the Council is developing an ordinance with regard to billboards within the township. That’s something I commend because it’s needed,” Comba said.

The board voted unanimously to reject the application, which some members of the public applauded.

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