A six-month moratorium on new billboards has been passed by the Pittsburgh City Council as it struggles to formulate a policy for brightly lit LED signs.
"Pittsburgh City Council today passed a six-month moratorium on approving or erecting advertising billboards to give lawmakers time to write tighter zoning restrictions on the roadside placards -- particularly brightly lit, electronic ones.
"This is not about being unfriendly to business in any way, shape or form," said Councilman Bruce Kraus. "This is about taking a break to catch up with the technology of today."
The moratorium passed unanimously after a last-minute amendment stripped language that made the bill retroactive to March 12. Advertising companies have submitted dozens of billboard proposals in recent weeks in an attempt to beat when the moratorium takes effect.
"I would hope ... we could somehow put a policy in place in regards to swapping regular billboards for LED (billboards), which is what I think started this whole discussion," said Councilman Jim Motznik."
FULL STORY: Pittsburgh council adopts billboard moratorium

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont