A Philadelphia City Council committee approved a controversial proposal to allow "Urban Experiential Displays" (i.e., large, 3D digital advertisements) in Center City.
Jared Brey breaks the news: "On Tuesday, Council’s Committee on Rules unanimously approved a bill that would allow a handful of 'Urban Experiential Displays'—three-dimensional digital displays that will carry advertisements, original content, and city messages—to be built at a few key corners in Center City.
According to Brey, the enabling legislation "creates a special zoning overlay where the signs will be allowed, though each individual sign will be subject to review from the Planning Commission, the Art Commission, and the Civic Design Review Committee." The proposal provoked strong words of opposition when it was first proposed last April.
The approval of the plan is another unfortunate case of planning review running afoul of politicians' intentions: the city's Planning Commission voted 6-2 against the proposal last week. Brey's coverage delves deeper into the negotiations between commissioners and city councilmembers. A vote from the full council could come as soon as next week.
FULL STORY: Committee approves bill allowing 3-D digital ads in Center City
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