BIG Engineer Sticks to Story: Proposed Billboards in Newtown Are Safe

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Another round of cross examinations ensued between Bartkowski Investment Group, Inc.'s (BIG) chosen engineer Michael Tantala of Tantala Associates, LLC, and Jim Byrne, 's representing attorney, at a Newtown Zoning Hearing Board meeting on the three billboards proposed by BIG on Wednesday evening.

BIG continued to fight for approval for the three proposed billboards in the township: the auto shop at 3105 West Chester Pike; Newtown Hair Stylng at 3513 West Chester Pike; and at 3545 West Chester Pike.

At the last hearing in July, Tantala stated that based upon his research, it was in his professional opinion, "with a reasonable engineering certainty," that the three proposed billboards along West Chester Pike/Rt. 3 in Newtown Square "will not present a traffic obstruction for vehicles moving on the route."

Tantala stuck to his guns at Wednesday nght's cross examination and continued to state that "on the basis of my analysis, and on the basis of other studies that have been cited, and on the basis of what PennDOT safely permits, and on the basis of what's fairly ubiquitous in other townships throughout Pennsylvania, permits these signs."

Touching upon recent natural disaster events, such as the earthquake and Hurricane Irene, that occurred in the area, Byrne asked Tantala if he had any idea that Clear Channel had issued out an emergency plan to secure billboards and outdoor advertising signs in preparation for the storm.

Tantala said he was unaware of any emergency plan but stated that he believed precautionary measures were taken but were "not a requirement" and that "...other companies did not put their boards down and I do know many of these signs exceeded the winds of the hurricane, which I mean when I said that these measures were just precautionary measures."

After more questioning from Byrne, Tantala agreed that the vinyl copies on some billboard signs were taken down for precautionary measures. 

In addition, Byrne questioned one of the studies that Tantala relied upon in coming to his conclusion deeming that the proposed billboards were safe and would not distract drivers.

"I rely on many different things in addition to this study. I quote in their direct words..." said Tantala referring to the study used, "Some items such as, CD radios, billboards and temperature controls are not significant distractions."

But Byrne stated in the same report used by Tantala in his research that even in ideal situations, "The report narratives are too incomplete to use in any statistical way to determine the relative importance of specific distracting events."

As the cross examination continued with Tantala, Tantala referred back to what PennDOT permitted in the use of outdoor advertising and signs for areas similar to Newtown Township.

"My opinion is that PennDOT approves these signs on these types of roads," said Tantala. "I believe these signs are safe."

Following up with Tantala's statement, Byrne highlighted that BIG has yet to submit an application for PennDOT's approval on the basis of these specific billboards proposed for Newtown Township.

"So, as of this point in time, PennDOT has not made any decision relative to any one of these individual signs?" asked Byrne to Tantala. "So, your opinion is based upon some permission by PennDOT that has not yet even been applied for."

Tantala referenced PennDOT's code on what they permit and what they prohibit on similar roadways like West Chester Pike in regards to outdoor signs and believed PennDOT would permit these three proposed billboards.

Additionally, Byrne challenged Tantala's study of how far from the billboards were deemed to be in a non-viewable zone–which was allocated at 134 feet from the sign from Tantala's study–from drivers, pedestrians and residents.  

"The sign doesn’t disappear from 134 feet," said Byrne. "You’re still going to see it when you get down to [Route] 252 and West Chester Pike. You’re still going to see that 672-square-feet sign, 58-feet high in the air, especially if it’s lighted at night."

Tantala said the goal was that drivers passing through would be able to have approximately 11.9-12.3 seconds of viewing time or "fleeting glances" at the signs.

The billboards will all measure at 14 feet by 48 feet with varying overall heigh measurements. The billboard location on 3105 West Chester Pike will have a proposed overall height of 58 feet; an overall height of 55 feet 3513 West Chester Pike; and and overall height of 58 feet for 3545 West Chester Pike.

The next Zoning Board Hearing meeting with BIG will continue on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.