Santa Clarita officials have released the text of the ballot measure for a controversial deal with Metro and Allvision regarding the removal of 62 billboards across the city in exchange for three new billboards facing the freeway.
After months of public outreach by the city in support of the deal, and public outcry from a group of residents opposed to the deal, the question facing registered voters at the polls Nov. 4 will read:
“Shall Ordinance 14-02 adopting a development agreement with (Metro) for the removal of 62 advertising structures, within the city, by Metro or any other means, and construction and operation of three digital billboards, adjacent to the Interstate 5 and State Route 14 freeways, and the dedication to the city of revenue received from digital billboards, which creates an ongoing revenue stream, be adopted?”
Santa Clarita City Councilman Bob Kellar was appointed to draft the argument in favor of the measure, which will appear on the ballot.
One of the 62 billboards slated for removal under the November ballot measure.
The ballot measure is the result of a referendum organized by voters, who were sponsored by a billboard lobbying group, the California State Outdoor Advertising Association.
Santa Clarita residents gathered more than more than 16,000 signatures in opposition to the city’s plan to put up three giant electronic billboards in Santa Clarita. Of those, 11,370 were deemed sufficient by Los Angeles County officials, which exceeded the 11,170-signature threshold.
The referendum gave the city three options: repeal the deal, take it down for reconsideration at least a year after the deal’s original approval or put it to a vote on a ballot.
City officials are working on the process, and will be launching a website in the next few weeks, which will include frequently asked questions, a calendar section, forms documents and other information related to the billboard ballot measure, said Armine Chaparyan, interim city clerk.
Arguments for and against the measure may now be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. Aug. 15, and rebuttal arguments may be submitted to the city clerk by Aug. 25.
City Councilman TimBen Boydston questioned the wording of the ballot measure itself, while Kellar noted it was accurate because it encompassed the total number of billboard removed, including a buyout of Edwards Outdoor Advertising billboards.
“It is true that with the subsequent deal that was made with (Edwards) by the city of Santa Clarita that the original information having to do with the removal of billboards on the Metro right of way is not exactly reflective of the original deal,” Kellar said. “However, the referendum dealt with the deal that was on the table before, and you can’t modify it.”
Boydston felt this was subterfuge by his fellow City Council members.
“It’s frustrating to me that the council was not willing to tell what the truth,” Boydston said, noting a buyout of Edwards Outdoor removed 20 of the 62 billboards on the Metro right of way. “During the discussion, I wanted very much to not be misleading people.”
Both opponents and advocates of the billboard deal have accused the other side of spreading misinformation, with City Councilman Dante Acosta noting from the dais he was misled by signature-gatherers during the referendum effort.
Kellar said he did not personally encounter any petition-gatherers, but he respected the opposition. He took those who spoke at the June 24 City Council meeting at their word when they said they were honest during their efforts to collect signatures, he said.
However, Kellar remained resolute in his opinion of the ballot measure and the billboard deal, and felt voters would agree with him.
“I look on this billboard deal as a tremendous opportunity for the city of Santa Clarita and all of its citizens. The removal of 116 billboards on the Metro right of way in exchange for six faces is what I call a great exchange,” he said. Couple with that the blight that will be taken out of the inner portions of our city, and to be in receipt of hundreds of thousands of dollars each year is an incredible opportunity for this city.”
[KHTS] - A proposal by the Metropolitan Transit Authority to remove 118 billboards in the Santa Clarita Valley in exchange for three digital billboards along Interstate 5 and State Route 14 will be going before the City Council, thanks to a recommendation by the Planning Commission on Tuesday. The commission…
Admittedly, aside from a beautification prospective, the billboard issue was a topic I didn’t follow closely at first because of the old “no dog in the fight” thing. Then the floodgates opened with protests, signature gatherers, blockers, confrontations with shoppers at our stores and now a ballot measure to vote…
Since the beginning of cityhood in 1987, the city of Santa Clarita has been spending significant time and money addressing blight, with the goal of beautifying our City. The city’s very successful Graffiti Removal program, many new landscaped medians and side panels, the Urban Forestry (tree) program, city-wide recycling, thousands…
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LOL Perry, way to pick the worst billboard out there to show in your story to set the public on the right track to jump on Bob’s campaign. Maybe someone should do a story on WHY the billboards look like that at the moment. Could it be because [they] are just waiting it out? Most businesses wont continue to invest in a sinking ship. Nah, couldn’t be anything reasonable like that.
Where is the real story? Or is SCTV and KHTS to biased on the topic?
The Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will host a adults decorate a tote bag activity, 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, CA 91351.
The city of Santa Clarita, in partnership with Santa Clarita Sister Cities, invites local students to submit original artwork, poetry, essays/creative writing, photographs or music for the 2025 Young Artists and Authors Showcase.
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the release of the second episode of Santa Clarita Voices, the city’s official podcast that highlights the stories, experiences and conversations from city leaders, businesses and organizations.
Fritz Coleman’s show "Unassisted Living," in Residency at the El Oortal Monroe Forum in North Hollywood, will be performed on Sunday, Jan. 26 t0 benefit the California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund with 100% of all profits raised donated to the fund.
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a business meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 5 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 3 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau continues its dedicated efforts to locate individuals reported missing following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires.
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has unanimously approved the appointment of Jordan Meraz as the new Director of Technology Services.
The American Red Cross is offering financial assistance for families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Los Angeles County wildfires. Assistance available to those affected by Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Kenneth fires.
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have reported that containment efforts continue for all three activie fires still burning in Southern California.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has announced that charges have been filed against eight additional individuals in connection with eight alleged crimes committed during Los Angeles County’s devastating wildfires.
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board approved the appointment of Vince Ferry as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
California State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman have announced a rapid response effort to prevent and prosecute insurance fraud targeting wildfire survivors.
The Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps provides social services, including food, shelter, clothing and financial assistance. According to Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps Captain Rafael Viana, Officer in Charge, the organization has now focused its concentration on helping the specific needs of those affected in the Los Angeles area wildfires.
In partnership with DreamUp, three teams, one from SCVi in the Santa Clarita Valley and two from iLEAD Hybrid Exploration, have been selected to send experiments to the International Space Station.
The city of Santa Clarita and Green Santa Clarita will host a class on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9-10 a.m., regarding the importance of rainwater harvesting and proper installation and maintenance of rain barrels.
The Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will host a adults decorate a tote bag activity, 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, CA 91351.
Irit Specktor and the Studio K'tan Flamenco Dance Academy presents "Flamencommunity", a flamenco dance and music event, 8-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at the MAIN, 24266 Main Street Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
As a father of two young children, I understand how crucial it is to be an active and informed parent in today’s world. The challenges our kids face are more complex than ever and I believe it’s our responsibility to equip them with the tools they need to make healthy choices.
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5 Comments
I hope it doesn’t pass , seriously it completely downgrades the look of an area … We moved out here to get away from the city and the way it looks ..
SCVTV continues to follow the dictate of city hall with their biased presentation of the issue.
I hate the billboards. And the one pictured is very accurate for my area.
LOL Perry, way to pick the worst billboard out there to show in your story to set the public on the right track to jump on Bob’s campaign. Maybe someone should do a story on WHY the billboards look like that at the moment. Could it be because [they] are just waiting it out? Most businesses wont continue to invest in a sinking ship. Nah, couldn’t be anything reasonable like that.
Where is the real story? Or is SCTV and KHTS to biased on the topic?
We’re far too busy to waste much time thinking about it. We just walk out our door over here at SCVTV and shoot a photo of the nearest billboard.