"It's definitely at night. I've never noticed it during the day."
People who live in the quaint neighborhoods surrounding Vine Street at Callowhill in Old City are talking about a luminous electronic billboard.
"It's just been kind of a nuisance."
During the day it's no problem but Sean Walsh says it's a different story at night.
"Some of the rooms we don't have blinds in just kind of light up every 10 to 15 seconds with different colors and it gets kind of annoying at night," says Walsh. He lives at the corner of Wood and Lawrence Street near the 20 by 50 feet billboard. It's a block over on top of a storage building on North Fourth street. The once once clear view from his terrace and bedroom is now just a glow.
"If the lights are off, it's kind of annoying to sleep in to be honest."
Mary Tracy is Executive Director of the organization Scenic Philadelphia. She says there was never a public hearing or public notice. Her organization is taking on the billboard's owner. She says the company does have a permit from the city but she questions if the location is legal.
"How could this be? It's in an area where billboards are totally prohibited and no new construction is allowed and no changes to the existing billboards are allowed," argues Tracy. She's going before the Zoning Board Wednesday during a hearing on the issue. If the billboard doesn't come down, she wants the owner to at least tone it down.
"It certainly shouldn't be on rooftops and viewed from people's homes. It's a real intrusion into your living room," says Tracy.
The hearing is at 2 o'clock Wednesday at 1401 JFKjfk boulevard in Center City. It's open to the public. Fox 29 called Keystone Outdoor, the advertising company that owns the billboard. We're waiting to hear back from them.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:47:08 GMT
"They just keep buying time. It's 60 days here and 60 days there. It's a small victory," said Brian Hathaway. He's one of hundreds of residents who left a meeting at Garnett Valley Middle School hesitant
Neighbors say developer that withdrew application to build is a stall tactic.
Friday, May 10 2013 7:37 AM EDT2013-05-10 11:37:01 GMT
Gregg Wolfe, like most parents, always thought he would look back on precious moments, like receiving Father's Day cards, with a smile. But instead he's fighting back tears.
Gregg Wolfe, like most parents, always thought he would look back on precious moments, like receiving Father's Day cards, with a smile. But instead he's fighting back tears.
Friday, May 10 2013 7:16 AM EDT2013-05-10 11:16:07 GMT
Heroin is killing young people at an alarming rate. And, parents, you think you'd recognize the signs. See what two grieving families missed until it was too late.
Heroin is killing young people at an alarming rate. And, parents, you think you'd recognize the signs. See what two grieving families missed until it was too late.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
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