City council passes code that bans digital billboards | Politics

The Tacoma City Council has approved a new city code that bans digital billboards and requires the removal of existing non-confirming billboards.

The council, with a 7-to-1 vote, passed the measure on Tuesday. One council member was absent.

The decision is the latest development in that more than decade-old battle between the city of Tacoma and media giant Clear Channel Outdoor.

The fight began in 1997 when the council enacted an ordinance requiring "non-compliant" signs to be phased out over the following 10 years. The media company had until August 2007 to remove the non-compliant billboards. But when 2007 came, Clear Channel, instead of removing the billboards, filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming it was forced to enter litigation to protect its constitutional rights.

The city of Tacoma last year entered a preliminary settlement agreement under which Clear Channel could begin installing digital billboards in exchange for the removal of a certain number of existing billboards with each sign.

But following a public outcry over the issue, the city council made the decision against Clear Channel.

It is worth noting that digital billboards are known to be immensely profitable.The billboards, however, face fierce opposition from people who say they are ugly, distracting and dangerous.

All non-conforming billboards must be taken down by March of next year.