Dear Judge Spiros Angelos,

Haverford Township residents strongly oppose the building of BIG billboards in our residential neighborhoods. A billboard proposal hearing you are scheduled to preside over on January 21, 2020 will decide the future character and landscape of Haverford Township neighborhoods.

Your decision will set a precedent that will affect every township and municipality in the state. Haverford Township homeowners, residents and voters are asking that you please deny the request outright, returning the decision to the Haverford Township Zoning Hearing Board.

Here's why:

ZONING: Haverford Township has existing Code governing the construction and location of billboards. We are requesting that you accept the careful judgement of the Haverford Township Zoning Board on this issue.

SAFETY: The proposed location on Lancaster Avenue is already well-known as a traffic hazard area. Both Haverford and Lower Merion Police recognize that it is a place for traffic accidents of all kinds. It is heavily congested, busy at all hours and has a number of businesses that have cars regularly changing lanes of traffic. It has heavy pedestrian traffic: students cross at this intersection as do patrons of the many existing businesses. There are also blind residents who regularly use the intersection. If the distraction of big billboards are added to this already dangerous mix, it is a foregone conclusion that there will be more traffic accidents and the potential for fatalities there.

BLIGHT: This area is a part of a wonderful and vibrant residential community that demonstrates what a culturally diverse community can be. Billboards have been shown to degrade the character of a neighborhood: they are a sign of a neighborhood that is on a downward path. Big billboards will darken the windows of the neighboring homes, be seen from the neighborhood parks and generally change the quality of life for everyone who lives nearby. They will result in the reduction of property values for the many families who live in this neighborhood. Instead of making Lancaster Avenue an attractive retail corridor, they will undermine efforts not only in Haverford but in surrounding communities like Ardmore to make Lancaster Avenue an appealing destination.

NO NEW REVENUE: No financial gain to Haverford Township and/or residents will be generated by the big new billboards (no additional property tax or other revenue).

As a 26-year homeowner whose house would be beneath the glaring bright lights of the new big billboards, I am asking for your kind deference of the proposed construction to my Haverford Township government.

There is only one right decision to protect communities across Pennsylvania.

Thank you,

Gail Lovett