Public Comments Received
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NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING 16 W. Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1030 March 5, 2020 Jamille Robbins NC Department of Transportation– Environmental Analysis Unit 1598 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1598 Submitted via email: [email protected] Re: Modernization of outdoor advertising rules 19A NCAC 02E .0225 To the NC Department of Transportation, We are North Carolina legislators who care about the scenic beauty of our state and We are writing to oppose the proposed changes to the modernization of outdoor advertising rules (19A NCAC 02E .0225) that would limit local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance. Instead, we support the considered “Alternative 2” described in the agency’s March 1, 2019, fiscal note. Alternative 2 would recognize local government ordinances and limit the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. Alternative 2 as described in the fiscal note: “The second alternate is to further limit activities that industry could do as part of modernization. An example includes restricting companies to modernize from static to digital faces. Some local governments have more stringent rules associated with outdoor advertising regulations including moratoriums on allowing digital billboards. NCDOT considered excluding digital faces as part of modernization. NCDOT chose not to make this exclusion since the state already allows digital billboards and that industry should be allowed to accommodate for technology enhancements.” We wish to protect the ability of local communities to control billboards, especially taller, digitized billboards that impact the scenic beauty of North Carolina and can be a distraction to drivers. Thank you, Sen. Kirk deViere Rep. Becky Carney Sen. Valerie Foushee Rep. Christy Clark Sen. Michael Garrett Rep. Terence Everitt Sen. Natasha R. Marcus Rep. Susan C. Fisher Sen. Wiley Nickel Rep. Wesley Harris Sen. Harper Peterson Rep. Pricey Harrison Sen. Gladys A. Robinson Rep. Zack Hawkins Sen. Sam Searcy Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley Sen. Terry Van Duyn Rep. Rachel Hunt Sen. Mike Woodard Rep. Verla Insko Rep. Gale Adcock Rep. Brandon Lofton Rep. John Ager Rep. Grier Martin Rep. John Autry Rep. Graig R. Meyer Rep. Cynthia Ball Rep. Marcia Morey Rep. Mary Belk Rep. Joe Sam Queen Rep. Scott T. Brewer Rep. Robert T. Reives Rep. Deb Butler Rep. Julie von Haefen From: Adrian Fletcher To: NCDOT Service Account - Rulemaking Subject: [External] OPPOSING BILLBOAD RULE CHANGE Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020 8:01:20 AM CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected] I oppose the rule change that would override local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance, AND support “Alternative 2” described on page 6 of the NCDOT Fiscal Note to recognize local government ordinances and limit the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. From: Adrian Smith ([email protected]) Sent You a Personal Message To: Robbins, Jamille A Subject: [External] Please revise proposed digital billboard rule Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 9:46:03 PM CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Dear NCDOT Environmental Analysis Unit, I oppose the 19A NCAC 02E .0225 rule change that would override local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance. I support the considered, but not chosen, ?Alternative 2? described in the agency?s fiscal note. Alternative 2 would recognize local government ordinances and limit the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. I dislike that the proposed rules would restrict the ability of local communities to control billboards and open the door to taller, digitized billboards. Sincerely, Adrian Smith PO Box 265 Moncure, NC 27559 [email protected] (919) 542-3807 This message was sent by KnowWho, as a service provider, on behalf of an individual associated with Sierra Club. If you need more information, please contact Lillian Miller at Sierra Club at [email protected] or (415) 977- 5500. From: Agnes Crews To: NCDOT Service Account - Rulemaking Subject: [External] Opposed to Digitized 50 ft high billboards Date: Friday, February 28, 2020 11:53:59 AM CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> You must not allow state permits to override local and city ordinances that limit digitized billboards and their heights. Thank you, Aggie Crews Chapel Hill, NC From: A M To: NCDOT Service Account - Rulemaking Subject: [External] Comments on NCDOT Rule Change for Billboards Date: Friday, February 28, 2020 11:26:00 AM CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected] To Whom it May Concern: Please accept my comment son the following changes to NCGS 136-131.2 Ioppose the rule change that would override local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance. I support “Alternative 2” described on page 6 of the NCDOT Fiscal Note to recognize local government ordinances and limit the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. Respectfully, Alejandro M From: Allison Chrestensen To: NCDOT Service Account - Rulemaking Subject: [External] Billboard rule change Date: Friday, February 28, 2020 1:36:27 PM CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected] Hello, I am writing to oppose the rule change that would override local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height. Digital billboards pose a significant roadway hazard by diverting drivers' attention away from the roadway. Given the hazards we already face due to distraction from smart phones, digital car interfaces, and other sources, we simply cannot afford to contribute further to the danger. In addition, taller and more brightly lit billboards contribute to light pollution and detract from the natural landscape, which makes our NC roadways attractive to tourists and pleasant to drive. I support “Alternative 2” described on page 6 of the NCDOT Fiscal Note, which recognizes local government ordinances and limits the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. Thank you for your consideration, Allison Chrestensen Durham, NC From: Robbins, Jamille A To: Jernigan, Hannah Cc: Landi, Helen E; Putnam, Lauren N Subject: FW: [External] Please revise proposed digital billboard rule Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 8:10:50 AM -----Original Message----- From: Alison Woomert ([email protected]) Sent You a Personal Message <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 8:06 AM To: Robbins, Jamille A <[email protected]> Subject: [External] Please revise proposed digital billboard rule CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Dear NCDOT Environmental Analysis Unit, NC is beautiful and it?s good for our souls to be able to see our state?s natural beauty without interruption of digitized billboards. I oppose the 19A NCAC 02E .0225 rule change that would override local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance. I support the considered, but not chosen, ?Alternative 2? described in the agency?s fiscal note. Alternative 2 would recognize local government ordinances and limit the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. I dislike that the proposed rules would restrict the ability of local communities to control billboards and open the door to taller, digitized billboards. Sincerely, Alison Woomert 2604 Jefferson Choice Chapel Hill, NC 27516 [email protected] (919) 967-6513 This message was sent by KnowWho, as a service provider, on behalf of an individual associated with N.C. Sierra Club. If you need more information, please contact Margaret Lillard at N.C. Sierra Club at [email protected] or (919) 833-8467. ________________________________ Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. From: Andrea Snyder ([email protected]) Sent You a Personal Message To: Robbins, Jamille A Subject: [External] Please revise proposed digital billboard rule Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 12:29:39 PM CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Dear NCDOT Environmental Analysis Unit, I oppose the 19A NCAC 02E .0225 rule change that would override local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance.