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Citizens for a Scenic Florida, Inc.'s October 28, 2009 letter to FDOT on proposed I-75 Pilot Project. 

Citizens for a Scenic Florida has submitted its comments on the Florida Department of Transportation's proposed pilot for I-75. Scenic Florida opposes the addition of tri-visions in nonconforming locations along the I-75 corridor, and requests other changes to the draft pilot project including a sunset provision for new steel billboard structures that might be switched out for old wooden structures.

Click Here To View The Letter

40 STORY Digital Billboards Coming to Miami

Mayor and Council Rush Approval - Are They Legal?

With virtually no discussion, the Miami City Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a developer's controversial plan to erect a pair of skyscraper-size electronic advertising towers next to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, leaving unaddressed questions about the project's legality and its impact on the adjacent Omni and Venetian Island areas.

Before the 5-0 vote, however, Commission Chairman Marc Sarnoff obtained some concessions from developer Mark Siffin, who agreed to contribute $8 million toward the construction of the nearby planned Museum Park. Siffin also agreed to a slightly higher annual permit fee than initially contemplated -- a total of $2.2 million, according to Sarnoff. But other commissioners fended off Sarnoff's attempt to increase the fee significantly.

Siffin also agreed to a slightly higher annual permit fee than initially contemplated -- a total of $2.2 million, according to Sarnoff. But other commissioners fended off Sarnoff's attempt to increase the fee significantly.

Critics of the deal -- hammered out in private by Mayor Tomás Regalado and city staff and put on a fast track to commission approval with little formal public review outside of Thursday's meeting -- say the fee is too low because the signs are expected to generate tens of million of dollars for Siffin.

A second and final vote was scheduled for July 29, though that now appears a legal formality.

Commissioners did not delve into questions about the legality of the proposed ad towers, which appear to contravene federal, state and county laws that sharply limit the size, use and location of commercial signs. A state regulator has said the signs -- which would rise as high as 40 stories atop a parking garage Siffin proposes to build -- would 'far exceed' those limits.

When Commissioner Richard Dunn asked City Attorney Julie Bru her view of the signs' legality, she responded, 'I can't tell you.'' Bru added that Siffin would be required to ensure they are legal, ending the commission's discussion of the subject.

Siffin and his lawyers -- who the city allowed to design the special ordinances and the permitting process for the towers -- argue that they need no other authorization than the city's to build.

Commissioners brushed aside concerns from some residents, primarily from the nearby Venetian Islands, that the giant signs -- which will show animated, flashing LED images -- would disturb their quality of life..."

-- by Andres Viglucci and Patricia Mazzei - Miami Herald