BILL NUMBER: S5441         REVISED MEMO 01/24/2018

SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the administrative code of the city of
New York, in relation to the declaration of a sign as a public nuisance

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To remove billboards that have been found to violate the New York zoning
resolution, as well as the structures attached to them.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends Section 28-503.1 of the administrative code of the
City of New York, as added by local law number 33 of the City of New
York for the year 2007 to provide that the Buildings Commissioner shall
order the removal of the illegal sign and its sign structure, if appli-
cable.

Section 2: Provides the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Advertisements on billboards throughout New York City have been removed,
following stricter enforcement of a 1940 law restricting ads within 200
feet of the City's main highways. However, while the advertisements have
been removed, the blank billboards and their stanchions remain. This
causes a serious quality of life issue for New York City residents, as
these blank billboards have become magnets for graffiti.

The billboards also create a safety issue for New Yorkers. In 2012, a
billboard next to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway fell onto the highway,
as well as three auto repair shops below. Although this incident did not
injure any drivers or pedestrians, it serves to highlight the dangers of
such large signs.

Current law allows the commissioner to order the removal of the signs
after notice and a hearing. This bill would make the removal of the sign
and stanchion mandatory after notice and hearing.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017: S.5441- Died on Third Reading / A.707- Referred to Cities
2016: S.4419- Referred to Cities / A.3634 -Referred to Cities
2015: S.4419- 3rd Reading Calendar / A.3634- Referred to Cities

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.