DENVILLE − An anxious community packed a Denville Zoning Board meeting Wednesday night to hear an application for a 90-foot-tall digital billboard that some Indian Lake residents fear will damage their views, cause light pollution, pose health hazards and lower property values.
The large turnout followed a letter circulated by Beth Tecchio, president of the Indian Lake Community Club, to advise club members of the meeting. The letter included initial details of the proposal by Outfront Media to erect the electronic billboard on property owned by the Denville Fire Department Association at 4 Indian Road, from where it would be visible to eastbound motorists on an elevated portion of Route 80.
Tuesday night, the audience heard further details as the national company's New Jersey general manager, John Antal, said they already had state permits to erect the sign, but would need a D-1 use variance in what is designated as a B-3 zone permitting "businesses of a retail sales and service type and for use of office buildings for professional and business."
Most of what was heard did not go down well with the crowd, which Board Chairman Ed Moroney had to frequently admonish for shouting. Several dozen people stepped up during the public session, but were frustrated when they were limited to specific questions about specific testimony heard at the meeting.
Many were angry to hear their prepared questions would have to wait until the next board meeting, when the application will continue with testimony from the Outfront Media engineer. That testimony is expected to include details of the board's operation, its power requirements, light output and other technical issues.
Several more speakers were cut off when they chose instead to voice opposition to the application
"I want to know what we, the people, can do to stop this," Leslie Pessemier asked.
Antal said they had a lease agreement with the association, a private, nonprofit, non-municipal entity that serves as the fundraising arm of the Denville Volunteer Fire Department. A static sign on the opposite side of the 14-by-48-foot digital billboard would be available as a static sign for the association.
"In my territory in New Jersey, we operate over 3,500 displays and of that, 105 of them are digital billboards similar to the one in our application," Antal said.
Four of those billboards are located in Denville - two on Route 10 and facing Route 46.
The location chosen for their latest billboard, he said, was based on its availability and proximity to the interstate highway, which was closed down in both directions that same night due to another sinkhole discovery, flooding Denville with a high volume of motorists seeking alternative routes.
The new billboard would operate in the same manner as the other Denville billboards, with fixed electronic images rotating every eight seconds, along with public service and emergency announcements as needed and local bulletins when time allowed.
Moving images such as video or flashing lights are not permitted by law, Antal said. A variety of advertising would be permitted, including political topics and ads for online gambling. But the company abides by state restrictions including illegal activities and cannabis dispensaries.
Due to scheduling conflicts, the engineering testimony was moved to the board's meeting on June 4. Moroney said a final public comment period would follow the completed testimony, during which time residents can voice their opinions prior to a final vote.
Moroney said he wasn't sure when that final vote would be, but it was "a good bet" that a third meeting would be needed before the application is settled.
The audience included former Denville Mayor and Planning Board member Ted Hussa.
"I think it's too much for a country lake community, which has four of these billboards already," Hussa said after the meeting. "And all these people are going to be affected by the light. It's just too much."