A reader asks:

I am curious of how other billboard companies deal with City planted trees in the boulevard that impact the view of a billboard.   I know in ___________ on state regulated highways there is an ordinance that prohibits this activity, but inside city limits on city streets and roads that are not state regulated, I am not sure what can be done. Do you have any experience with this type of problem?  Would you want to put the question out there in Billboard Insider to see if any other company has some advice that has dealt with a similar issue?

Meadow Outdoor took a proactive and cooperative approach to solve this problem in Ontario, Oregon.  Meadow paid for the removal of old and dying ash trees along a road in Ontario and replaced the trees with columar oak trees.  The city got new, healthy, low-maintenance trees.  Meadow preserved sign views.  We’ll write more about Meadow’s approach tomorrow.

Insider asked the OAAA’s Kerry Yoakum about the issue and he said this.

Unfortunately the courts don’t generally rule in the industry’s favor.  The legal argument is that a permit is in essence a right to be seen.  Typically, courts  don’t like this argument as it is granting the out of home company a view easement without compensating the city that owns the property on which the trees sit.  Here are some links to legal cases where the out of home industry prevailed in Georgia and lost in California and North Carolina.

How have you handled tree issues with a city?   Let Insider know using the form below.

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