Keeping Freeways Free of Blight

Anaheim is a city that likes to be first. That’s a commendable goal--in some things. But it would be no distinction at all if Anaheim repealed a ban enacted about 20 years ago and became the first city in Orange County to allow billboards to be located along the city’s freeways.

The desire of some City Council members to open the Santa Ana, Riverside and Orange freeways to billboard blight to satisfy the outdoor advertising companies may be understandable from a political point of view. What’s harder to understand is why Anaheim residents would allow such an environmental invasion of their freeway routes without raising more objections than they have thus far.

The city staff has steadfastly recommended against easing the existing regulations and opening the freeways to the billboards. And with good reason.

Sound planning and a sense of ecological responsibility dictate that billboards, while perfectly fine in places such as industrial areas and inner-city streets where they are now located, should not be allowed along the freeways. It makes no sense to replace the existing open space with environmental eyesores that would pop into a motorist’s view every few seconds. The billboards were removed from the freeways back in the 1960s as part of a national beautification effort. The reason for keeping them away from the freeways is as valid today as it was then.

But the Anaheim City Council can’t seem to leave well enough alone. In 1984 the City Council did finally reject an effort by outdoor advertising companies that wanted the city to lift its freeway billboard ban. That was the proper decision, arrived at, no doubt, because of some of the opposition raised by some residents and business firms, including Disneyland.

The issue was considered dead in 1984. It doesn’t deserve new life, now. It ought to be rejected--and put to rest for good.