SCRUB
1315 Walnut Street
Suite 1605
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.731.1796
scrub@urbanblight.org

Current Legal Challenges

The following is a list of properties whose owners are seeking billboard variances, which are in various stages of the legal proceedings.  The process for getting a variance starts with a hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which has the power to grant or deny the variance.  After the ZBA makes its ruling, the decision can then be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas.  From there an appeal can be filed with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.  Once that court has ruled, it may then be appealed to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

	Address:	Date:
SC	2275 Bridge Street (Frankford Arsenal)	Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied Petition for Allowance of Appeal on June 19, 2006, thus confirming the ruling in favor of SCRUB
CC	7164 Wissinoming	Victory at Common Pleas Court - Waiting for removal of sign.
ZBA	417 N. 7th Street	City removed wallwrap on March 7, 2005. Owner applied for a new variance after losing first appeal to United States Supreme Court. Final hearing held on August 16, 2006. Currently awaiting the decision of the Zoning Board.
CC	2600R Penrose Ferry Road	Commonwealth Court heard oral arguments on Feb. 27th.  En Banc Court reheard oral arguments on June 7, 2006. No decision made.
CP	411-419 N. 9th Street (Willow Street Steam Plant)	On April 19th, 2006, Common Pleas Court Judge Dych denied appeal of applicant seeking variance for 7 wallwraps. Applicant has withdrawn appeal to Commonwealth Court so the decision stands.
MC	FDR Park	Waiting for removal order since May of 2004 when law department requested continuance of case being heard by Judge Blasi.
ZBA	PNE Media 908 8-Sheet Billboards	On Sept. 29, 2005, ZBA granted 60-day continuance and ordered removal of all illegal signs or file application for zoning variance for each sign. The City's Law Department is currently negotiating the removal of these billboards.
CC	3800 City Avenue	ZBA granted variance. SCRUB appealed to Court of Common Pleas. Oral arguments heard on July 12, 2006 and Judge Glazer reversed the Zoning Board's approval, but denied three community groups standing based on Act 193.
ZBA	25 Pattison Avenue	Waiting for law department to bring the matter to Equity Court for removal enforcement since September 26th, 2001. In the meantime owner has requested a hearing for a new variance and Judge Ester Sylvester remanded this request to the ZBA on constitutional issues. ZBA hearing to be announced.
ZBA	3610 S. Front Street	Four ZBA hearings have been held. On June 28, 2006, Keystone completed its testimony and SCRUB presented its arguments on August 9. A final hearing was held on September 6. Awaiting decision.
ZBA	6601 New State Road	Waiting for removal order since October of 2002. Remanded to the ZBA from Commonwealth Court on constitutional issues. ZBA hearing to be announced.
ZBA	339 N. Broad Street	No Date Scheduled - continued from March 4, 2004 Calendar No. 03-0811. (Billboard in parking lot)
ZBA	249 N. 13th Street	No Date Scheduled - continued from Feb. 26, 2004 Calendar No. 03-0810. (Billboard in parking lot)
ZBA	151-63 N. 15th Street	No Date Scheduled - continued from Feb. 19, 2004 Calendar No. 03-0272. (Billboard in parking lot)
ZBA	7405 Oxford Avenue	No Date Scheduled - continued from Feb. 5, 2004 Calendar No. 03-1654
CP	7033/49 Frankford Avenue	Common Pleas Court Judge Glazer denied Clear Channel's appeal on March 22nd. Clear Channel has appealed to the Commonwealth Court.