The San Jose City Council has instructed the Airport Commission (for a second time) to review the proposal to allow digital billboards at the San Jose Airport near the Guadalupe River. Though the Commission’s vote is only advisory, a second NO vote by the Airport Commissioners would hopefully help convince the City Council to abandon billboards at the Airport and to reconsider the entire plan to allow 22 or more digital billboards on public property.
Unfortunately the Airport staff is still pushing their narrative in favor of billboards, and wants the Commission to support their recommendation. Your many emails and live comments during the last Airport Commission meeting helped them understand why digital billboards at the Airport are a bad idea. They need to hear from you again. You can weigh in prior to the meeting or during the meeting. Details for each option are listed below.
Why This is Important
Digital billboards attract attention, distract drivers and are thus hazardous. Installing them at the airport at the 101/87 interchange puts the public at risk. This proposal runs counter to the city’s Vision Zero policy to eliminate traffic fatalities.
Light pollution is unhealthy for humans and the environment, and interferes with bird migration. The airport billboards proposed adjacent to the Guadalupe River will negatively impact wildlife and the ecosystem.
The work of the Lick observatory, one of the most respected scientific institution in the known universe, will be disrupted.
In allowing these first digital billboards at the airport, San Jose may be opening the floodgates for dozens of additional billboards along the freeways.
Waste of energy - Although LEDs by themselves may be energy efficient, these massive billboards require constant cooling and computer systems to operate continuously, and would be giant symbols of disregard for the City’s Climate Smart and Carbon Neutral 2030 policies.
What You Can Do
Email the airport commissioners
To: AirportCom1@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom2@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom4@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom6@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom7@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom8@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom9@sanjoseca.gov, AirportCom10@sanjoseca.gov, AirportComCW@sanjoseca.gov, mkazmierczak@sjc.org
Subject: My Opposition to Electronic Billboards at the airport
Email:
(Please say a little about yourself). I oppose the installation of electronic billboards on airport property or anywhere in San Jose. (Please explain in a sentence or two why you are opposed). I encourage the Airport Commission to reject this proposal again and send a clear message to the City Council that the community wants a healthy, safe environment and no electronic billboards.
Participate in the virtual meeting
When: This Wednesday, January 26, starting at 6pm.
Join by Zoom here
Join by phone: (408) 638-0968, Webinar ID: 958 5104 4793
Thank you,
Shani Kleinhaus
Environmental Advocate