2nd electronic billboard approved in Tarentum

A second mega-sized electronic billboard is expected to go up in Tarentum by the end of the year.

Council on Tuesday approved a request by Weleski Transfer, a longtime business on West Fourth Avenue, for a billboard 14 feet tall by 48 feet wide — similar to the one that was erected in June near the Tarentum Bridge. The approval is contingent on Weleski securing state permits.

“We are thankful, and we want to work with the town,” owner Gary Weleski said.

The approval comes on the heels of an initial denial by council and a public hearing in September.

Code enforcement officer Anthony Bruni said the proposal originally was denied because only static billboards are permitted in that zoning district. In addition, the billboard is larger than the allowable square footage in West Tarentum.

However, the borough is in the process of updating regulations, and Solicitor Eric Dee said the new zoning ordinance, if approved, would allow billboards in that area.

Weleski said construction on the project is expected to start within the next two months.

“We are aiming to have it up by the end of the year,” he said.

As proposed, it will rise 70 feet above the company’s offices. It will be double-sided, and the space will advertise local and national businesses. There will be 10 ads displayed per minute on each side.

Weleski said he will work with the borough to advertise neighborhood news, such as firemen’s festivals or crime alerts.

“We’re open to putting blurbs on there and helping them out,” he said.

Buddy Swisshelm of Digital Signs and Marketing said the billboard will sit 325 feet from the closest one, which meets state guidelines. He also said the company will follow local and state rules on motion and brightness of the ads.

Despite early objections by some residents, no one spoke against the billboard at Tuesday’s council meeting.

The billboard that was installed earlier this summer came after a four-year legal battle between the borough and Oliver Outdoor, which ended with the borough losing in Commonwealth Court.