first initiative is to prevent digital billboards in the city of knoxville

something for sevier county to think about

published: February 13 2008 04:56 PM updated:: February 13 2008 05:58 PM

A group of concerned Knoxville residents have formed a new non-profit organization to protect and enhance Knoxville’s scenic beauty. Scenic Knoxville, the first local chapter of
the statewide organization Scenic Tennessee, recently elected its initial slate of officers and has begun a membership drive.
The organization’s first challenge is to prevent digital billboards in the City of Knoxville. These super-sized, flashing, scrolling billboards have been called “‘PowerPoint on a Stick” by opponents, and their impact on driver safety has been a key factor in banning the signs in other communities across the nation. The question of whether digital billboards will be allowed in the City of Knoxville will be voted on by the Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission on February 14, 2008 and by Knoxville City Council on March 11, 2008.
Scenic Knoxville’s organizers believe the area’s natural scenic resources deserve protection and that an organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the city’s scenic vistas and byways is greatly needed.
President Duane Grieve, a local architect with an interest in protecting scenic resources, said, “We must look to the future and establish some guidelines to preserve and enhance the irreplaceable natural beauty that surrounds us before it is gone forever. Future generations deserve to enjoy what we have always taken for granted.”
Besides Grieve, the initial Board of Directors includes civic-minded individuals who are active in their communities such as Lisa Starbuck, Vice President; Joyce Feld, Secretary; Maureen Dunn, Treasurer; Brenda Cunningham, Jim deRopp, Marsha Grieve, Julie Webb and Gene Burr, a past president of Scenic Tennessee.
Future interests and activities for the group include working to develop a comprehensive ridge protection ordinance, advocating for sustainable land use policies and environmentally sound practices, advancing historic preservation of scenic landmarks, and supporting appropriate state and local legislative initiatives such as implementing billboard and signage control measures.
To support Scenic Knoxville and Scenic Tennessee and begin receiving the quarterly newsletter, send $20 annual dues to Scenic Tennessee, P.O. Box 12174, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Individuals from surrounding counties are welcome.
To learn more about this grassroots effort, visit http://www.scenicknoxville.org , http://www.scenictennessee.org, and http://www.scenic.org .

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User Comments

#1 tn driver commented, on February 14, 2008 at 5:17 p.m.:

i think lamar advertising should be run out of this area. they can cause more wrecks than anything out there. in some states if a bilboard causes a wreck you can sue the company who is advertising on it. i say we vote NO to run this kind of stuff out of here......

#2 Agree 100% commented, on February 14, 2008 at 8:40 p.m.:

I agree totaly, even the old plain billboards are an eyesore and constitute a dangerous distraction when driving. These new digital things are eye candy and can't be ignored. Lamar Advertising deserves to be run out of the state. The problem is that they have alot of political pull by virtue of all their campaign contributions (some call them bribes.) Sevier County is hopeless in regulating these things. The commissioners voted them in before anybody even knew what was happening. Sevier County's Hwy. 66 is like a billboard ranch. The general population in Sevier County isn't educated enough to even address this issue. There is still hope for Knox County. Scenic America has alot of info on it's web site about the billboard industry.

#3 just me commented, on February 14, 2008 at 10:53 p.m.:

I say if you sue their pants off everytime there is a wreck anywhere near one of their signs, they might get the message

#4 Distracted Drivers commented, on February 15, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.:

According to the American Outdoor Advertising Association 70% of drivers will glance at advertising and 60% will read it.

#5 o no commented, on February 18, 2008 at 8:04 a.m.:

i hear they have plans for a sign at chapman at mcdonalds

#6 mom commented, on February 18, 2008 at 10:33 a.m.:

I hate billboards...they are just ugly