Billboard company wants to light up Hobart

A representative of a billboard company said adding a LED billboard along U.S. 30 would help keep up with the times, but at least one commissioner expressed concern that doing so would set a precedent that could eventually turn Hobart into "Las Vegas, Ind."Matt Felder, a representative of View Outdoor advertising, came before the Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday asking for a variance that would allow him to convert a billboard off the northeast corner of Colorado Street and U.S. 30 to an LED video display. The LED display would be on the east-facing side of the billboard to take advantage of westbound traffic heading for Westfield Southlake Mall and Interstate 65. The billboard currently is a "triface billboard" that rotates to show three separate advertisements.The sign would show a static image for 10 seconds before changing to a new image, Felder said. There would be no motion or flashing on the sign, and the light emanating from the sign would vary based on whether it was daytime or nighttime, Felder said.The LED billboard would allow advertisers to change their advertisements on a daily basis if they wished, Felder said, since everything associated with the sign is computerized.The city currently has no LED billboards, said City Planner Sergio Mendoza, although several businesses have LED signs they use to advertise for their own tenants.But at least one commissioner expressed doubts about the sign."I don't want Hobart to become Las Vegas, Ind.," Greg Lollis said.The board set the issue for public hearing in September. The Plan Commission must also decide whether to approve the sign.

Source: NWI.COM BY CARRIE RODOVICHA