LA Metro - Transportation Communication Network

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Digital Signs

The Los Angeles City Council has directed Los Angeles City Planning to prepare an ordinance to amend the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to allow the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) to implement a Transportation Communication Network (TCN) (CF 22-0392). Metro is proposing to erect digital display signs on up to 49 Metro-owned parcels throughout the City that are adjacent to certain freeways and major streets as part of its TCN program. Los Angeles City Planning has prepared two draft ordinances to authorize this program. The proposed ordinances, known as the Metro TCN Ordinance (ordinance), will create a new Supplemental Use District (SUD) and include a Zone Change to apply the TCN SUD and its regulations to specific parcels owned by Metro.

The Metro TCN project would incorporate digital display signs, up to two per structure, that would provide real-time traffic and transit information, display Metro service alerts, public emergency messaging, and permit off-site advertising. Revenue from off-site advertising would support local transportation projects in the City.

The City entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Metro in early 2022 to share any revenue generated from the off-site advertising on these signs for 20 years. This agreement (C-139852), negotiated by City’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the direction of City Council, outlines how the shared revenue will be allocated and puts restrictions on how and where these funds may be spent by the City. The funds will be overseen by the City’s Department of Transportation.

Together the two proposed Metro TCN Ordinances’ regulations include specific operational standards, location restrictions, and maintenance requirements for the sign structures and digital displays. The Ordinances also incorporates a required program for the removal of existing static off-site signs and billboards both on Metro-owned property and private property resulting in a net reduction in off-site signage within the City. The draft ordinance and a fact sheet are now available, and public comment may be submitted to the City Planning contact below.

Contact Information

City Planning Contact
Terri Osborne
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 701
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 482-7084
terri.osborne@lacity.org

Metro Contact
metro.net/tcn
tcn@metro.net

Staff Recommendation Report now available (See Resources Tab)

  • The proposed Ordinances will include the following provisions:
  • Creation of a new Supplemental Use District (SUD) called the “Transportation Communication Network (TCN)” SUD to regulate the installation and operation of the Metro TCN program on non-contiguous parcels owned by Metro
  • Identification of the Metro owned parcels that will be included in the TCN SUD
  • Process and procedures for permitting the structures
  • Development standards based on the type of roadway the TCN structures are proposed for
  • Limitations on the operations of the digital displays including limits to the hours of operation
  • Impose illumination standards to prevent light spillage into neighboring properties
  • Monitoring program to ensure consistent and safe operations of the digital displays
  • A sign reduction program aimed at reducing static off-site signs throughout the City that proposes:
    • Removal of 200 off-site signs on Metro owned lots
    • Removal of existing static off-site signs on private property within a defined radius around each proposed TCN sign structure along major streets in the City.

The following maps show the proposed locations for TCN sign structures. The Citywide Map shows all the proposed locations. Subsequent maps show the proposed locations within a given section of the City. Note that the TCN project does not propose locations in all sections of the City.

Citywide Map
Central Los Angeles
South San Fernando Valley
Northeast San Fernando Valley
West Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
Northeast Los Angeles

The following document lists all of the Assessor Parcels Number (APN) for the properties where Metro is proposing TCN structures. The Department’s online mapping webpage, zimas.lacity.org, can be utilized to search for sites by APN to see exact locations.

List TCN Locations by APN

The proposed TCN project, including the proposed Zoning Code amendment and Zone Change, were analyzed in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that was completed by Metro in 2022. The Final EIR was adopted by the Metro Board of Directors on January 26, 2023. The proposed TCN project and the Final EIR must still be considered and adopted by the City Council, as part of its consideration of the Zone Change and Code Amendment, before the project may proceed. The Final EIR and associated documents may be accessed below.

Final EIR
Draft EIR
Metro Board Report

City Planning Commission - Hearing Notice

Public Hearing Notice

 

Initial Draft Ordinance - June 2023
Revised Draft Ordinance - September 2023
Staff Recommendation Report
Public Hearing Presentation
Metro Project Website
City - Metro : Memorandum of Agreement
Council File 22-0392
Fact Sheet - June 2023

Revised Draft Ordinance
 

Click here to access the latest draft of the Metro TCN Ordinance. The draft ordinance outlines the procedures, regulations, and locations of the proposed Metro TCN project.

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