In 1993, the city of Pomona, California, passed Proposition L, a ballot initiative that prohibited the construction of new billboards within city limits. The initiative was passed in response to public concerns about the visual blight of billboards and their negative impact on property values.
However, there were already a number of billboards in Pomona at the time, and some of these billboards were located on land that was leased from the city. In 2014, the city council voted to extend the leases on these billboards for an additional 12 years.
This decision was challenged by a group of residents called Citizens for Amending Proposition L. The group argued that the extension of the leases violated Proposition L, which prohibited new billboards.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed in 2014, and it has been ongoing ever since. In 2018, the California Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Citizens for Amending Proposition L, finding that the extension of the leases was indeed a violation of the initiative.
The city of Pomona appealed the ruling to the California Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. This means that the Court of Appeal’s ruling is now final.
The Current Status of the Lawsuit
As of October 2023, the city of Pomona has still not removed the billboards. The city has argued that it needs time to find a way to remove the billboards without incurring significant financial losses.
However, Citizens for Amending Proposition L has argued that the city is dragging its feet and that it is in contempt of court. The group has asked the court to order the city to remove the billboards immediately.
The Impact of the Lawsuit
The Pomona billboard lawsuit has had a significant impact on the city. The billboards have become a symbol of the city’s long-running battle over visual blight and the power of citizen initiatives.
The lawsuit has also had a financial impact on the city. The city could face millions of dollars in damages if it is found to have violated Proposition L.
Conclusion
The Pomona billboard lawsuit is a complex case with a long history. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the city of Pomona and for other cities that are facing similar challenges.
FAQs
Q: What is Proposition L?
A: Proposition L is a ballot initiative that was passed by the city of Pomona in 1993. The initiative prohibits the construction of new billboards within city limits.
Q: Why are the billboards being sued?
A: The billboards are being sued because they were in violation of Proposition L. The city of Pomona extended the leases on the billboards in 2014, but this was found to be a violation of the initiative.
Q: What is the current status of the lawsuit?
A: As of October 2023, the city of Pomona has still not removed the billboards. The city has appealed the court’s ruling, but the appeal is still pending.
Q: What is the impact of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit has had a significant impact on the city of Pomona. The billboards have become a symbol of the city’s long-running battle over visual blight and the power of citizen initiatives. The lawsuit has also had a financial impact on the city, as the city could face millions of dollars in damages if it is found to have violated Proposition L.
Q: What is the future of the billboards?
A: It is unclear what the future of the billboards is. The city of Pomona has said that it needs time to find a way to remove the billboards without incurring significant financial losses. However, Citizens for Amending Proposition L has argued that the city is dragging its feet and that it should be ordered to remove the billboards immediately.
Q: What does the lawsuit mean for other cities?
A: The outcome of the Pomona billboard lawsuit will have significant implications for other cities that are facing similar challenges. If the city of Pomona is found to have violated Proposition L, it could set a precedent for other cities that are trying to remove billboards.
Conclusion
The Pomona billboard lawsuit is a complex case with a long history. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the city of Pomona and for other cities that are facing similar challenges.