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Page 4 of 11 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />3. For digital billboards (termed as an “electronic changeable message center display”), the display must <br />be 1,000 feet from another electronic message display on either side of the freeway. <br />4. The location may not be adjacent to a landscaped freeway or a scenic highway and must comply with <br />“landscaped freeway segments” regulations. <br />According to Caltrans, a “landscaped freeway” is defined as a segment of freeway that is now, or may be <br />improved by the planting of ornamental vegetation (such as trees, shrubs, flowers, or other landscape <br />materials) requiring reasonable maintenance. These segments are considered “landscaped” if the <br />ornamental vegetation has been planted and maintained in a manner that creates a visually attractive <br />environment along the freeway. <br />Caltrans places specific restrictions on outdoor advertising displays, including digital billboards, along <br />these landscaped freeways. Generally, billboards are prohibited within 500 feet of a landscaped freeway <br />segment unless certain exceptions apply, such as grandfathered billboards that predate the landscaping <br />designation. All but approximately 0.2 miles of the U.S. Route 101 corridor in Redwood City between <br />Whipple Avenue and Marsh Road are classified as “landscaped freeway segments.” <br />This regulation helps preserve the aesthetic and scenic quality of freeways in California by limiting visual <br />distractions from signage along landscaped segments. Staff’s research has determined that Caltrans’ <br />requirements regarding landscaped freeways could be a major obstacle to locating suitable sites for <br />electronic billboards in Redwood City. <br />Map 1A demonstrates the current location of existing billboards, showing the 500’ and 1000’ foot buffers, <br />as well as the landscaped freeway segments. Segments shown in blue are the only current spaces <br />classified as “non-landscaped.” If the City wishes to pursue placement on other parcels, the Landscaped <br />Freeway Segment adjacent to the site – a footprint of approximately 10 feet – a written request to <br />declassify the freeway segment must be submitted to Caltrans for determination based on the criteria of <br />the Outdoor Advertising Act. <br />8.A. - Page 4 of 12 <br />186