First Round of Oral Arguments During Billboards Trial

It is one of the few issues that connects multiple townships: The billboard debates.

The latest round in the billboard battle was between the Board of Commissioners of and The Bartkowski Investment Group, Inc. (BIG), as it raged on with a first round of oral arguments before the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia Feb. 8.

Adam Matlawski, Marple Township attorney, believes the legal arguments held on Tuesday afternoon may just be the "first round" to a long legal process.

"I really sort of think this is just the first round," said Matlawski. "If the township is successful of this round, it doesn't necessarily eliminate the issue."

According to Matlawski, if the township wins this round of arguments–meaning the billboards apply to the newly amended ordinance in 2009, outlawing any large signs that may be deemed as billboards to the township–BIG may file for another appeal.

"If the township is successful, they may challenge on our new ordinance as well," said Matlawski."

The question, said Matlawski, of the issue is which ordinance this billboard application applies to.

Marple argues its amended sign ordinance–amended on Jan. 5, 2009–was filed valid to this case denying BIG's proposed seven billboards in the township along West Chester Pike and Sproul Road, while BIG challenged Marple's amended ordinance.

The billboard battle has been two years running, in which BIG filed billboard applications in several neighboring towns of Marple including Newtown, Havertown, Springfield and Bryn Mawr.

When asked whether the township will fight this case to the end, Matlawksi said, "The township is very strong in their belief that they should resist billboards where they've been asked to put them. They don't believe they're appropriate in this area, and the township believes this will not be good for the general welfare of the public and will fight this to the extent they can."

According to Matlawski, a decision from the court is anticipated within the next four to six weeks.