HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 20 2025 Item 7.4 - Deny Installation of Electronic Billboard in Gilroy - Dan DanielsCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Council Member Zachary Hilton
To:Public Comments
Subject:Fw: - Public Comment Item 7.4 Deny Installation of Electronic Billboard in Gilroy
Date:Tuesday, October 14, 2025 2:49:00 PM
Please add this below as public comment for Item 7.4 of the October 20 Gilroy City
Council meeting.
Thanks.
Zach Hilton
Gilroy City Council Member
www.zachhilton.com
#HiltonForCouncil @zachhilton_ca
From: Dan Daniels <daniels460@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 2:40 PM
To: All Council Members <AllCouncilMembers@cityofgilroy.org>
Subject: EXTERNAL - Deny Installation of Electronic Billboard in Gilroy
Dear Mayor Bozzo and all the council members,
I understand a company wants to install electronic billboards in Gilroy.
As a long time resident of Gilroy and a person who is conserving electricity & energy, I oppose the
installation of the 7-8 story high LED electronic billboard in Gilroy for the following reasons a friend shared
with me.
1. ENERGY USE AND CONSERVATION.
Rolling blackouts plague many of our households with every heatwave & storms like the ones we had
recently. Do we really want to share our energy with the electronic billboard industry? Annual energy
consumption for a single-sided 672 sq ft billboard is many times greater than the average US home.
2. PROPERTY VALUES.
Electronic billboards would cause our property values to go down. Let’s not pretend these behemoths
aren’t an ugly addition to the landscape and “curb appeal” of Gilroy.
3. SALES AND HOTEL TAX REVENUES.
Since we are not Las Vegas, electronic billboards are counter-productive and off-brand for our type of
tourism, especially since some of our hotel guests would have an obnoxious view of the giant blinking
billboards. Let’s not blight Gilroy, repelling visitors, our guests, drivers on the freeway, and residents.
4. THRIVING CAR DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES.
The personal computer or smartphone is where customers make their decisions on everything from
where to buy a car, spend the weekend, or get dinner. Billboards are being outmoded as a form of
effective local advertising.
5. SOCIAL EQUITY.
Numerous Gilroy households would be be forced to live in both the shadow and glare of this proposed
colossal billboard. This is unhealthy.
6. HEALTHY LIVING.
The effects of light pollution from artificial light disturbs our melatonin levels, circadian rhythms, leading to
sleep disturbances, and associated illnesses. Numerous nocturnal creatures also rely on darkness to
hunt and thrive, keeping our ecosystem in check.
7. DISTRACTED DRIVING.
Electronic billboards are designed to be distracting. This is especially a problem near lane merges, like
we have on 101, here in Gilroy.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. D. Daniels