Outfront Media argued that its proposed "narrow view" technology would limit the advertisements' visibility to motorists on the highway.
Photo Credit: Ridgewood Zoning Board Documents/Outright MediaOriginal Coverage & Source Attribution: dailyvoice.com
Outfront Media LLC’s case against the Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment was dismissed with prejudice in Bergen County Superior Court, village attorney Bruce E. Whitaker said in an Oct. 29 letter to Mayor Paul Vagianos.
The dispute dates to April 2021, when Outfront Media applied to install a 40-foot-tall, double-sided LED billboard at 500 Route 17 South. Each advertising face would have measured approximately 10½ feet tall and nearly 36 feet wide, according to court documents.
The proposal faced opposition from neighboring property owners and residents who raised concerns about traffic safety, visibility, and the billboard’s impact on the surrounding area, including the historic Zabriskie-Schedler property across Route 17.
Outfront Media argued that its proposed “narrow view” technology would limit the advertisements’ visibility to motorists on the highway. The company also offered landscaping to help shield the sign from nearby properties.
The zoning board held 11 public hearings before voting to deny the application on July 23, 2024. The proposed billboard was prohibited under the property’s zoning designation and exceeded the area’s 30-foot height limit, requiring variances.
Outfront Media filed suit on Jan. 29, 2025, accusing the board of acting arbitrarily and unreasonably, disregarding expert testimony, and failing to properly weigh evidence supporting the project. The company sought to overturn the denial, obtain approval for the billboard, and secure a building permit.
Court records show the case remained active through 2026, with multiple conferences postponed before a stipulation of settlement was filed Thursday, Oct. 29. A conference scheduled for that day was canceled.
The dismissal with prejudice means the lawsuit cannot be brought again on the same claims. The Ridgewood Village Manager’s Office announced the outcome on social media.
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