The city's Board of Standards and Appeals has denied a building permit to erect more bright towering billboards in Co-op City, officials say.
The already erected brightly lit billboards along Bartow and Baychester avenues hover high over I-95, and according to residents, were affecting their sleep.
Neighbors rallied against the company, Baychester Realty III, LLC in January and gained the support of New York City Council Member Andy King.
King was able to get the owners of the billboards to lower the brightness of the ads, however, its plans to create 54 more of them were still on track until Tuesday night.
The Board of Standards and Appeals denied Baychester Realty III, LLC its building permit during a public hearing Tuesday night arguing that the billboards are over 9,000 square feet.
"The Board of Standards and Appeals heard the cries of the people saying that such a big huge sign would be a violation of their own personal space. The signage already erected here illuminates such brightness that it has an impact on the retirees that live here and the neighbors that live here," King said.
The ruling has temporarily stopped the construction of the remaining billboards.
A spokesperson for Baychester Realty III, LLC issued a comment by saying, "While we are sensitive to the board's concerns, the process has been improper and will be reversed in court."