ODOT motion to prevent large billboards denied

The department says the signs violate a 1965 Highway Beautification Act.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Ohio Department of Transportation can't prevent an advertising company from putting up more oversized murals, at least for now, a judge ruled.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Charles A. Schneider denied the state's motion for a temporary restraining order that would have prevented Orange Barrel Media from erecting more murals.
ODOT hasn't proved that the state controls the downtown streets where Orange Barrel began putting up murals more than a year ago, the judge said Friday.
Attorneys for ODOT had argued that the ads are on or can be seen from streets designated as routes 23 and 33, which the state says it controls.
The Federal Highway Administration and ODOT say the signs violate the 1965 Highway Beautification Act. Federal regulations limit billboards to 1,200 square feet.
Fight to be continued
The judge has yet to rule on civil charges filed by the state against the company. ODOT has ordered Orange Barrel Media to remove large advertisements for beer and insurance companies as well as a billboard featuring a full-scale Mini Cooper.
ODOT spokeswoman Lindsay Mendicino said transportation officials remain absolute.
"We still believe that we have a requirement to control advertising along the routes," Mendicino said.
Peter Scantland, owner of Orange Barrel Media, said he has plans to put up two or three more murals before February if the downtown commission approves.