Posted by Hal Dardick at 12:40 p.m.
A City Council committee today recommended approval of the Toyota sign that will tower over Wrigley Field’s bleachers as a way for the Cubs’ new owners to generate more money at the historic North Side ballpark.
Approval came after local Ald. Thomas Tunney, 44th, signed off, saying the Cubs’ owners had agreed to a four-year moratorium on new signs that are within the foul lines or affect the views from rooftop bleachers overlooking the park.
During that time, Tunney said he will work with the Ricketts family, which now owns Wrigley, to come up with an overall plan for signs in the park.
The Toyota sign, which could go up shortly after the June 9 council meeting at which a final vote is expected, will generate millions of dollars in Cubs revenue “without increasing ticket prices or charging more for food," according to Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts.
One advocate with a rooftop owners’ group opposed the sign, saying it would look down on a residential neighborhood, and a Wrightwood neighborhood resident cautioned against approving it before a master sign plan was in place.