An antibillboard group has sued Philadelphia alleging the city entered illegally into a sweetheart agreement with four billboard companies in 2006.
SCRUB, which fights outdoor advertising, alleged in the suit filed on Tuesday that the agreement eliminated fines and lowered fees for the companies, and legalized hundreds of unpermitted signs in the city.
The city agreement, with CBS Outdoor, Steen, Clear Channel and Keystone, takes away legal rights from residents and community groups who want to get rid of billboards, the suit says.