In a sign of the times, money means a billboard may stand

The Boston Parks Department cleared a major hurdle last week in its bid to save and enlarge a controversial billboard in a city park near Logan Airport.

Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal voted Tuesday to allow a sign on the back of the existing billboard, and increase its height to 95 feet, despite efforts by some neighborhood activists to have the structure removed altogether.

A billboard has stood for decades at 220 Porter St. on the edge of city-owned East Boston Stadium, despite city and state regulations barring the signs on or overlooking parkland. Before the vote, Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak urged the board to allow it to remain because the billboard brings in much-needed rental income for the department. ''If this were not an existing billboard it would be another discussion," said Pollak, who said its location overlooking a highway made it a worthy exception.

The issue has divided activists. Blossom Hoag, a member of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association, and Ernie Torgersen, executive director of East Boston Main Streets, urged the board to order the sign removed. Joe Mason, president of the East Boston Land Use Council, spoke in favor of keeping the billboard after reaching an agreement with the Parks Department to set aside 25 percent of the sign's rental income for East Boston parks, he said.

Last week the department signed a lease with Clear Channel Outdoor, the country's largest billboard operator. Clear Channel will pay $600,000 in rent over 10 years; $150,000 will be earmarked for East Boston parks, according to the department. The billboard still must receive a permit from the state's Outdoor Advertising Board.

CHRISTINE MACDONALD