Revisions
to a chapter in Yorba Linda's zoning code regarding signage are in
the works, with new provisions focusing on clutter caused by
temporary signs along roadways that irks many city residents.
The
newly drafted section was discussed at a recent Planning Commission
session, but any changes would come before future public hearings
held by the commission and City Council.
Signage
has been a contentious issue in the city ever since tough
restrictions were adopted by the council in 1972 and strengthened in
1974. These initial rules for business signs were loosened over the
years as new land was annexed and additional shopping areas
developed.
Lately,
however, citizen concerns have been expressed about temporary signs,
and a city survey found that 22 of the county's 34 cities prohibit
any signs in the public rights-of-way.
Primary
goals of the revised regulations are to comply with a 2015 Supreme
Court decision, “reduce clutter from temporary signs” and
establish rules “simple to understand and to enforce,” Community
Development Director David Brantley reported to commissioners.
Revisions
would prohibit signage in public rights-of-way, “with exceptions
allowed for non-commercial speech” – such as election and
not-for-profit signs – “and real estate signage.” Brantley
noted “a compelling government interest in allowing these types of
signs....”
Non-commercial
signs would have to be removed within five days of the event, and
real estate directional signs are allowed only Friday through Sunday,
from sunrise to sunset.
One key
change would involve removal procedures for illegally placed signs in
public rights-of-way. Currently, the city Community Preservation
Division must notify the sign's owner 72 hours in advance by
certified mail prior to removal, with the owner allowed to appeal.
The
revised process would eliminate the advance notice and allow division
employees “to summarily remove any illegally placed sign in the
public right-of-way.” Owners of removed signs would still be
allowed to retrieve them.
This
is a noteworthy change, since candidates frequently ignore several of
the rules regarding the size and placement of roadside campaign
signs, even though copies of the rules are given council candidates
when they file papers to run for office.
And
in response to complaints from business owners, the proposed
revisions would permit “grand opening” banners to be displayed
for 45 days instead of the current 30 days. Rules for other
special event banners are outlined in the draft document.
Stakeholders
involved in drafting the revisions were Susan Wan-Ross, executive
director of the Chamber of Commerce, and Phil Hawkins, CEO of Pacific
West Association of Realtors.
In
a letter to commissioners, Yorba Linda resident Hawkins noted support
for a “reasonable ordinance” allowing agents to advertise open
houses “while also prohibiting excessive sign blight in the
community.”