LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission discussed the issue of temporary commercial signs on Wednesday evening, settling on a proposal to ask the city's businesses to come into voluntary compliance with the city's signage ordinance by this spring.
In a unanimous vote, the commission chose the second of five options presented by city planning staff in order to address a large number of temporary signs being used beyond the 30-day time limit.
The option the commission chose – in an effort to balance the needs of businesses with the need to enforce rules meant to maintain the city's aesthetics – was to send out a letter asking business owners to comply with city rules and to upgrade from temporary signs, such as banners, to permanent signs by May 1.
The letter that city Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton will send out also will include a suggestion that temporary signs should also be maintained in good condition – meaning they're legible, and not torn or frayed.
City Manager Margaret Silveira told the commission the city also can remind business owners about the rules when annual business license renewals take place, and can put a reminder in the newsletter sent out to utility customers with their bills.
“We will definitely do a major educational piece to everybody,” Silveira said.
Planning staff canvassed the entire city and found that 92 businesses are using some kind of temporary signage, whether banners, flags or the tall feather-shaped flags, according to Britton.
Of those, 76 are using temporary signs on a longterm basis, and 27 are using temporary signage in a permanent way, Britton said.
He acknowledged that enforcement of signage rules can be an emotional one for business owners, and he said the city is sensitive to the needs of local businesses.
Commissioner Harold Taylor asked if the city had received any complaints. Britton said no, although one sign at Safeway on 11th Street had fallen into the right-of-way.
Britton noted during the discussion that businesses choose to establish their presence in Lakeport for a variety of reasons, including economics and the community's attractiveness.
“I think that business owners have a responsibility to budget accordingly, to install a permanent sign that reflects their investment in the community,” and shows that they're not temporary, Britton said.
Chairman Ken Wicks Jr. asked Britton if, in the 20 years since the city established its signage ordinance, there had been a serious enforcement taking place at any level.
Britton said yes, noting that effort resulted in “a lot of finger pointing.”
The city, Britton explained, had attempted a blanket enforcement approach in order to be fair, and in return was accused of not being business-friendly. “We were trying to be comprehensive and consistent,” Britton said.
During the discussion it was suggested that it might be appropriate to extend the time period for the signs, but Britton noted that won't address the appearance of the signs or their proliferation. If every storefront had feather signs, “I think that would be detrimental to the appearance of our downtown area,” he said.
Wicks asked Britton for a ballpark estimate of how many businesses operate in the city compared to the 92 on the list that use temporary signs. Britton estimated those 92 businesses made up about 25 percent of the city's total businesses.
Lake County Chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton told the commission that businesses want to be respectful of the community, and they don't want 1,000 feather flags around the city.
She said they want businesses to succeed, adding that the chamber had notified businesses of the meeting so they had the chance to come forward. About a dozen people were in the audience.
Marjorie Anderson of H&R Block said the company sends out banners at various times of the year.
She said leaving the same banners up all year leads to them eventually being ignored. At the same time, she said temporary signs do help businesses. She suggested someone from one of the local business organizations like the chamber could conduct outreach on the matter.
Rick Hamilton, vice president of the chamber and a professional sign contractor, told the commission, “This is a tough task, to make this decision.”
Hamilton makes a lot of banners, and in response to questions from Commissioner Suzanne Russell explained that a typical banner can hold up for about a year before it starts to look worn.
He said he charges about $100 for a typical 3-foot by 6-foot banner, whereas a permanent sign – which will begin to show wear after six to seven years – costs $500 to $600, with $150 of that covering installation.
Russell said it made financial sense to purchase a permanent sign.
Commissioner Ross Kauper suggested giving businesses six months to come into compliance, which would mean they wouldn't need to be concerned about the changes during the busy upcoming Christmas season.
Wicks said that the commission actually had two separate concerns – advertising signs, such as the feather flags, and banners in place of permanent signage.
Taylor said the option of starting with a request for voluntary compliance was best both for businesses and the city.
“It is good,” noted Wicks. “It's the voluntary part that is the sticking point.”
He added, “We don't want to force people out of business by hammering them over a sign.”
Wicks said some towns allow certain signage displays at specific times of the year, such as the summer season, with display flags then required to come down at Labor Day. Special signs also are allowed for the holidays.
Commissioners agreed that the May 1 deadline for compliance was appropriate, with Fulton noting that it would be a good time, since the Lakeport Main Street Association does a downtown cleanup at that time. She said the chamber also can send out information to members in its e-newsletter.
Taylor moved to direct staff to forward the voluntary compliance letter option to the Lakeport City Council, which Russell seconded. The motion was approved 5-0.
In other action Wednesday night, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend to the Lakeport City Council that the proposed abandonment of a portion of unimproved Ninth Street right-of-way between Pool and Spurr streets – requested by property owners Gary and Jane Leonard – and the city's requested abandonment of the entire unimproved Harlie Street right-of-way do not conflict with the Lakeport General Plan.
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