Revised billboard ban is proposed

Six members of the Los Angeles City Council called Tuesday for the city’s billboard ban to be strengthened so that it can withstand legal challenges and allow inspectors to crack down on illegal signs.

Councilman Jack Weiss, who drafted the motion, said he is determined to rewrite the city’s 2002 billboard ban in a way that eliminates blight and stands up in court.

Last month, a judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the city’s inspectors from cracking down on what were described as 34 illegal “supergraphics” -- advertising stretched across vinyl. At this point, “the most responsible thing to do is keep trying” to fix the city’s law, Weiss said.

“The best spin you could put on the situation right now is that because we have these court decisions, we have guidance from the court,” he said. “And we can draft new laws that are consistent with that guidance.”