Temporary Ban Sought on Signs Along Ventura Boulevard in Encino

Legislation that would prohibit the erection of new signs along Ventura Boulevard in Encino until the Los Angeles City Council acts on a proposed sign-control law for the community was introduced Tuesday by Councilman Marvin Braude.

The proposal by Braude, who represents the south San Fernando Valley, was sent by the council to its Planning and Environment Committee for a recommendation. The proposal follows a lawsuit filed by an Encino homeowners’ group seeking to stop the city from issuing permits for rooftop signs that exceed building height limits.

A hearing on the suit, filed Jan. 7 by Homeowners of Encino, is scheduled for March 28 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Braude’s proposal seeks to prohibit the city from issuing permits for any new signs--not just those that exceed building height limits--until the council acts on a proposed sign-control law for Encino.

The proposed law would ban new billboards along Ventura Boulevard in Encino but allow existing ones to remain. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for March 18 at the Van Nuys Women’s Club.

Braude said he expects the billboard industry, which has thwarted previous efforts to regulate signs, to lobby hard against his proposal. The billboard industry is a major campaign contributor to council members.

In proposing a moratorium on new signs, Braude said, “There has been a significant increase in the number of permits requested for signs, particularly the large free-standing and rooftop signs.

“The proliferation of such signs could adversely affect the effectiveness of any proposed sign amendment,” he said.