SIMI VALLEY : Planners Allow Sign That Violates Code

Simi Valley planning officials have decided to allow a local business center to modify an existing sign containing two background colors even though the new sign does not technically conform to city code.

Planning commissioners voted 3 to 1 Wednesday to approve a request by Simi Valley Auto World to identify the four businesses in the center on a blue background in its portion of the sign on 1st Street. The bottom panel of the sign is owned by Simi Mini Storage and utilizes a white background. City code does not permit a two-color background sign when more than three businesses are involved.

Commissioner Dick Satterlee opposed the action as an undeserved “special privilege” for a business that did not take the time to appear before the commission on the issue.

In addition to the two-color background scheme, the four businesses in the Auto World Center will be allowed 7.5-square-foot identification panels even though city code would limit them to 6 square feet. “Almost every merchant in this town thinks they need a bigger sign,” Satterlee said. “It is patently unfair for these guys to get something no one else can have.”

But Planning Commissioners Judy Mikels, Robert Barrett and Ron Lenfield voted in favor of the proposal. Because none of the businesses involved are visible from 1st Street, the sign variance is justified, several commissioners said. Commissioner Michael Piper was not at the meeting.