SANTA PAULA : City to Consider Changing Ordinance Limiting Filming

Santa Paula has long been a favorite location for Hollywood filmmakers, who use its quaint, tree-lined streets as a stand-in for Midwestern small towns.

But the location became so popular that the town cracked down on film productions two years ago to reduce disruptions to local businesses and residents.

Now, after learning that the strengthened city ordinance inadvertently cracked down on local businesses filming commercials as well, the city is again deciding whether to change its film ordinance.

“When it gets to the point that a small-business person can’t follow the ordinance and film a commercial, it’s time for a change,” said Santa Paula Police Chief Walter Adair. Last week, Adair appealed to the City Council to change the ordinance to spare local businesses.

Before the ordinance was strengthened, film crews flocked to the city, shutting down streets and blocking shoppers’ access to Main Street shops.

The situation came to a head three years ago when three film productions requested permits to film on Main Street during the Christmas shopping season.

The first crew shut down the street the day after Thanksgiving, the heaviest shopping day of the year.

“It was pretty devastating to the merchants,” said Carolyn Bowker, liaison for film productions and the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce.

After city merchants complained of lost revenue, the City Council passed a year’s moratorium on filming in the central business district. They also tripled the fee.

Adair learned of the dilemma for local businesses wanting to film commercials a month ago after he walked into Logsdon’s Restaurant for his favorite chicken salad lunch--and found himself in the middle of a commercial taping.

He issued a film permit and waived the $750 fee. After consulting with the city attorney, Adair said a tentative revision has been worked out.

Filming on private property that has no impact on other businesses or police or fire protection should be exempt, he said. He will seek the council’s approval for the amendments on Nov. 2.