YORBA LINDA : Bus Shelter Ad Plan on Council Agenda

A proposal to allow advertising on bus stop shelters will be considered tonight by the City Council.

Bus Shelters of California has petitioned the city to allow the shelters, currently prohibited by city zoning code. The company would build, install and maintain the shelters in return for permission to sell advertising space, with most of the revenue going to the company.

The city would retain control over the location of each shelter, as well as advertising content, according to Bus Shelters of California’s proposal.

The company asked the council two weeks ago to amend the zoning code to allow the shelters. Although the council expressed little enthusiasm for the idea, Mayor John M. Gullixson invited a company representative to come back with photos and illustrations of possible shelter designs.

Patricia Haley, community development director, told the council she opposes the plan because it may establish a precedent regarding placement of signs on public streets.

“In other words, staff is concerned that by allowing one type of signage within the public right-of-way, the door would be opened to other types of signage,” Haley said.

Haley also expressed concern about the degree of control the city can exercise over advertising content. The city cannot allow some forms of advertising and prohibit others, according to City Atty. Leonard Hampel.

Bus Shelters of California faces an uphill battle in establishing more signs in a city notoriously opposed to advertising clutter.

A vote two weeks ago to continue the matter to tonight’s meeting barely passed, with just three of the five council members voting in favor of even hearing the company’s proposal. Councilman Daniel T. Welch voted against continuing the item, and Councilwoman Barbara Kiley, whose husband is a consultant to the company, abstained.