Fullerton : Merchants Seek OK on Outdoor Displays

The City Council today will consider approving outdoor displays and other means of drawing business to the downtown area.

Merchants first approached the council in November and asked to be allowed to put clothing, flowers, books and other sale items in front of their stores.

“If people are zooming by, there’s nothing to catch their eye,” said Allison Becker, owner of Hanson’s Flowers on Commonwealth Avenue. “We’ve got to have something out there.”

Becker said she wants to be allowed to put flowers, balloons and a banner outside her store. The council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, may rescind a $50 fee for outdoor displays and loosen restrictions.

The downtown district will be considered at a special hearing at 7:30 p.m.

In other business during the 4 p.m. portion of today’s meeting, the council will consider increasing fees for activities run by the Community Services Department. The increases will bring the fees closer to the costs of service.

Under a city staff proposal, a yearly swim pass for city pools would increase from $100 to $125 for one family member and from $150 to $200 for a family.

Court fees at the Andrews Municipal Tennis Center would increase from $4 per hour during the day to $5, and from $5 an hour during the evening to $6.

The council will also consider raising other fees.