SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Business Banners to Fly High at Shops

Downtown business owners this week won the right to display promotional banners outside their shops on a trial basis, despite the objections of Councilwoman Carolyn Nash.

The City Council voted 4 to 1 to allow the banners in downtown on the first Thursday through Sunday of each month for the next six months. The city staff chose the first weekend of the month to coincide with the San Juan Marketplace, which draws many visitors from the city and outside of town.

Mayor Gil Jones said the council was only trying to respond to the business community, which has asked for the right to fly the banners.

“People wanted the opportunity to try this, so I think we should let them see if it works,” Jones said. “We certainly don’t want to be inundated with banners, but we have to try things.”

Nash said she wanted more study of the potential impacts of the banners first.

“I feel we should be helping the local business people, but I don’t want to do it without some analysis of whether or not this is the best way, and whether it is good for the city as a whole,” Nash said. “We were given no studies, no reports, no justification that this will in any way help business.”

The banners could become a “major blight,” Nash said.

“I think it’s going to be awful,” she said. “I think it’s in complete opposition to the goals we have had in this city of minimizing signs. We want to attract people but not turn them off with a sea of signs.”

If the banners become a problem, the city can adjust the rules, said Councilman Jeff Vasquez.

“This is a temporary measure and is something we have the power to control,” Vasquez said. “It is important for us as a city to demonstrate that we are behind our local businesses and will encourage the small businessman to continue to serve the city. This is a sincere gesture that we are willing to support them and put up with the banners.”