COSTA MESA : Merchants Granted OK to Fly Banners

The City Council voted unanimously Monday to give all merchants more freedom to fly banners as business advertisements.

Businesses have been allowed to fly banners, flags, pennants and inflatable signs for only 14 days each quarter. The time restriction is now lifted until the city settles on a new sign ordinance later this year.

The council two years ago gave Newport Boulevard merchants the right to fly banners every day to help compensate for the construction of the Costa Mesa Freeway. The freeway was built below the Newport Boulevard street grade, taking vehicle traffic away from the merchants.

The Newport Boulevard exemption ran out at the beginning of this year. Since freeway construction is now over, City Atty. Thomas Kathe said the city has no legal basis for continuing to give Newport Boulevard special treatment.

But many business people from Newport Boulevard came to the council meeting to plead for their banners.

“I don’t know what I’d do if somebody came by this week and told me to take those banners down,” said Bob Washer, owner of the Sandpiper Motel at 1967 Newport Blvd.

Washer told the council his motel business was damaged by the construction of the Costa Mesa Freeway. He said he needs banners to help people see where his motel is located.

Ed Fawcett, director of the Chamber of Commerce, also came to the meeting to ask for further help for the downtown businesses.

But Armando Vasquez, a resident and architect, warned the council not to let too many signs pollute the downtown’s appearance.