LA HABRA : City Rejects Bank’s Request for Awning

The City Council has refused to allow the Bank of America to install bright red awnings over an automated teller machine.

However, council members, who voted 3 to 2 last week against the bank’s request, directed the Planning Commission to consider changing the design plan for La Habra Boulevard, where the bank branch is located. The plan currently prohibits any metal or vinyl awnings.

Bank of America officials said the awning would have been placed behind their building, out of view from the street. They said they wanted vinyl awnings because it is easier to cover them with graffiti-resistant paint.

Only cloth awnings are currently permitted.

According to the design guidelines for the boulevard, bright colors must be approved by the Planning Commission, which denied the bank’s request two months ago.

The commission also rejected the proposed vinyl canopies.

Most of the buildings that line La Habra Boulevard were built in the 1940s, and the Planning Commission had approved the design guidelines to give the street an “early California-Spanish” architectural style.

The guidelines state that cloth awnings provide a “soft look” and are consistent with the style.

“It is within our power to make exceptions once in a while,” Councilman Juan M. Garcia said about the guidelines. He and Mayor David M. Cheverton cast the only votes in favor of the vinyl awnings.

“We want to work with businesses here as much as possible,” Garcia said.

Councilman William D. Mahoney agreed with the rest of the council to ask the Planning Commission to reconsider the design guidelines for La Habra Boulevard.