COSTA MESA : Planners Give Initial Approval to Sign Rule

The Planning Commission has given initial approval to a sign ordinance that would allow businesses to put up banners 90 days a year--34 more days than merchants are currently allowed.

Commissioners on Monday voted 4 to 1 for the law, with Walt Davenport casting the dissenting vote. The planning staff now will begin to write the ordinance, which ultimately will go before the City Council for final action.

While some commissioners felt they were striking a compromise with the business community, many merchants who showed up at the meeting to protest were outraged that commissioners ignored their request to display banners 180 days a year.

“It was an unmitigated disaster,” said Randy Garell, a business owner and member of the ad hoc committee that made the 180-day recommendation. “Basically, they threw us a bone. The planning commissioners say they are business friendly, but this is not business friendly.”

Garell said many businesses along Newport Boulevard and on the west side of town need to erect the temporary signs to get business back that they lost during the construction of the Costa Mesa Freeway.

He said many motorists broke their traditional commute to work during the construction, seeking out less congested routes, and apparently have not returned.

“We need to put up these signs,” Garell said. “They are our livelihood.”

But all is not completely lost for the business community, Garell said.

The commission will meet March 27 to review the ordinance in its written form, at which time they can either be swayed by merchants or make their final vote for the 90-day rule.