CALABASAS : Gas Station Owner, City Settle Sign Flap

A gas station owner whose freeway sign exceeds a city height limit has agreed to remove the sign after the city revises its sign ordinance sometime next year.

The 100-foot-high sign at the Mobil station on Calabasas Road violates a current ordinance prohibiting placards higher than 42 feet.

The city recently reached a similar compromise with the owner of a Red Robin restaurant next-door to the station. The Planning Commission originally had ordered both men to take down their signs within 90 days, but eventually softened its stance.

The signs have been seen as a test case for Calabasas, because both owners had hinted that they might sue the city over the matter. Neighboring Agoura Hills has become embroiled in a costly lawsuit filed against the city by the owners of 12 businesses with freeway signs, which that city has outlawed as eyesores.

Calabasas officials, noting that there are still several businesses in the Ventura Freeway corridor with nonconforming signs, say they have been anxious to reach a compromise.

“We want to try to keep the 101 Scenic Corridor scenic,” said Planning Commissioner Mike Tingus. “But we also want to be very, very sensitive to these pole sign owners that rely on them for business.”

The Mobil station owner, John Barkhordar, and the Red Robin owner, Scott Soller, had argued that under the state Business and Professions Code, they should be given 15 years to take down their signs, which they say are needed to attract business from the freeway.

The existing ordinance was adopted in 1991. Community Development Director Steve Harris said the city will consult with the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce to craft a revised law that both the city and businesses can live with.