LAGUNA HILLS : Council Passes Sign and Banner Rules

Over objections from the business community, the City Council has adopted restrictions on the display of banners and new signs.

Passed as part of a revamping of city zoning and other codes, the sign ordinance will limit the display of banners for sales and special events to 45 days over a year and require a special permit for any changes or additions to existing signs.

The ordinance was opposed Tuesday by a handful of business people, who said it would make it tougher to compete for sales in the growing South County market.

“These requirements to me are very onerous,” said David Phillips of David Phillips Buick-Pontiac-Mazda on Alicia Parkway. “We’d like you to give us flexibility in this ordinance.”

Phillips said merchants could be trusted not to create an eyesore in Laguna Hills with their signs.

The business community was backed by Councilman Randal J. Bressette, who asked that special banners be allowed 78 days in the year.

But his proposal was turned down by a council majority seeking to eliminate clutter.

“I’d like to clean up the city,” said Councilman R. Craig Scott. “I’d like to see us look better than we look.”