HUNTINGTON BEACH

The City Council has voted 4 to 3 to alter the ordinance governing picketing in front of private residences. Council members agreed to reduce the buffer zone between picketers and residences from 300 feet to 50 feet. Some said they were prompted to make the change after listening to comments by local attorney Ron Davis, who said if picketers were forced to stay 300 feet away from a home, passersby might think the house they would be standing in front of is actually the one being picketed.