Ban on billboards will continue

Paul Clinton

CIVIC CENTER -- In its ongoing war on billboard advertising, the City

Council renewed a moratorium banning new signs in Burbank.

Under the extended moratorium, no city permits can be issued on new

signs for 10 more months.

“In general, I think billboards are nothing but organized graffiti,”

Vice Mayor Bob Kramer said Monday. “They don’t do anything for the city.”

In taking the action June 27, the council extended a 45-day ban

imposed May 16.

During a brief public hearing, the council voted 4-0, with Mayor Bill

Wiggins absent, to temporarily ban the signs until May 15. The new

moratorium went into effect Saturday.

The Planning Board had recommended the extension of the moratorium on

June 12.

During the 10-month ban, the Community Development Department will

hash out the details of an ordinance preventing future billboards in

Burbank. The ordinance could also establish new guidelines for other

types of signage in the city. Officials said the plan is to incorporate

the billboard ban into the Municipal Code.

City officials have been contemplating the move for several years.

Kramer said. The council decided to act following several requests by

advertisers were made to the Community Development Department.

“It has been a long time coming,” Kramer said.

While the city can ban new signs, existing ones would probably not be

affected by a new ordinance, Kramer said.