More cities plagued by illegal signs

Agoura Hills, which recently reevaluated its businss sign ordinance, isn't the only city attempting to regulate the brash signage that businesses and residents frequently put up. Illegal banners and other signs are also a problem in Calabasas, officials from that city said.

Calabasas prohibits signs attached to trees, poles or utility boxes unless the business or person posting the sign applies for and receives a temporary permit.

"The precipitant cause of why this is up (for discussion) is because there's an applicant who looks left and right and says, 'How come they can have (those signs)? I'd like the same thing,'" said Calabasas City Manager Tony Coroalles. "We were having somebody actually apply to put up one of these (illegal signs)."

"We can (issue a) permit for temporary placement of a sign," Calabasas Community Development Director Maureen Tamuri said. "If a business is suddenly opening and they want to advertise that they're now open, that would be an example of a temporary-use permit that an owner could obtain in order to post a temporary condition at his premises. But at one point, he's no longer a brand-new business."

The city council hopes to enforce its sign ordinance, but council members want to let the planning commission and the public weigh in on the matter first.

The planning commission is expected to discuss the sign law at the May 25 commission meeting.

Mayor Dennis Washburn said if the city doesn't take immediate action, more signs will pop up.

"In many instances, what we're seeing may be tastily designed, but it's against the law," Washburn said.

"We do have four scenic roadways in our community," Washburn said, "Mulholland Drive, Topanga Canyon, Las Virgenes Road and the 101 Freeway corridor, and for the first 15 years of our existence and in the general plan discussions, we've tried to do our best to aesthetically make this community look as good as we hope it to be."

Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian said some businesses that post signs illegally wait until they get caught-and then seek a permit.

"I would say that if that's the case, there should be a clause in (the sign ordinance) that says (businesses) forfeit their right to apply for a temporary banner if they've already violated it (the law) and they've come to us after we've already had to go and enforce the law," Bozajian said.

"We're not looking to frustrate anyone's business," Washburn said.

To view the Calabasas sign ordinance, visit the city's website at www.cityofcalabasas.com.