Agoura Hills City Council goes business-friendly

The economy's continued downward spiral has prompted the Agoura Hills City Council to temporarily suspend its sign ordinance and allow businesses to display a wider range of advertising banners for the next three months.

The City Council also voted to lift banner permit fees until Jan. 22, 2009 to help the businesses.

According to Mike Kamino, Agoura Hills director of planning and community development, the city's economic development committee "acknowledged the negative impact of the national economy on local businesses."

Councilmember Bill Koehler said "unprecedented economic times" have hurt local businesses.

“It’s hard to stay viable,” Koehler said.

The change in law will make it easier for retailers to advertise their holiday sales. The signs will be especially beneficial for businesses along the freeway, which can attract customers driving through the area.

The maximum size of the banners allowed under the temporary measure is 20 feet, similar to grand opening banners, Kamino said.

Ordinarily, business owners in Agoura Hills are required to pay $66 for grand opening banner sign permits, which can be used for 90 days. But from now until January any business owner can use a banner sign to advertise a sale or event, and nobody will have to pay the permit fee.

"This is the first step, not the only step," said Mayor John Edelston who favored waiving the fee.

Councilmember Dan Kuperberg said that while he agreed the temporary measures would help businesses through the holiday season, he did not want to undermine the city's long term policies governing signage.

"I don't want to start down that slippery slope," Kuperberg said.

The three-month suspension "is the proper measure at this time," he said.