Michael J. Williams

Staff Writer

CARLSBAD -- City Planning Commission members on Wednesday once again put off endorsing proposed revisions to the city's sign law because of their own misgivings and in response to criticism from business leaders.

Rather, the commissioners voted 5-0 to postpone action while recommending to the City Council that more work be done to iron out some ambiguities and items found objectionable by the business community. The commissioners said workshops could be held involving the community at large in reviewing the modifications.

As proposed, the modifications would prohibit A-frame signs, advertising balloons and several other popular sign types, while imposing tighter limits on signs allowed at businesses and campaign signs.

The commission's decision came despite having previously postponed voting on the issue on June 6 after hearing public testimony and holding a June 13 workshop on the proposal.

Commissioner Seena Trigas said it was obvious from hearing the testimony from more than a dozen business representatives that much confusion and uneasiness remained over the proposed changes.

Business leaders said the ordinance is overly restrictive in prohibiting signs that are already commonly used as advertising tools or directional indicators.

"The proposed sign ordinance will reduce the charm of the community and ultimately have a negative effect on the community," said Diane Scheer, executive director of the Carlsbad Village Business Association.

"If you're taking away our signs, you're taking money out of our pockets," carwash owner Jan Jones said. "We've been in business 31 years and we'd like to stay in business."

City administrators said the revisions are primarily an attempt to make the city billboard-proof by eliminating the possibility of court challenges over constitutional issues primarily involving freedom of speech.

They said the proposed amendment would make the city's sign law adopted in 1969 less ambiguous and reduce clutter on city streets.

References to restrictions on the written content of signs would be eliminated from current codes.

On the other hand, the amended law would prohibit commercial signs off an advertiser's property, real estate signs, kiosks and political campaign signs in the public right of way, as well as the A-frame signs and balloons. Signs mounted on poles would be limited to gas stations and theaters.

Permits would be required for temporary signs and banners advertising projects under construction, property for sale or for rent, businesses, seasonal sales lots, special events and community events at parks.

Certain areas of the city, such as the downtown village redevelopment zone, Legoland California and the coastal zone, would be excluded from the revised ordinance because they are governed by their own city-adopted sign program.

However, business representatives in the village, where A-frame signs are now legal, said they remain concerned that the revisions would set a precedent leading to more restrictive measures in their district. The ordinance would apply to the village when a zoning law in the redevelopment area expires in 2006.

In other action, the commission recommended the City Council approve development plans for a 219-home subdivision on 42 acres in southwest Carlsbad.

The project, proposed by John Laing Homes of Irvine, is bordered by Poinsettia Lane to the south, the railroad to the west, the Poinsettia Transit Station to the north, and Avenida Encinas to the east. The two-story homes will range from $400,000 to $550,000 per unit, a company representative said.

Because of the lengthy sign ordinance discussion, the commission postponed considering proposed modifications to the city's planned development ordinance, which sets the standards for designing residential lots and homes.

Contact staff writer Michael J. Williams at (760) 901-4082 or mwilliams@nctimes.com.

6/21/01