Letter: Freeway-Engaging Sign Ordinance Goes Too Far

By Christy MacBride-Hart, San Clemente

The San Clemente City Council is considering a ban on all signs facing the freeway. A complete ban on these signs seems ludicrous to me in a town that depends on sales tax for a large part of its budget. Although we often search the Internet for a particular type of store, when driving down the freeway we depend on signs to find a place to eat, to get coffee, to buy a few groceries. Even locals will notice a place based on its sign and visit it at a later date.

I agree there should be no new signs on long poles reaching up to the freeway.

I agree there should be no giant monument video sign like at Westminster Mall.

I agree to no glut of billboards like along the 405 through Long Beach.

I agree no ad wrapped buildings like near LAX.

But zero signs facing the freeway? Does that mean Staples will have to remove the sign over its front door because it can be seen from the freeway?

Why can’t the City Council find some compromise that won’t be so harmful to local businesses?

Editor’s note: Freeway-facing signs and freeway-engaging signs have been defined separately in the city of San Clemente sign ordinance, which can be found at www.san-clemente.org under the Planning Commission’s Jan. 20 meeting agenda.