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Westlake to ban some signs
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More from Conejo ValleyIn a bid to beautify the city, the Westlake Village City Council has voted to ban new signs of a certain type that are commonly found in commercial areas.
The unanimous vote Wednesday night gave initial approval to the ordinance. A second vote, which probably will occur in December, will be required for final approval, officials said.
The ordinance targets "can-style" monument signs, which are internally lighted, low-profile signs mounted near the ground. The sign typically consists of a metal box enclosure with a translucent face, on which the name of a business is spelled out in letters.
Officials said the city will permit other types of new signs, such as those made with back-lighted metal letters. Also, the city is studying ways of providing incentives for owners to replace existing can-style monument signs, which will not be affected by the ordinance.
In a written report, city officials said the ban "will lead to a more attractive streetscape" and will advance a city goal of enhancing "the aesthetic value of commercial, industrial and residential areas."
Posted by horsespinner on November 16, 2007 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this violates the first amendment
Posted by sokol_kiev on November 16, 2007 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Horsespinner... how in the world does this violate anyone's freedom of speech? City governments have the absolute right to regulate policies on signage (locations, dimensions, etc.) within residential, industrial and business zones. There is absolutely no correlation between our personal freedom of speech and signage regulations like this. I suggest you re-read the U.S. Constitution before so blatantly and erroneously throwing out the "this violates our first amendment" mantra.
Posted by hercules360 on November 16, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They may as well take down the "Bike Lane" and "No parking in the Bike Lanes" as there are an awlful lot of motorists out there who totally disregard those signs along with the speed mph signs on Westlake Blvd and around Westlake, still so long as the place looks nice! who cares about safty. Westlake resident for over 26 years!
Posted by sunnbear on November 16, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The signs of the times!
Posted by Face on November 16, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are there any federal or state statutes that regulate signs? To say a City can do anything... what if they banned signs all together? What if they made them so they were so small and innocuous that they cannot be seen or read? What if they made the cost of obligatory changes too much? When is enough enough?
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