As reported earlier this month, the City of Los Angeles introduced a new sign ordinance which proposes to eliminate the distinction between on- and off-premise signs, significantly reduces the allowable height and square footage of on-premise signs, bans digital signage, and imposes severe penalties, among other restrictions. In addition, in January, Assembly Bill 109 (proposing a statewide moratorium on digital message centers) was introduced at the Capitol. The purpose of this memo is to update you on the current situation and to share with you what CSA is doing on your behalf as it relates to these proposals.
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Los Angeles
At the January CSA Board meeting, I appointed Board Member Gus Navarro (San Pedro Electric Sign Co.) to chair a group to head off the Los Angeles ordinance. That group, the Los Angeles Sign Ordinance Task Force (LATF) has been meeting weekly via conference call to establish and implement strategy for combating this action that threatens the sign industry and our customers. The LATF is comprised of CSA officers and Board members, industry leaders, including our legal counsel, and representatives of ISA. In addition, CSA has retained the services of a local advocacy group, Arnie Berghoff & Associates, to assist through this process.
The City of Los Angeles Planning Commission met on January 22 for the first review of the ordinance. Representatives of CSA's LATF and other concerned groups voiced outrage at not being consulted on the development of the draft. The February 19th meeting of the LA City Planning Commission found nearly 200 interested parties who protested the contents of the proposed ordinance and urged delay, including CSA officers, billboard interests, sign companies, community councils, muralists, anti-billboard activists and numerous business associations. A few days prior to the meeting, LA City Planning staff released a revised report and ordinance proposing two alternatives for the Commission to consider. One version retained the on-site/off-site distinction, while the other eliminated it. In addition, the draft included proposals for harsh enforcement provisions, penalties and unreasonably excessive fines. However, there was no provision for abatement procedures or the funding for enforcement.
After hearing numerous speakers, in order to produce a fair and just result the Commission effectively decided it was necessary to retain the distinction of off-premise and on-premise signage and to delay making any decision while all affected had time to digest the new proposal. Of particular concern to all parties was the potential, but unknown and far-reaching impact on business and legal ramifications elimination of the onsite/offsite distinction would pose. CSA spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance and urged the Commission to take time to further study the impacts. To bolster our efforts, we showed the ISA DVD Vital Signs - Vibrant Communities.
The Commission deferred voting and instead created a subcommittee to further identify and review the key issues it wanted to pursue. The subcommittee reports this Thursday, February 26, to lay out a roadmap as to the direction the Commission should follow. Several of the commissioners were vocal about wanting to "do this right." One of the problems facing the Commission is an expiring moratorium on digital billboards and supergraphics (now extended through May 10). The city wants to complete the ordinance review before the moratorium expires. (On-site signs are currently excluded from the moratorium.) We are urging the Commission, among other recommendations, to disassociate on-premise signage, including on-site digital signs, from the ordinance proposals at this time.
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Letter Writing Campaign
- CSA Members and their customers were asked to send opposition letters to the LA City Planning Commission, City Council and Mayor. Thanks to your efforts, hundreds of letters from around the state and country were delivered.
- CSA sent letters to the LA City Planning Commission, City Council and Mayor opposing the proposed ordinance. Included with that mailing was a copy of the Vital Signs - Vibrant Communities DVD.
- Allied associations have been asked to help by requesting their members send letters of opposition to LA city officials.
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Participation at Meetings
CSA and task force members have been building alliances and representing CSA almost daily before various association, government and quasi-government bodies including:
- Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
- Central City Association
- LA Chamber of Commerce
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Where Are We Headed From Here?
Our first step was to stop the Planning Commission's effort to circumvent industry input so that we could work with the staff and Commission to develop an ordinance that is not only acceptable to the sign industry but to government, citizens, businesses, and all other key stakeholders. We were successful in that endeavor when the Commission voted to postpone its vote and study the issue further.
- As noted, we have retained a local government relations advocacy firm, whose initial goal was to stop the Commission from recommending any new sign ordinances until the industry (i.e., CSA) has had an opportunity to provide input into what is being considered. As mentioned above, we were successful. Next, we will be working behind the scenes with planning and council staff, as well as the elected officials themselves, to work out a mutually agreeable resolution.
- CSA in general, and the task force specifically, will continue working with various associations, organizations, groups, etc. to have them assist us in lobbying the council members. As mentioned previously, we are already working closely with the Central City Association and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, both of which are particularly concerned about any proposals that negatively impact the business community, including signage issues.
- ISA is also providing significant assistance in alerting its national membership as to the dire consequences should the ordinance be enacted and lending support in many other areas as well. There is concern that what happens in LA could spillover to other cities.
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AB 109
CSA is opposing this bill and working with a coalition of sign industry organizations to develop an educational and advocacy campaign. Our next meeting is this Friday in Sacramento. Presently, no legislative committee meeting dates have been set, but the coalition is working diligently to defeat the measure.
Funding
Via the CSA Executive Committee, CSA has committed $50,000 to fight the proposed LA Sign Ordinance as well as AB 109. We have also requested funding assistance from ISA. In addition, three CSA member companies have each committed $2,500 per month to fight the LA Sign Ordinance and AB 109 battles.
Other information
Just released are two new digital safety reports from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Transportation Research Board. Those reports are being evaluated and we will report further shortly.
I invite you to visit CSA's Web site, www.calsign.org, to keep up-to-date with the latest information. For details on any of these issues, please contact CSA Government Affairs Director, Jeff Aran, at (916) 395-6000 or jaranatty@aol.com. |
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Sincerely,
Skip Moore
President
California Sign Association |
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