The City of Hollister will not allow new placements of
billboards in Hollister for at least another 10 months, according
to an ordinance passed by City Council on Tuesday.
The Council was legally mandated to decide whether to extend the
initial 45-day moratorium, which will expire Sept. 11, according to
City Attorney Elaine Cass.
The City of Hollister will not allow new placements of billboards in Hollister for at least another 10 months, according to an ordinance passed by City Council on Tuesday.
The Council was legally mandated to decide whether to extend the initial 45-day moratorium, which will expire Sept. 11, according to City Attorney Elaine Cass.
Hollister officials instituted the first temporary ban Aug. 4 after a media company based in Davis expressed interest in putting up 12 billboards along San Felipe Road and Highway 156. Officials were concerned because the current local sign ordinance failed to address the legality of outdoor advertisements.
Late last week, the Spartan Media Company – under the name Matt Rogers – submitted an application with the city’s Planning Department. Rogers did not return phone calls Tuesday and he did not attend the Council meeting.
“There is a moratorium,” Cass said. “Essentially, the city is authorized to process applications, but is prohibited from approving them.”
Cass has said the city can legally restrict billboard dispersion by limiting the size of the signs. Officials have not decided whether to pursue an outright ban, according to Community Development Director Bill Card. Other cities, such as Monterey, have banned the signs altogether.
Officials said the ban is also timely because Hollister is currently updating its General Plan, which is a legal blueprint for growth. It includes several main elements, including zoning ordinances and policies dealing with billboards. The General Plan was most recently updated in 1995 and is expected to be finished in the spring of 2004.
City officials also said too many billboards could distract drivers and negatively affect “quality of life” in the community.
