When the Hollister council authorized Code Enforcement Mike Chambless to proactively enforce sign violations early this year, it meant the increasingly common sandwich-board signs in downtown would face scrutiny because they are prohibited in Hollister.
The sign ordinance addresses an array of potential code violations, a wide range of rules that lays out sign rules but also cover such issues as inappropriately parked RVs and boats or substandard housing. Council members’ directive – Chambless had been following a complaint-driven response system up until this year – meant that business owners might have to take down their sandwich board signs – otherwise known as A-frame signs – throughout downtown.
Now the business community, led by a request from the Hollister Downtown Association, would like to reexamine the sign ordinance and make room for certain types of such signs. The relatively smaller, mobile signs are often placed on public sidewalks and are used to promote specials or to simply garner attention from pedestrians along the main drag.
Council members at this week’s meeting responded and suspended the enforcement of A-frame signs in the downtown district for 120 days, so city officials could reexamine the rules.
“I think what we’re hoping for is a sign ordinance that allows the use of A-frame signs that go through a planning process and are permitted,” HDA Executive Director Brenda Weatherly said.
Weatherly said sandwich-board signs can “add to the ambiance” of a downtown – if done correctly.
“We can’t have a proliferation of just hundreds of signs because that’s not good,” she said. “We need to find that balance that’s aesthetically pleasing and works for the businesses.”
She was unaware what caused the city to initially heighten enforcement of the signs other than the the code enforcement division’s change in policy at the start of the year.
“Other than, the proliferation of signs got pretty bad,” she said.
Neither city planning official Abraham Prado nor Chambless could be reached immediately to discuss the sign rules or enforcement.
“We’re just hoping the planning department can come up with a workable solution,” Weatherly said.
A. The following signs are prohibited in the Hollister code:
1. Canvas signs, excluding awning signs, banners, pennants, flags, streamers, balloons, or other temporary or wind signs except as otherwise provided in sections entitled Exempt Signs, On-Site Sign Regulations, and Off-Site Sign Regulations of this chapter.
2. Mobile, A-frame and portable signs except as permitted on private property (see Section 17.20.050, Exempt Signs).
3. Roof or canopy signs extending above a building roof, except that with approval of a Master Sign Plan, a wall sign may be architecturally integrated into a sloping roof fascia or mansard roof.
4. Signs that resemble any official marker erected by the city, state, or any governmental agency, or that by reason of position, shape, color, or illumination would conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign or signal or would be a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
5. Signs which produce odor, sound, smoke, fire, or other such emissions.
6. Animated signs, flashing signs, moving signs, or rotating signs except as otherwise allowed in this chapter.
7. Window signs that exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the visible window glass panel area of a window in the Airport, Airport Support, General Commercial, Commercial Office, Downtown Commercial Mixed Use, Gateway Commercial, or Industrial District and commercial buildings or commercial portion of a building in the West Gateway and Mixed Use Zoning Districts. Window signs are prohibited in the Residential and Home Office Zoning Districts.
8. Off-site advertising signs except as provided for in the section entitled Master Sign Program.
9. Signs advertising commercial uses, child care homes, day care homes, residential care facilities, and similar uses on sites where the principal use is a residential dwelling unit unless otherwise allowed in this title or in accordance with State law.
10. Signs affixed to trees, shrubs, utility poles, traffic control devices, and the like.
11. Signs on any floor above the first floor unless approved by the Planning Commission or pursuant to adopted sign standards.
12. Abandoned signs.
13. Multi-faced signs of more than two surface areas of signage.
14. Billboards.
15. Neon signs in the Residential, Home Office and Downtown Commercial Mixed Use Zoning Districts.
