Hollister City Council members are set to consider broadly
revamping the sign ordinance to foster more flexibility on
commercial properties and over public right of ways while limiting
use of free-standing, sandwich-board signs to just the downtown
area.
Hollister City Council members are set to consider broadly revamping the sign ordinance to foster more flexibility on commercial properties and over public right of ways while limiting use of free-standing, sandwich-board signs to just the downtown area.
The sign ordinance update approved late last week by the Hollister Planning Commission also would create new planning designations – for city gateways and creativity – to allow more leeway in those areas.
The update is part of the general plan revision approved in December 2005. Sign provisions are a section of the zoning ordinance.
Hollister Planning Manager Mary Paxton pointed to several glaring changes in the new draft.
The number of signs allowed on commercial properties would increase to allow for multiple street-front fixtures – as opposed to allowing only one at 20 feet high under the current law.
There would be more flexibility in how the city calculates square footage of signs – the new rules would not include the sign’s base in the equation.
Signs that project from store fronts would be allowed over public right of ways – not just private properties. Paxton said it’s part of an intent to create a more pedestrian-friendly downtown.
It emphasizes use of more channel lettering instead of cabinet lettering because, she said, it’s a “nicer, cleaner look.”
There would be more flexibility to use “open house” signs for real estate advertising.
Sandwich-board signs would not be allowed on public property except downtown.
It would push for more monument signs that are fixed to the ground.
Planning Commissioner David Huboi said the panel in its deliberations made a push to get the message out to the business community and commission members received positive feedback, particularly from real-estate professionals.
He called it a “complex ordinance” addressing a variety of land uses, sign types and sign heights. He noted the addition of gateway and creativity designations and said it’s “important to have guidelines and measures” for those sign types.
Of the updated draft, he said, “It protects our small-town character and identity.”
Some prohibited signs under the ordinance
Canvas signs, excluding awnings, banners, penants, flags, streamers and others noted in the code
Mobile, A-frame and portable signs except in downtown district
Roof or canopy signs extending above a building roof
Signs that produce odor, sound, smoke, fire or other such emissions
Signs affixed to trees, shrubs, utility poles or traffic devices
Signs on any floor above the first unless approved by planning commission
Billboards
For a copy of the sign ordinance draft, go to
