Planning commission recommends allowing political and city-sponsored signs in public right of way

Presiding Commissioner, Planning Commission presiding officer, said the commission will forward a change to the city's sign ordinance that would allow political signs and city-sponsored event signs in the public right of way after members discussed placement and examples. "Our current sign regulation doesn't allow posting, political signs in the public right of way. So this modifies that and allows posting of political signs in the public right of way," Presiding Commissioner said during the public hearing segment.

The commission discussed practical limits and definitions for the change. Commissioners referenced a placement guideline of about 13 feet off the pavement in some locations and emphasized that the existing restrictions on how long temporary signs may remain and other sign rules would remain unchanged. Commissioners also proposed permitting signs for "city-sponsored" or "city-specific" events (examples cited included Woodland Hills Days and other city celebrations). One commissioner noted past complaints when non-city advertisements appeared on public property and suggested limiting the amendment to events the city sponsors or explicitly endorses.

Commissioners discussed an existing sign at the bottom of the Summit Creek development and noted that property changes could affect whether a particular sign remains on site. The commission clarified that some signs currently near streets are on city property and that placement questions may require coordination with property owners and staff.

The commission moved and voted to forward the proposed ordinance change to the City Council for consideration. There were no members of the public present to comment during the hearing.

The Planning Commission's recommendation does not itself change city code; it sends the proposed language to the City Council for final action.