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Placerville business owners urge changes to inconsistent signage enforcement; council agrees to review
Summary
Multiple small-business owners told the council Feb. 25 that sign rules are being enforced inconsistently on Placerville Drive and Main Street; council members said they would investigate enforcement equity and the sign ordinance’s applicability across different commercial areas.
Several Placerville business owners told the City Council on Feb. 25 that inconsistent enforcement of sign regulations is harming small businesses and unfairly favors larger tenants.
“My name is Jeremy Travis. I—m a small business owner on Placerville Drive,” Travis told the council. “The current restrictions on signage and advertising have made it incredibly difficult for us to attract customers and sustain our businesses.”
Other speakers echoed those concerns. Robin De Brueler, a Placerville Drive business owner, described having to remove a political poll sign and then repeat compliance steps when a new owner took over. “We do not feel like you—re after the best interest of the small business owners,” she said. Josh Amy, owner of a building-supply business on Placerville Drive, described receiving a cease-and-desist letter within days of installing banners and said the upcoming bridge project at Placerville Drive could further reduce visibility for road-front businesses.
Council members acknowledged the breadth of the concern and said the city historically wrote sign ordinances with Main Street in mind. Mayor Clerici said she would direct staff to look into the matter. “I think we should look into it,” she said. Another council member noted city banners paid for by a foundation are treated differently than private banners and urged staff to consider modern notice methods beyond the newspaper for public review periods.
Council members warned against an unrestricted approach: one member said sign ordinances exist because “people have abused that right in this town,” and cautioned that loosening the rules without controls could create visual clutter.
The council did not take immediate action; members asked staff to report back with options for clearer, more equitable enforcement of sign regulations and to consider updates to the municipal code and public-notice methods.
