Varied Ideas Discussed at Council's Workshop on Sign Regulations

A lengthy workshop on business sign regulations was held at the City Council's Tuesday meeting. 

The workshop continued a discussion begun at past meetings about ways to change sign regulations to make Poway more "pro-business." On Tuesday, the council was presented with city staff's proposed changes and heard suggestions from Powegians.

"We've taken everything we've heard so far and we put it into actual suggested recommendations," said Director of Development Services Bob Manis, who noted attendees at past meetings said the city's sign regulations "were a bit restrictive."

The staff report recommended several changes including:

• Allowing temporary banners to stand for up to 100 days rather than 52 days per year.
• Allowing one sandwich board per business, including one for each business per center, rather than prohibiting it as a whole.
• Allowing an additional freestanding sign for large shopping centers provided it follows certain criteria.

Poway Chamber of Commerce Chairman Paul Byrne said it was most important to keep regulations simple while not confusing "signage with trash." 

Community leader Joe St. Lucas said some recommendations, such as that of the temporary banners, were "probably a little bit extreme" because they would require more enforcement. 

Local businessman Kevin McNamara was perhaps most vocal among public comments. McNamara, who owns business property in Poway, thought recommendations were "getting so carried away."

In an email to city leaders, he also stated that the changes to sign regulations wouldn't resolve business problems. 

"Signage is not a cure-all for the recession, and this proposal smacks of desperation if nothing else," he wrote. "You'll definitely succeed, again, in lowering the bar in Poway if you approve this. You'd actually make Poway Road look worse."

The recommendations also drew varied opinions from council members. 

Councilwoman Merrilee Boyack recommended banning sandwich boards and said that she thought human sign spinners made areas "look junky." 

Her thoughts were echoed by Councilman John Mullin, who also noted that "human billboards are not ideal" while saying that the adopted regulations would have to make business smoother.

"We'd like to make it flexible so that you could comply," he said. 

Councilman Dave Grosch agreed on many recommendations but said the "key is enforcement."

"I wouldn't mind going to 100 days [for temporary banners] as long as it's enforced," he said. "Right now, I don't think we really enforce. If we're going to make rules, let's stand by them."

Mayor Don Higginson and Deputy Mayor John Cunningham also included their thoughts on each recommendation while Cunningham noted that some regulations could be temporary as a means for businesses to find success during the recession. 

The two also noted the importance of signage for community events.

"We are expanding our recreational activities and quality of life," Cunningham said. "We need to do more for the community signs, not less."

The topic of how to make the city of Poway more business-friendly by changing sign regulations was previously discussed at a  co-hosted by the , a July community meeting and at council meetings.

A proposed ordinance with the recommendations from council members will be presented at a future meeting. 

Other action:

• The council approved a plan to remove the Kent Sycamore, a Heritage Tree that an independent arborist believes is a threat to nearby residents. 
• Mark Weston, who will soon retire as the , was appointed to represent Poway on the board of directors for the San Diego County Water Authority.
• Community Services Director Robin Bettin provided an update on the to be held on Dec. 16-19. Bettin said the city has raised about $8,250 and also made a call for volunteers.
• Council members unanimously approved Jim Cunningham to serve as deputy mayor for another year.