Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre asked how the policy would affect businesses in shopping centers. And Mayor Ralph Fernandez said, “What we’re dealing here with basically are alcoves... when you talk about the mall you don’t have that,” but rather just sidewalks.Gonzales indicated a policy would not apply to private property, but Bobkiewicz pointed out that alcoves are considered same.To expand the policy to other areas is an “open-ended dialogue that I don’t think we could resolve tonight,” and Councilman Fred Robinson suggested considering the policy as presented.“I think the library would be included as a business,” noted Fernandez. As a public entity, said Berger, the city cannot apply zone regulations against another public entity.Bobkiewicz said he would have staff redraft the ordinance and continue the item at a future meeting.
Council asks for more details about outdoor display policy
January 16, 2009
Santa Paula City Council
The proposed ordinance on outdoor displays went back inside after the City Council asked for more clarification and how the policy change might impact merchants outside the Downtown Business District.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe proposed ordinance on outdoor displays went back inside after the City Council asked for more clarification and how the policy change might impact merchants outside the Downtown Business District. City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said staff was recommending the new policy that would allow displays on what is considered private property only - such as stores with alcoves - have a two-year sunset clause tied to the need of possible monitoring activities.Councilman Bob Gonzales asked exactly what the parameters of the Downtown Business District are, noting, “There has been some inconsistency over the years” on borders, and consistency is needed in such mapping.After research, Planning Director Janna Minsk said the Central Business District is defined as East Main Street form 8th to 11th streets, and Gonzales asked if the parameters also included side streets where the new policy might also apply. “I’m concerned if we don’t include” side streets, said Gonzales, as “we will be creating a problem for ourselves because we don’t designate those as being in the Downtown Business District.”There are a variety of ways the ordinance could be addressed, and City Attorney Karl Berger said staff had selected the “easiest way” that would avoid creating new code language and a mandated EIR to create a new zone for a specific purpose, and creating an application process for those seeking outdoor displays would simplify matters.Gonzales suggested a change of language from the Downtown Business District could be considered that would forestall other merchants from “saying how come they can do it and we can’t?”
