Banner Days Are in Store as Council Lifts Ban on Signs

A ban on banners has been lifted, but who gets to hang them and where has yet to be determined.

The City Council will consider adopting guidelines for hanging signs across public streets, which Mayor Chris Norby said would provide a “hometown atmosphere.”

One proposal would allow banners to hang on four bridges over two busy streets. The bridges include three over Harbor Boulevard between Santa Fe Avenue and Valencia Drive, and another across Chapman Avenue at Fullerton College.

That plan, prompted by a request from a museum that wanted to hang banners advertising a recent car show, does not say how long a banner could be on display or if a fee would be charged.

Council members plan to decide those issues in July.

Meanwhile, the officials gave themselves permission to hang banners advertising the city’s Fourth of July celebration on the Harbor and Chapman bridges.

In other city business Tuesday, the council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, approved a $50,000 loan to a business owner who will open a Mexican-style restaurant. Another loan for $40,000 was approved for a deli-style coffee shop. The no-interest loans will be paid back in 10 years and the money will be used to rehabilitate two historic buildings where the separate businesses will open, officials said.

The council tabled discussion on how to shorten its public meetings, which sometimes last six hours or more when residents exceed their three-minute speaking allowance.