Sign ordinance amended to allow electronic signs
Will be allowed in places of public assembly
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Places of public assembly, such as Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, will soon be allowed to install and use electronic marquee-type changeable copy signs at their facilities, according to an ordinance passed by the City Council Monday night.

The ordinance, which amends several sections of the city's development code, also gives business owners the power to permit the posting of temporary signs- including political signs- within 10 feet of the exterior entrance of their storefront.

Other sections of the development code impacted by the new ordinance address owneroccupancy of second dwelling units, zoning clearances and permit time extensions.

"I like the changes that are being made," Councilmember Barbra Williamson said. "I have mixed feelings about the electronic signs but I think it'll work. If it's done tastefully, with good design and landscaping around it, I'll support that."

Last June, the City Council reviewed sign regulations based on requests from community organizations such as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Simi Valley Senior Center to allow the electronic signs.

According to a city staff report, the new ordinance allows the electronic signs only in places of public assembly- theaters, churches, libraries, parks, sports facilities, cultural and community centers- as long as the signs do not appear to be in continuous motion, do not include graphics or pictures, do not exceed 40 square feet and only operate between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. if located within or near residential zones.

The messages on the sign also cannot change at a rate faster than one message every 30 seconds, and the intensity of the illumination cannot change or flash.

Members of the City Council agreed that the electronic signs be used only for monument signs no higher than eight feet in the air, and not for wallmounted signs.

"We don't want to see these things 40 feet up in the air like you see in other communities along the freeway," Councilmember Glen Becerra said.

The second reading of the ordinance will take place at the next meeting of the City Council on Monday, Feb. 11, and it will go into effect 30 days after final passage.