AIA/LA TELLS PLANNING COMMISSION TO SLOW DOWN AND HIRE A DESIGNER

AIA/LA TELLS PLANNING COMMISSION TO SLOW DOWN AND HIRE A DESIGNER 

For Immediate Release

 

Los Angeles, CA – February 19, 2009 – Today, the American Institute of Architects (AIA/LA), Director of Government & Public Affairs, Will Wright, in testimony to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission, requested that the Commission delay action and continue consideration of a revised sign ordinance until comprehensive visual analysis of the proposed regulations is completed.

 

In a letter to the Commission and the Department of Planning, AIA/LA also recommends that the Department immediately convene a panel of outside experts or a consultant team with design expertise to work with City staff to review, illustrate, and contribute to the refinement of the draft sign code.

 

"This is more than just an abstract policy issue about square footage of signs and digital media in the public right-of-way. No substantive visual analysis has been completed to date. This is a design issue that impacts the environmental quality, indeed brand, of Los Angeles and nobody knows what it looks like," states AIA/LA President John Kaliski.

 

For more information:

Will Wright

Director, Government & Public Affairs

(213) 639-0777

will@aialosangeles.org

AIA/LA, The LA Chamber of Commerce, The Central City Association, The Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight were all victorious in seeking a continuance on signage regulations today at the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission hearing.

Public Design Advocates, Business Leaders, Billboard proponents and many others called for a delay Thursday on the city of Los Angeles' proposed ordinance revising the city's sign regulation. The City Planning Commission voted to retain a distinction between on-site and off-site signage but will meet next week to further discuss a timeline for revisions to the ordinance. The Chamber and business leaders want the city to evaluate the economic impacts associated with implementing the citywide ordinance. 

For a link to the proposed sign ordinance:  http://cityplanning.lacity.org/Code_Studies/Other/StaffReportOrd.pdf

FROM TODAY'S LA TIMES:

L.A. billboard vote delayed by Planning Commission

1:27 PM | February 19, 2009

The Los Angeles Planning Commission on Thursday postponed taking action on a proposed ordinance regulating all new billboards and commercial signs in the city.

Anti-billboard advocates, community groups and business representatives all urged the delay during a four-hour hearing in City Hall, saying the proposal was fraught with problems and that more public comment was necessary. The commission was expected to vote on the ordinance. The measure would outlaw new billboards, including digital displays, and supergraphics that are hung along the sides of buildings. Overall, the space allowed for new signage would shrink to one-quarter of what is currently permitted.

The commission decided to postpone consideration of the measure until its March 12 meeting and appointed a committee of four commissioners to review suggested revisions introduced at the two public hearings on the ordinance.

In December, the City Council imposed a three-month moratorium on all new signs, with a provision allowing two 45-day extensions, to buy time to replace the mishmash of codes and court rulings that regulate outdoor advertising in the city.

-- Phil Willon