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Sign sweep nets 119
City plans another, tougher dragnet against illegal signs
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
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Saturday’s crackdown on illegal signs on city streets netted 119 offenders, most of them belonging to developers advertising new-home subdivisions, city of Napa Code Enforcement Officer Jane Thomson reported.

During a four-hour sweep, Thomson said she collected two pickup loads’ worth of signs stuck in planter and median strips or blocking the sidewalk.
Many owners of illegal A-frame signs apparently responded to the city’s advance warning by not putting them out or placing them off the public right of way, Thomson said.

Owners who lost signs on Saturday will be sent letters telling them that they can be picked up at Corporation Yard on Jackson Street, Thomson said.
Illegal signs in the public right of way have become increasingly popular as an extra way for businesses and subdivisions to advertise themselves, Thomson said. Her office was responding to a corresponding rise in public complaints, she said.

Several sign owners complained that it was unfair that downtown stores are allowed A-frame signs on the sidewalk, but businesses outside downtown are not, she said.
“I said, ‘Write your council member,’” Thomson said. It would take a change in the city code to make all A-frames legal, she said.

The sign sweep, from Imola Avenue to Trancas Street between Silverado Trail and areas west of the freeway, was intended to send a message, Thomson said.

No tickets were written Saturday. Instead, signs owners will be told what’s permitted and what’s not, she said.

In March, Thomson will do another sweep on a Saturday or Sunday. Violators will be given citations. A first-time violator can be fined $100.

Thomson noted that even downtown business owners do not have carte blanche as to where they can put A-frames. They must be within 15 feet of their front doors.
12 comment(s)

duh wrote on Mar 6, 2007 7:33 AM:

" Sat is not a good day. Try any week day. Thats when most signs are out. "

~K~ wrote on Mar 6, 2007 8:09 AM:

" why let them get there signs back if they were warned. I say throw them away and send them a bill. "

John wrote on Mar 6, 2007 10:29 AM:

" Mark Van Gorder and Jane Thompson need to focus on more important code violations and city issues! Free speech and free enterprise do not need more government regulation or policing. Those who propose otherwise will soon find the government encroaching on "freedoms" they hold dear. Be careful what you wich for. As far as the signs are concerned, keep them out of the right-of-ways and line-of-sight for traffic, but let the business and venues have their signs! "

Tom wrote on Mar 6, 2007 11:13 AM:

" When will the City and County begin enforcing the laws that pertain to maximum occupancy for a residence (currently 2 per bedroom I beleive) and parking of cars on lawns? "

To Tom wrote on Mar 6, 2007 1:18 PM:

" I complained about the parking of cars on lawns in a City Council Meeting, and my neighbor PAVED it over. No further visits from Jane thereafter. How about that? !!! "

napamartha wrote on Mar 6, 2007 2:01 PM:

" What about enforcing the illegal parking of boats, trailers and motorhomes? They are certainly more unsightly than A-frame signs! "

Maguire vs American Canyon wrote on Mar 6, 2007 7:42 PM:

" According to the law suit- Maguire vs American Canyon, cities can not regulate political signs, can not ban them from public property, can not regulate how long they are visible. Why can they regulate business advertisments, the heart of the first amendment? One man's advertisment is another man's freedom of speech. What a brilliant decision. Sue happy!! "

vince wrote on Mar 6, 2007 8:43 PM:

" You know the rules, now play by them, or close your doors. Stop Whining and keep Napa free from clutter or move to vallejo. "

Less we offend! LOL wrote on Mar 7, 2007 4:03 AM:

" How about the other city ordanences that are being broken. The one about RV's, large trucks and vans that block the view of traffic. Ask the victim of the car hit coming out of 790 Lincol Ave. they got hit almost to the railroad tracks by a Black Tie Cab. An lets not for get that car in the side yard of the house at Pueblo and Beard Rd. it's been there for years.....oops! I must not have been wearing my blinders! "

There is......... wrote on Mar 7, 2007 4:07 AM:

" Tom I have never heard of that law. If its correct then all the new low income properties need checking ...... there are up to 5 kids sharing a bedroom in some apts. "

duh duh wrote on Mar 8, 2007 4:21 PM:

" If she went out on the weekdays she doesn't receive over time on her pay check. "

Jo wrote on Mar 12, 2007 11:07 AM:

" I can't say I find the signs attractive, but then very little about this town is much to look at. People in most parts of town seem to take pride in what there homes look like. Lawns are unkempt and full of trash, junk cars etc. Some will say it's because they're rentals. No excuse I've been a renter and always kept up the homes as if they were my own. I've been across a good portion of Minnesota and other states and never saw a shabby yard or junk cars filling up a driveway and yards. Was recently in Lodi. Their old town puts ours to shame, all home were neatly groomed with no apartments tucked in between. Also they have a senior center that puts ours to shame. Why doesn't this town have stricter ordinances. I keep hearing about this world=class city that everyone wants to come to. WHY? "

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