Council Approves Village Signs, Talks Plastic Bag Ban

It was a big night for Capitola Village businesses on Thursday, as the city council made strides in helping their advertising efforts. 

For years, it has been illegal for Village merchants to put signs on the sidewalk promoting their stores. City officials say this is because the sidewalk is already narrow and signs impede pedestrians. However, like so many other laws in Capitola, the sign ban has rarely been enforced, and signs often litter the Village sidewalks.

But the council made strides toward approving a new and improved sign plan at this week's meeting. See details below. 

Here are the top five moments of Thursday's meeting:

1. The council approved the first reading of an ordinance that sets in motion a new sidewalk sign program for Capitola Village. By a 3-2 vote (Stephanie Harlan and Mayor Mike Termini voted no), the council moved to allow two-sided signs that are all 18 inches wide, 58 inches tall and six inches back from the curb.

The signs are to be installed on poles bored into the sidewalk. Only 30 signs will be approved for the whole Village on a first-come-first-served basis. Signs cannot be closer than 30-feet apart. Signs can only be placed on sidewalks that are at least 78 inches wide. Permits will be given at $500 apiece. 

The new signage program will have to be approved by the Coastal Commission at the end of 2012, at which point it a 12-month trial period will begin.

Harlan and Termini objected to the sign idea largely because of the aesthetics and the process.

"I hate that," Termini said pointing to a sample sign in Council Chambers. "This is a perfect example of what happens when a committee designs something. I wish I could feel good about it because I want to support the businesses."

Termini also predicted chaos when it comes to businesses vying for one of the 30 precious signs.

"I predict a mad rush not unlike the Hunger Games, and to all the business owners, may the odds be ever in your favor," he said.

2. The council discussed a potential plastic bag ban at length. The ban would extend to all businesses with the exception of restaurants and vegetable-like bags at grocery stores. Paper bags would then cost 10¢ each, in an effort to increase the use of reusable bags.

"It's time right now to make this ban county-wide," Councilmember Dennis Norton said. "The public is asking for this and I think now is the time to act."

But Councilmember Kirby Nicol vehemently disagreed, and went on to read a 10-minute diatribe against plastic bag bans and environmentalists, naming those in favor of the ban "the green jihad."

The council eventually made a negative decalration, meaning they declared the potential ban will have no negative impact on the environment. They will revisit the ban discussion in 60 days.

3. Local business owner Carin Hanna reported to the council that the Traffic and Parking Commission would like to see rates in the upper Pacific Cove Parking Lot increased from 30 minutes for 25¢ to 20 minutes for 25¢. She said this would increase yearly revenue in the lot from approximately $80,000 up to $150,000. The Traffic and Parking Commission would then like those dollars to go to a restricted fund designated for building and maintaining a parking structure in that area.

4. Capitola resident Sandy Erickson asked the council take away the local lifeguards' ability to drive a pick-up truck on the beach.

"Anybody who thinks driving a pick-up through all the people on the beach is okay needs to have something examined," she said.

Erickson also asked the council for increased no-smoking signage on the Esplanade, a $1,000 fine for skateboarders in the Village and a sidewalk on Park Avenue.

"I promise you we will have a sidewalk down Park Avenue well before you break your hip," Mayor Termini told her.

5. Capitola Police Chief Rudy Escalante said that on July 4, Capitola Police responded to 111 calls, 14 of which were for fireworks violations. They made four arrests for public intoxication, handed out 17 citations, and had a DUI checkpoint. He also said that in 2011, five citations were given for skateboarding in the Village and that two have been given this year, including one on July 4. In addition, he said that two Esplanade smoking citations have been given this year and one dog on the beach citation. 

What do you think of the new sign ordinance in the Village? Thoughts on a plastic bag ban? Anything else you want to sound off about? Tell us in the comments!

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