Coronado Adopts Newsrack Ordinance to Clean Up 'Eyesores'

CORONADO, CA — In an effort to clean up the mismatched accumulation of newsracks along Orange Avenue, the City Council has adopted new rules to create a more uniform and cleaner look.

The Council updated its newsrack ordinance at its Tuesday, Sept. 6, meeting to standardize the locations and appearance of all newsracks in the City, as well as improving their aesthetics and safety.

“This is an issue that impacts residents, businesses and visitors,” said City Manager Blair King. “The cleanliness and beauty of our commercial corridor is vital to our village atmosphere and a point of community pride. It’s time to clean up what has become an eyesore on our streets.”

The former ordinance was established in 1982, and amended in 1983 and 1985. Newsracks under the old ordinance were allowed in various sizes, colors and materials in addition to the newsracks housed in City-owned shells. This resulted in a hodgepodge of newsracks throughout the downtown. The City found that many communities use a standard design for all newsracks to allow for grouping in a more compact space.

The new ordinance will improve the safety and aesthetics of newsracks by reducing the space in which multiple newsracks can be located, using desired and safe locations, and requiring the use of a standardized shell purchased by the City. Existing newsracks already permitted by the City will be allowed to relocate to a City-provided newsrack shell. Installation of the new custom newsrack shells will take several months to complete.

— News release and photo from city of Coronado