Council Moves to Boost Business During Ortega Construction

If you start noticing more directional signs around town and businesses with more banners, you’re not seeing things.

The San Juan Capistrano City Council took several actions Tuesday to help out businesses during the Ortega Highway interchange project, which began in February and is expected to include periodic closures of the bridge over the I-5.

“This is going to be a struggle for all the businesses,” said Mark Bodenhamer, CEO for the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce. “These things that you’re doing really mean a lot to the businesses.”

The council passed an urgency ordinance – which means it goes into effect immediately – to make its sign laws more flexible. Businesses will be able to erect more temporary signs, banners and window signs.

Staff has come up with a template to bring uniformity to the banners and “to avoid the appearance of clutter or blight,” a report to the council says. When businesses choose to use the templates, the city will waive the $30 permit fee.

The urgency ordinance is only good for 45 days, but the council can re-enact it and keep it in place for a total of two years.

Meanwhile, soon, more than a dozen small street signs will start popping up around town to direct motorists to the heart of shopping, dining and entertainment in San Juan Capistrano.

“In the event they have to close the off-ramps, and if you get off at Junipero Serra [Road], you can make your way into town,” said Mayor John Taylor.

Councilman Sam Allevato the signs are likely to become permanent. The design is not unlike many of the signs around town already.

In a third, separate item, the council reduced the fees for organizations to hold non-sporting events at Historic Town Center Park.

Several business owners urged the council to pass what they see as life-saving measures.

“Do everything you can to make this truly a business friendly community,” said Tom Scott, who runs the Camino Real Playhouse.

“In all the time we’ve had in this town, we’ve never had anything like we’re about to encounter,” said Steve Denault of Denault TrueValue Hardware.