Vandalized Measure B Signs Have Both Sides Pointing Fingers

Campaign drama is heating up—and it's all about political signs.

Rumors began swirling this week about the tactics being deployed by Measure B supporters and opponents alike as the campaign over the June 7 ballot measure intensifies. Each side has reported vandalism to its campaign signs, and code enforcement has issued violation notices for the size of some of the "Yes" signs.

But the two sides have some common ground: They’re discouraged by the others’ tactics. They each say this election should be about informing voters, not about “winning."

The ballot measure centers on the development of La Novia Avenue on a 46-acre site owned by Lake Forest-based land developers. I to include a mixed-use project they say is a better  for San Juan Capistrano than previous development rights permitted on the property. The new plan includes a 500-horse equestrian center, retail outlets and 230-plus homes/condos/apartments.

A "No" vote on Measure B would dismantle the City Council's changes, and revert the development rights back to those approved in the 1980s: 400 homes; a public institution building, such as a school, and a 300-bed hotel.

What's primarily at issue now is the size of the "Yes" signs posted on the Advanced Real Estate Services property on La Novia Avenue. It's the same site where the disputed

The Yes campaign is being led, and primarily financed by, ARES, and is supported by many of the town's movers and shakers. A spokesman for the campaign said he believes the city's notices were wrongly issued, as the signs are on private property. He said they're working with the city to resolve the matter. 

"Since these signs went up, they have been repeatedly vandalized and in the last eight days we’ve had a number of  Yes on B signs stolen throughout town. In some instances, our supporters have felt the need to file police reports," said Stephen Gregg, a spokesman for the Yes campaign.

City code, which in this case applies to both private and public land, reads: "No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height if freestanding, six (6) square feet in area, and shall be located below the roof eaves if building-mounted."

Measure B opponents say the developers are thumbing their noses at city laws, which require signs to be smaller than 6-by 6-feet. They, too, say their signs have been vandalized, and in some cases, uprooted.

“It shows the disregard they have for a fair election. It shows that they’re only interested in winning; not in obeying” local laws, said resident John Perry, one of the men who led the referendum to put the project on the ballot.

A similar statement was issued by Gregg: "We think it is unfortunate that people are spending so much time and effort destroying signs as opposed to trying to convince the educated voters in San Juan that they are right.

Here are other codes pertaining to campaign signs:

Election Signs. Signs related to a national, state or local election including candidates and/or other issues located on private property, subject to the permission of the property owner and the following standards;

• No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height if freestanding, six (6) square feet in area, and shall be located below the roof eaves if building-mounted.
• No sign shall be illuminated, revolve, or otherwise function with mechanical parts or devices;
• No sign shall include flags, valances, pennants, lights or other similar attraction devices;
• Signs shall not be supported from any tree, utility pole or other utility installation on private or public property;
• Signs shall be posted no more than thirty (30) days prior to the election date which they notice.
• Temporary signs shall be placed no less than fifty (50) feet apart from identical or substantially similar temporary signs, and in no case shall more than one temporary sign per candidate or ballot issue position be allowed per parcel.
• Signs shall be taken down and removed no later than five (5) days following the election date.