Alhambra : Council Refuses to Ban Sign

Residents have lost the latest round in their battle to ban construction of a 78-foot-tall advertising sign near their homes.

Monday night, the City Council declined to pass a resolution suspending a construction permit for the sign. City Atty. Leland Dolley had advised council members that the resolution might violate a permit agreement between the city and Almansor Court Inc., which wants to erect the sign.

Residents say the free-standing sign, to be located just south of the San Bernardino Freeway near 6th Street, would be inappropriate for a residential area and could reduce property values.

Almansor Court spokesmen said the sign is needed to increase business at the municipal golf course and the Almansor Court restaurant there. The $6.5-million restaurant was developed as a public-private partnership between the city and Almansor Court Inc.

City staff said the sign would be exempt from the city’s commercial sign ordinance because it would qualify as a government sign. The Almansor Court restaurant is privately owned but on city property.

After a public hearing Nov. 14, the City Council voted, 3-2, to approve a General Plan amendment and zone change that permitted installation of the sign.

At Monday’s council meeting, resident Jim Wenck said the sign would violate state regulations because it would be more than 1,000 feet from an existing commercial use.

Brad Perrin, secretary and chief financial officer for Almansor Court Inc., said state transportation officials inspected the site and issued him a permit for the sign.

A disappointed Wenck told the council: “I guess we’ll see you in court.”