Council Committee OKs Bus Bench Plan

The Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee approved a controversial plan by Councilman Hal Bernson Tuesday that would allow a company to sell advertising on bus benches.

But neighborhoods that object to advertising on benches may be able to buy their way out of the restrictions by purchasing their own benches.

Bernson and Councilwoman Laura Chick voted to establish a contract with Norman Bench Advertising to erect graffiti-resistant benches throughout the city. The plan is expected to go to the full council for a vote in the next few weeks.

Although the plan would add about 6,000 new bus benches citywide, advertising is prohibited in about 15 areas, including much of the Valley.

Bernson said the compromise and potential contract with Canoga Park-based Norman Bench Advertising were important for the city because the company was “the only one willing to talk to us, and they will not contract with us unless they can do the entire city. For these few people, we could lose bus benches for the entire city.”

In response to public concern about the benches in the advertising-free zones, Councilman Marvin Braude tacked on an amendment to the original proposal that would allow neighborhood or business groups to opt out of the city’s benches and purchase their own.

“It would really be no more than one dozen citywide,” Bernson said. “I think the amendment is a reasonable one.”

If the plan receives council approval and the bench company agrees, community Business Improvement Districts would be allowed to petition for exemption from the plan, according to Bernson.

The BIDs may replace the benches in their districts with ad-free cultural heritage- and arts council-approved designs.

Bernson said the committee vote puts the future of the plan in the hands of Norman Advertising officials, who could not be reached for comment. “If the company is willing to go along with the provisions, we’ll be fine,” he said. “It boils down to the old bugaboo: Money.”