In Vista, California, a proposed sign ordinance is leaving many heads spinning.
The North County Times reports that the Vista Planning Commission recently examined a proposed ordinance banning sign twirlers and
car-mounted signs. The panel heard different arguments from local business owners, who are adamant about keeping the spinning signs in place.
"These people who invented sign twirling are just ingenious," said Cliff Kaiser, chairman of the chamber of commerce's board of directors, in an interview with the news source. "They [the businesses] are getting their message out, and to say we can't have them here in Vista is just insane."
In addition, the proposed regulations would forbid the use of mobile billboards, which include cars specifically designed to advertise products. It would also ban billboards on parked vehicles, costumed mannequins and people carrying advertisements on sidewalks.
The ordinance aims to "avoid visual clutter, distractions for motorists and degradation to the aesthetics of the community," according to the Times. Yet many feel that the new restrictions would keep businesses from getting the word out.
"This [proposed ordinance] seems fairly restrictive and will affect a lot of businesses here in town," Commissioner Bill Martin said in an interview with the news source.
Many communities have found themselves in the middle of sign ordinance battles in recent weeks. ColumbusLocalNews.com reports that in Liberty Township, Ohio, the town recently began allowing businesses to put out sidewalk signs in front of their establishments. Many companies have found that this has helped to drive business their way.
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