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The SFPD giving permission to certain businesses to install and maintain promotional mini-billboards on public property all of which violate local, state and federal codes. The problem with this is that neither the police nor business owners are above the law Right? We all support our police, however we do not support anyone circumventing the law. The job of public officials is to protect and enhance the public right-a-way for all residents, visitors and workers by regulating its use through the rule of law. Surely it is not representing particular special interests or giving away our community property rights Right?
Please do a story to help cleanup city government and our urban environment.
1) Neither the City of San Francisco, State of California nor the Federal Government issues Use Permits for anyone to place an advertising / promotional mini-billboard on public property. Fact is these signs violate each and every law relating to signage and declares such sign to be a Public Nuisance and a Criminal Misdemeanor.
2) If the city allowed advertising / promotional mini-billboard on public property, there would FIRST have to be an open public hearing, not a back room agreement between a few individuals and the police Right?
3) Also you would have to meet the same criteria other individuals have to meet with regards to encroachments on public property. This includes a) meeting ADA Code requirements, Planning and DPW regulations regarding number of signs, size and placement, b) the payment of a fee for use of public space, c) and businesses would have to purchase a Million Dollar Liability Insurance indemnifying the City.
4) THEN TOO SINCE THE CITY HAS A SUBSTANTIAL AND COMPELLING INTEREST IN PROMOTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE AND CONVENIENCE OF ITS CITIZENS AND VISITORS BY ENSURING THAT PUBLIC STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC WAYS ARE NOT BE OBSTRUCTED WITH UNLAWFUL ENCROACHMENTS.
5) Our laws and regulations recognize that signs and other advertising devices are essential to a vital commercial district. We have codes and regulations with this in mind and to protect the livability of residential units within commercial areas and our community’s overall economic well-being and quality of life. How do you address the contradiction between the Planning Code Article 6 ñ Sign which states: NO SIGN SHALL BE PLACED UPON ANY PUBLIC STREET, ALLEY, SIDEWALK, PUBLIC PLAZA, OR RIGHT-A-WAY, OR IN ANY PORTION OF A TRANSIT SYSTEM.
6) Our laws promote equality among business establishments whereas your approach is where anyone can decide for themselves the size, shape, location and number of signs placed upon community property. The existing anything goes approach is an unfair business practice since some businesses are forced to pay for use of public space and must meet other requirements. The law recognizes the need to maintain attractiveness in order to encourage customers and potential new businesses alike. Physical amenities and a pleasant appearance will profit both existing and new enterprises. Your signs weaken overall property values and undermine the commercial district.
7) The advertising / promotional mini-billboards you refer to have been found to diminish our public investment in and the character and dignity of public buildings, public spaces and thoroughfares. They degrade the distinctive appearance of San Francisco and promote unsound business practices and increase the objectionable effects of competition in respect to size and placement of signs, merchandise, etc.
8) Your signs are declared hazards to motorists and pedestrians.
9) The methods employed by a business owner are very much more important then the objective he hopes to achieve, since we must all live with the methods, whereas his objective may or may not be realized.
10) The law recognizes that these promotional signs visually pollute our urban landscape. Like litter and graffiti they are more intrusive then junk mail or Internet spam. Day after day they victimize the public by forcing them to live with degraded neighborhoods and thoroughfares. Furthermore they promote a perception that the laws protecting community can be disregarded with impunity. This fosters a sense of anything goes and no one cares, which other thoughtless people emulate thereby perpetuating and spreading blight and disorder, all of which is inconsistent with our community goals and aesthetic standards while diverts limited public resources for maintenance and code enforcement.
11) A sense of order is extremely important not only to those who live and work in a particular area, but equally to those traveling through on their way home, to shop, jobs, or simply taking in the urban landscape. The California Resource Agency, responsible businesses and corporations, Bay Area conservation and planning organizations, nonprofit organizations dedicated to low-income housing, all endorse the fact that existing neighborhoods must be adequately maintained and cared for to remain desirable places to live and work. To achieve this objective demands a significant investment in time, money and effort; obviously we cannot allow it to be undermined by abusive activity of some merchants.
12) Lawfully placed business identity signs are effective and more importantly they do not infringe on the rights of others, blight our community, perpetuate and spread disorder and violate the law.
The quality of a place should be embodied in the fine-grain details, not just the sweeping views.
And that means taking pride in the day-to-day appearance of where you live your lives.î
San Francisco Chronicle / Thursday, April 28th, 2005
In summary it is imperative that residents and business owners are treated fairly and equitably. This requires that all illegal signs be permanently removed from our public right-a-way. Business owners possess constructive knowledge and have no legal defense for violating the law, i.e. others do it, I need it to stay in business, the police allow it. As a responsible, tax paying citizen we demand our rights to be protected against abuse, neglect and public corruption. Let’s see to it that all illegal signs are immediately and permanently removed from public property. Please keep me informed on the progress of this issue. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Beth Feinstein
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April 19th, 2007 at 1:13 am
On the one hand it’s a nice relief to see someone recognise that corporate billboards can be ugly, too, not just graffiti.
I note your post is written like a politician’s spiel in a voter pamphlet. Are you related to the Feinstein we all know and…well, we all know OF…
Also, I am curious as to which billboards are bothersome to you. You say they’re in the way. Of what? Is it their content that bothers you or the billboardness itself no matter what is advertising there.
I’ve got an intuition that perhaps I know which billboard in particular you are bothered by, so would you be so kind as to point it out?
Finally, about your saying:
10) The law recognizes that these promotional signs visually pollute our urban landscape. Like litter and graffiti they are more intrusive then junk mail or Internet spam. Day after day they victimize the public by forcing them to live with degraded neighborhoods and thoroughfares. Furthermore they promote a perception that the laws protecting community can be disregarded with impunity. This fosters a sense of anything goes and no one cares, which other thoughtless people emulate thereby perpetuating and spreading blight and disorder, all of which is inconsistent with our community goals and aesthetic standards
Hold on - our? Who is the our you are speaking for?
I know I’m sort of a lone wolf here, but that’s because this blog is stacked against people who find too much order stifling, who find chaos healthy.
There IS such a thing as a surfeit of either, both of which lead to entropy. The balance of chaos and order supports life. Order restricts, chaos frees. Restriction and freedom alike must be balanced for either to work in positive ways.
A sense of order is extremely important not only to those who live and work in a particular area, but equally to those traveling through on their way home, to shop, jobs, or simply taking in the urban landscape.
Beth, this is an opinion, not a fact. I enjoy chaos as long as it’s not violent and doesn’t pollute the planet with things that ruin air and water, upon which all life depends. That’s not opinion, but fact. That I prefer a sound balance is also an opinion, but I speak only for myself. Why are you speaking for an entire city?