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500 more Billboards in Lake County |
By Philip Murphy
Another step toward turning Lake County into a Bay Area suburb was recently made when the Planning Commission approved a plan to change current zoning regulations to add 542 new locations throughout the county where billboards can be placed. Clearlake Oaks could have 113 more, Middletown 109, and Kelseyville could get 98 new 400 square foot signs if the board of supervisors approves the plan when it's discussed on March 8th at 10:15. Oddly enough, the new rules would mean the removal of one existing sign, an action described by the Community Development Department as "An equitable trade" for the 542 new sites being made available. In another bit of warped logic they also suggested creating a design review committee comprised solely of entities with a direct vested interest in promoting more billboards, with no input from the general public or environmental groups. Obviously only a fraction of the 542 locations are suitable for billboard placement and the actual number of new signs cluttering up the view will likely be in the several dozen range, but even so they will have a dramatic and permanent negative effect on the local vistas.
The time to act is now, as new permit applications for signs have already been made in anticipation of the change, and even if people decide later that we need to go back to the old rules the signs already in place will likely be Grand fathered in, so we'll be stuck with them forever. Please take a few minutes and let your supervisor know that you want the existing rules to remain and to not cave in to the special interests pushing this plan. Call them at 263-2368 and leave a message for them or send an e-mail (check the county website for addresses) or attend the meeting.
Philip Murphy, Lakeport 279-9836
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