By Khalida Sarwari
As Saratoga moves toward the new year, one of the changes afoot will be the process by which the city decides which signs can go up in city medians.
Earlier this month, Saratoga officials passed a resolution amending the city code regulating banners and signs in the medians. To that end, the city council unanimously approved an ordinance modifying sections of the Saratoga City Code pertaining to zoning to prohibit banners and other signs in city medians except for those in accordance with the policy. The action follows the adoption of a median banner policy by the council in September that amends the criteria for posting median banners and signs.
The new policy establishes the median banner policy, directs city staff to install the infrastructure for banners and amends the city code so that banners and signs that don’t meet the new criteria are prohibited from city medians.
Under the amended policy, in order for banners to be placed in medians, they must announce an event that is either noncommercial or will be held in Saratoga, open to the general public, and held by a nonprofit or an individual or group without charge, or an individual or group with a charge for the purpose of fundraising for a nonprofit.A noncommercial event is described as one that “does not promote a business or the sale of a good, service or other commodity.”
The application process for individuals or groups that want to advertise their noncommercial events includes a $30 per location rental fee or $210 for all locations, and a 14-day time period that banners can be posted per event. Previously, requests for banners were granted on a case-by-case basis and approved through a special event permit process.
The seven city-owned median sites are the intersection of Fruitvale and Allendale avenues, Saratoga Sunnyvale Road near Walnut Avenue, Saratoga Sunnyvale Road near Prospect Road, Prospect Road and Highway 85 near Plumas Drive, Saratoga Avenue near Westview Drive, Saratoga Avenue near the Highway 85 intersection and the intersection of Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues.
These locations were chosen because they are high-traffic areas, are relatively safe and don’t interfere with other signs, and the medians are wide enough to accommodate the banners. The proposed infrastructure for the banners is two 5-foot detachable steel signposts at each location, with a purchase and installation cost of $5,000.
Private banners are permitted in these locations when the location isn’t being used by the city. Once a year for 14 days prior to the first Sunday in May, the city manager can approve locations that aren’t on the list as well as banners that don’t meet the policy’s standards, as long as they are consistent with the city’s sign regulations. During that period, private event banners are allowed in city medians other than the seven locations on certain conditions.
According to the city, the overall goal of the new policy is to help inform residents and others of community events, offer event organizers another opportunity to promote their events, establish guidelines and offer appropriate areas for event banners in city medians, and maintain roadway safety by establishing a clear and concise policy for proper placement of private banners.
Want to promote an event with a banner? Check with city first
