County : Pilot Program to Govern Subdivision Signs OKd

Concerned by “unsightly and confusing” distractions to motorists and residents, the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved a pilot program to regulate the size and location of signs directing motorists to new housing developments.

The supervisors said the initial program will cover the Lake Forest and El Toro unincorporated areas, stretching northeast to Santiago Canyon Road. If it is successful, the boundaries may be expanded to other unincorporated areas of the county.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez, whose district includes the pilot program area, said there is “a great deal of community support” to regulate signs that spring up along roads and highways whenever a developer has a new subdivision for sale.

The ordinance establishing the program goes into effect in 30 days. It says that the signs are aesthetically “unsightly and damaging” as well as unsafe and distracting for drivers.

The Building Industry Assn. of Orange County, which will administer the program, was told to return to the supervisors in a month to explain how it will implement the ordinance.

The new rules specify that signs shall be no wider than six feet and no taller than 16 feet. They are to contain only arrows, or words such as left and right , to provide directions to the houses for sale, and may not carry advertising for the developments.