City to Determine the Outcome of 'Banner Wars'

A hearing over an impromptu banner that showed up on city property last week lasted 2 ½ hours Monday.

The “banner is still up,” is all Clint Worthington, a member of the group that hoisted the banner, would say.

Capistrano Common Sense placed a banner last week touting its name and website address next to a banner promoting the coming dog park at the Northwest Open Space. Both banners are clearly visible to drivers on the Interstate 5.

The group's representatives have said the city’s liberal interpretation of the sign laws which allow for the privately operated San Juan Capistrano Open Space Foundation’s banner should also accommodate their own banner.

However, a code enforcement officer last week demanded the banner come down. The hearing Monday was to determine the fate of the infamous banner.

City Senior Management Analyst Mike Cantor served as the hearing officer Monday, said Cathy Salcedo, spokeswoman for the city. He took all information under advisement and will make a decision “in the near future,” she said. The hearing was open to the public.

The city was represented by attorneys Michelle Molko and Jeff Goldfarb with Rutan and Tucker, Salcedo said. Also present were a code enforcement officer and the director and assistant director of the Community Development Services department.

Steve Behmerwohld, a member of the city's Park, Recreation and Senior Services Commission, attended but he declined to answer questions for Patch. He said he was attending as a concerned citizen and not representing any one body.

• Check out  all our latest headlines
• Sign up to receive the daily Patch newsletter
• Follow SJC Patch on Facebook and Twitter

EDITOR'S NOTE: This aritcle was edited to reflect Steve Behmerwohld's position with the city.