My last Council Corner presented my views on the importance of Balance in relation to Change in Foster City. Change will occur in Foster City. Some will like it, some will not. In a democracy the majority view will prevail – and that is as it should be. But it is vital for the public to understand the nature of the change, and to have their say in the matter. That is the essence of Balance.
The City Council, at the request of the Foster City Chamber of Commerce has worked with the city staff and the Planning Commission for almost two years to improve Foster City’s sign ordinance. The new sign ordinance is designed to assist retail businesses in Foster City and to satisfy the Chamber of Commerce’s request for logo signs on the top level of buildings six stories tall or higher.
A Public Hearing was held by the City Council on 20 June and the Council approved these changes. No residents not associated with the Chamber of Commerce attended the Public Meeting. I supported the change for retail businesses because there was a reasonable explanation of benefit for both the retail business and Foster City citizens. Balance was achieved.
I voted against the change that would permit corporate logos on our tall buildings because neither the Chamber nor the staff could show an economic or aesthetic benefit to either the corporation or the public. The proponents of this change could not answer the question of economic benefit nor did the Foster City staff recommend permitting of corporate logos on our tall buildings. Balance was not achieved.
Foster City Government has, until now, exercised the city’s right to control signage on the basis of the community’s aesthetic considerations. This principle is well established in law. It is not a restriction on free speech. The new sign ordinance weakens the shield of aesthetics as protection against further change that could allow signs on the upper level of buildings less than six stories tall.
I believe signs on Foster City’s tall buildings are a violation of the well-established aesthetic principles that are essential to the unique beauty of the Foster City community and offer no economic benefit to balance this loss.
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