Controversial Freeway Sign Delayed Indefinitely by Planning Commission

The Fountain Valley Planning Commission voted Wednesday night to delay any decision on a for until a photometric study can be conducted to determine how bright the sign will be.

In addition to the sign's brightness, the commission also expressed concern as to how the proposed sign might affect the upcoming as well as how Hyundai's new $150 million headquarters across the freeway might be impacted.

The proposed sign would be about 31 feet high and 29 feet wide, with an LED sign that would be 12 feet high and 24 feet wide. Those dimensions are larger than are allowed on private property, but because Mike Thompson's leases its land from the city, a different set of standards applies. As they did during last week's city council meeting, several residents expressed concern not only about the sign itself, but about what they saw as special treatment for Mike Thompson's.

"I don’t believe that even an environmental impact report was required because the mammoth proposed sign will be on city owned property." said Leston Trueblood, one of seven residents who were on hand to speak against the proposed sign. "Outrageous! This is a slap in the face and should be considered a double standard by every other business in Fountain Valley."

Trueblood's wife, Valerie, spoke out against the sign as well, adding that it would also create an unnecessary distraction for drivers.

"I view these kinds of bright, flashing and very distracting signs as a form of electronic junk mail," she said. "How many people really are influenced to purchase what’s being advertised on them when they’re driving past at 65 miles per hour? In the case of an expensive RV, I doubt that someone is going to stop on a whim to make a purchase because of the sign. I rather think they’ve done their research and already know who sells RVs in Orange and L.A. County."