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The SFLNC would like to alert everyone about a public
hearing on legislation proposed by Supervisor Fiona Ma
that would ban signs, flyers or posters attached to City
utility poles. This legislation would limit the ability of
many communities to post information about concerts, dance
clubs, public gatherings, missing pets, political
candidates, protests etc. The legislation would restrict
such notices to neighborhood kiosks or other designated
areas.
Supervisor Ma's Sign Ordinance will be heard in the Board
of Supervisors' Land Use Committee on Monday, September 22
at 1:00pm in City Hall, Room 263.
While there is no doubt that Signs and posters on utility
poles can at times be a source of litter, the SFLNC
considers the free flow of public expression to be a much
more significant element of a healthy community. There are
already laws on the books that govern sign posting and
allow the City to fine those who violate the law. The
SFLNC would prefer that the City enforce current law
rather than restrict a cheap and easy form of public
communication.
SFLNC representatives have met with Supervisor Ma to
express our concerns. Having a background in
entertainment, Supervisor Ma is aware that posters
attached to utility poles are an established mode of
promotion of entertainment events. Her proposal would not
ban promotional posters or other public notices, but would
limit them to locations designated for that purpose.
The SFLNC believes that kiosks and such designated spaces
would not be sufficient to serve the purpose of effective
communication. In addition, we believe that the
establishment of such kiosks would be difficult, as
businesses and homeowners would object to their placement
in front of their businesses. Also, the legislation does
not establish such posting areas but only recommends their
creation.
Supervisor Ma says that she is open to compromise, but as
yet we have been unable to formulate one that would serve
both purposes.
We strongly encourage members of the late night community
to attend the hearing and provide comments on the
legislation. If you cannot attend the hearing, comments
can be made directly to Supervisor Ma and also to
Supervisors McGoldrick, Maxwell and Ammiano, who sit on
the land use committee. Contact information is available
below:
Supervisor Fiona Ma
(415) 554-7460
(415) 554-7432 FAX
fiona.ma@sfgov.org
Supervisor Jake McGoldrick
(415) 554-7410 - voice
(415) 554-7415 - fax
Jake.McGoldrick@sfgov.org
Supervisor Sophie Maxwell
(415) 554-7670 - voice
(415) 554-7674 - fax
Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov.org
Supervisor Tom Ammiano
(415) 554-5144 - voice
(415) 554-6255 - fax
Tom.Ammiano@sfgov.org
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