The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses within the city limits of Lakeport to read the following as it pertains to business signage in the city and may impact their business.

On Sept. 11 the Lake County Chamber of Commerce was notified of a meeting on that date of the Lakeport City Planning Commission at which they would be discussing the city sign ordinance. Of particular concern for that discussion was the growing use of “feather flag” banners and abuses of other types of temporary signage.

Upon receipt of that notice I contacted Andrew Britton, Lakeport Planning Services manager and Margaret Silveira, Lakeport City manager, requesting that the discussion and any decisions be tabled until the business community could be notified and be present.

Mr. Britton and the city manager did convey the chamber’s concerns about making any decisions without due notification of the business community.

Although the planning commission did hold discussions on the signage ordinance/feather flags that evening no decisions were made. It was determined that this subject would be covered at the Nov. 13 meeting of the planning commission. That meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall.

The discussion this Wednesday will cover businesses displaying banners, feather flags or pennant signs. These are considered temporary signage, subject to limitations on the number of days allowed to be displayed.

The staff report to the commission states: 83 businesses are displaying temporary signs; 24 locations are using temporary signage as permanent signs and 71 businesses are using temporary signs on a long term basis.

City staff is presenting five options to the planning commission for the meeting on Wednesday. It is within reason to believe that the Commission will make a recommendation on one of the options and forward same to the Lakeport City Council.

The chamber strongly urges local businesses to attend the planning commission meeting on Wednesday.

Melissa Fulton is chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, based in Lakeport, Calif.