Signage

The Big Sur Land Use Plan talks a lot about protecting the rural and wilderness character in all development. That is not only regarding buildings, but also something that is in everyone’s viewshed:  “the sign”. Signs can alter the rural character very quickly. In cities, you are constantly bombarded by signs. Neon, flashing lights, billboards, made to attract your attention to them. This has no place in Big Sur if we are to keep the rural character. 

Caltrans uses the Big Sur Coast Highway Management Plan to integrate existing policies in a manner that can be interpreted to achieve work done along Highway 1. In that plan, Policy 9 reads: Signs: Prohibit off-premise commercial signs except for seasonal, temporary agricultural signs. Information and direction signs shall be designed to be simple, east-to-read and harmonize with surrounding elements.

The County requests in the Big Sur Land Use Plan that the objective of all roadway signs shall be to ensure that all improvements are inconspicuous and are in harmony with the rustic natural setting of the Big Sur Coast.

The Big Sur Land Use policy on signs reads: Off-site advertising signs shall not be allowed. Advertising signs only allowed in connection with commercial or visitor-serving uses, to a maximum 35 square feet. The size, design, material, and location of all signs should be in keeping with the local character, appropriate for the intended use, and be subject to the Development Permit Process. Materials shall be limited to those which are natural, including unpainted wood, (Except Lettering) and stone, whenever feasible. No exterior or interior neon plastic, moving, or flashing signs will be allowed.

There are clear violations of these rules in many locations along the coast. From the bright blue sign of Rocky Point Restaurant, to the lit neon plastic at Ventana Inn. It takes away from the rural character that the plan is protecting.

On the highway we have seen a massive increase in the number of signs. Especially North of Little Sur River. Curve signs and arrow signs, in excess just stating the obvious. I can’t think of one accident that occured because the driver didn’t know the road went in a certain direction. This excess of signs takes away from the beauty of the coast and should be reconsidered by Caltrans.