CARWASH OWNER FIGHTS FOR SIGN.Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer The owner of a carwash in Studio City pleaded his case again to city officials Friday in an attempt to keep a controversial sign that he says has kept him from bankruptcy but neighborhood activists say violates city code. Ben Forat, owner of the Studio City Hand Car Wash, told a hearing examiner An employee of an Administrative Agency who is charged with conducting adjudicative proceedings on matters within the scope of the jurisdiction of the agency. for the city Planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. Commission that the giant hand holding a replica 1957 Corvette corvette, small warship, classed between a frigate and a sloop-of-war. Corvettes usually were flush-decked and carried fewer than 28 guns. They were widely employed in escorting convoys and attacking merchant ships during the great naval wars of the late 18th and in front of his shop has saved him from going out of business and laying off his 30 employees. ``This sign has helped this business tremendously,'' he said. ``It has created jobs. And the neighborhood likes it.'' Supporters of the sign, including local businesses and residents, outnumbered Outnumbered is a British sitcom that aired on BBC One in 2007.[1] It stars Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner as a mother and father who are outnumbered by their three children. opponents 3-to-1 at the hearing, and Forat said he had obtained 3,000 signatures supporting him. But some residents and community activists said allowing the oversized o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. sign would open the floodgates for every business along Ventura Boulevard Ventura Boulevard is one of the primary east-west thouroughfares in the San Fernando Valley; as it was originally a part of the El Camino Real (the trail between Spanish missions), Ventura Boulevard is the oldest route in the San Fernando Valley. It was also U.S. to get into a war over creating bigger and bigger signs. ``It's basically about the laws of the city,'' said Polly Ward, vice president of the Studio City Residents Association. ``This is not a popularity contest.'' Forat's 26-foot-tall sign exceeds the limits in the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan, which restricts signs to 20 feet tall. It is also 88 square feet in area, exceeding the limit of 35 square feet. He is requesting an exemption from those limits because he said that without the large sign, his business is virtually invisible to customers because it is set back from the street and located on the inner side of a curve. After he put the sign up late last year, he said, business increased by 20 cars a day, allowing him to pay a number of past due bills and back taxes. Supporters argued that the sign adds an artistic touch to the area in a uniquely Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. style and that he should be granted an exception so that he can remain in business. Written testimony can be mailed to Brown at 221 S. Figueroa St., room 310, Los Angeles, CA 90012, or faxed to (213) 485-8005. |
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