Inspectors May Take Aim at Business Zones

SANTA ANA — Since launching the Community Preservation Department more than 10 years ago, city inspectors have been focusing their attention on residential neighborhoods.

The effort has significantly cut down on eyesores, such as recurring garage sales, and building violations, according to a city report.

Residents and city officials now say the city’s commercial areas could use the same attention.

The City Council on Tuesday will consider a proposal to assign five full-time inspectors to patrol business zones. The inspectors would be reassigned from the neighborhood patrols, with no extra cost to the city.

The inspectors would focus on illegal commercial signs, ranging from banners to balloons, on main thoroughfares. One inspector has been responsible for monitoring main streets for blatant violations.

Business owners with signs without permits would be given a warning letter, asking them to remove the signs within seven days. If the signs stayed, owners would be cited for a misdemeanor.

Inspectors also would respond to complaints, according to a city report.

In a recent study session, Robyn Uptegraff, the city’s executive director of planning and building, warned that the new inspection duties would be never-ending.

“It’s like painting the Golden Gate Bridge,” said Uptegraff, adding that city workers will continuously have to monitor the targeted areas.

The council meets at 6 p.m. in council chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza. Information: (714) 647-6520.