Sign Removal Under Review

A county program designed to remove illegally posted signs and advertisements from public areas will be studied by public works officials.

A county worker now spends a portion of nearly every weekend removing signs from light posts, electric poles and other public rights-of-way in unincorporated communities such as North Tustin, Rossmoor, Midway City and Rancho Santa Margarita. The county also provides the service for Lake Forest and Laguna Hills.

Often, the worker is aided by someone completing court-ordered community service work.

The Board of Supervisors earlier this month asked that the program be studied to determine its effectiveness and whether any changes are needed.

Tom Connelie, the county’s manager of maintenance systems, said officials will compare the county program to those in surrounding cities. They will also consider a sign-removal fee, with revenues used to recover the costs of the program, Connelie said.

The illegally posted signs--which range from garage sale advertisements to real estate listings--pose a variety of concerns. Not only do many residents consider them visual blight, but governments might face legal liability if a sign distracts a motorist and causes an accident, officials said.

Connelie said the county program has proven effective because the work crew is able to remove the signs during the weekend, when most are posted.

“We think we have a very cost-effective approach,” he said. “The problem is greatest on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s our impression that very few cities have the weekend pickup.”