Brea Ca Ordinances

Two months of negotiations between the city of Brea and the owners of a lingerie boutique went asunder Thursday when a judge ordered the shopkeepers to stand trial on charges that they run an illegal peep show featuring scantily clad women. Judge Stephen J. Sundvold ordered Hassan Halabi and Nabil Abouriche to return to Municipal Court in Fullerton on Monday to stand trial on 288 criminal misdemeanor counts.

It was just a shade of a difference: Monray Masonry Buff No. 1667, instead of the approved Monier Mission Buff No. 1667. In keeping with Brea's strict palette, a divided Planning Commission this month ordered a businessman to stop construction of a building in Olinda Village because roof tiles were a tad too light. Shirish Shah, who had been struggling for two years to meet a variety of Planning Commission edicts for the 5,000-square-foot electronics warehouse, fought back.

After a controversial lingerie shop here did not shut its doors Wednesday, a city prosecutor said he plans to refile hundreds of criminal misdemeanor charges against the owners for operating an adult business without the proper permits.

A request to relax the city's ban on parking recreational vehicles in front of homes has been met with widespread public opposition, officials said. More than 60 residents have signed petitions or written letters condemning any changes to Brea's current laws banning trailers and boats from being parked in frontyards or driveways.

The city has amended its nighttime curfew in response to a recent San Diego court case in which a similar ordinance was dismissed as too vague. The changes, which were given final approval by the City Council on Tuesday, will make Brea's ordinance more specific and help it stand up to court challenges, officials said. However, the amendments will not significantly alter the substance of the law or the way in which it is applied, Police Capt. Chester H. Panique said.

It was just a shade of a difference: Monray Masonry Buff No. 1667, instead of the approved Monier Mission Buff No. 1667. In keeping with Brea's strict palette, a divided Planning Commission this month ordered a businessman to stop construction of a building in Olinda Village because roof tiles were a tad too light. Shirish Shah, who had been struggling for two years to meet a variety of Planning Commission edicts for the 5,000-square-foot electronics warehouse, fought back.

Police Chief William C. Lentini said Thursday the police will not be refunding parking fines given to people cited in an illegally marked loading zone at the Birch Street Promenade. The City Council voted Tuesday to abolish an old ordinance that made it illegal for more than half a city block to be marked as a loading zone. Lentini said police issued tickets for illegal parking, not for any violation of the loading zone, where signs are marked "no parking/loading zone."

A new city law aimed at panhandlers, vendors and other people who loiter on street medians is scheduled to go into effect Thursday. The law received final approval Dec. 6 by a unanimous vote of the City Council. City Manager Frank Benest said the measure was drafted in response to a "proliferation of vendors and panhandlers" in center medians and creating safety hazards for pedestrians and motorists. Violators will be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense.

The City Council backed away this week from imposing a 45-minute limit on the public comment portion of twice-monthly council meetings. This decision also applies to sessions of the Brea Redevelopment Agency and the city's Public Financing Authority. Residents have been critical of a time limit and have called it a "gag rule" and an infringement on their First Amendment right of free speech.

The City Council this week unanimously adopted an ordinance imposing deadlines on the Redevelopment Agency's ability to establish loans, give cash advances or collect taxes to repay debts. City officials said the ordinance is necessary in order to comply with a new state law that requires cities and redevelopment agencies to adopt deadlines in an effort to curb "real and perceived abuses." Brea has three redevelopment areas. They are in the downtown, north-central and northeast parts of town.

The City Council recently amended local codes to allow businesses to display outdoor merchandise through a special permit. The code amendment also addressed the display of temporary signs, including political signs and special event banners. Temporary signs will now be allowed for a maximum of 45 days, with up to two, 45-day permits each year. Copies of the code amendment are available from the city's Planning Division: (714) 990-7674.

The city has amended its nighttime curfew in response to a recent San Diego court case in which a similar ordinance was dismissed as too vague. The changes, which were given final approval by the City Council on Tuesday, will make Brea's ordinance more specific and help it stand up to court challenges, officials said. However, the amendments will not significantly alter the substance of the law or the way in which it is applied, Police Capt. Chester H. Panique said.