Fullerton Ca Ordinances

Skateboarding and roller-skating will come to a screeching halt downtown under an ordinance that received City Council approval Tuesday. Council members, in a 3-2 vote, said the ban is needed because of potential for injuries and property damage. "I really don't think our downtown area is set up for that kind of activity," said Mayor Don Bankhead. Council members Chris Norby and Jan Flory voted against the ban, saying roller-skating should be exempt.

Groups of 26 or more people soon will be required to obtain a city permit to participate in organized activities, such as baseball or soccer games, at local parks or schools. The City Council last week unanimously approved the new rule, which takes effect in a month. Violations will be considered infractions or misdemeanors. City officials said the permits are needed because of the rising number of groups using public athletic fields.

A bit faded but clearly marked, the gang graffiti on the sidewalk is a distinguishing neighborhood scar. Scattered beer bottles and bar-covered windows also mar the 2300 block of Baker Avenue. At first glance, the neighborhood evokes an eerie atmosphere--one plagued with gangs, crime and fear. But upon closer inspection, the 16 apartment complexes that line the street tell a different story.

An ordinance prohibiting fraternity and sorority houses from opening within 1,000 feet of each other has been endorsed by the city Planning Commission and awaits a decision by the City Council. The ordinance would affect any new fraternity or sorority seeking to operate a house in the city or any that has lost its permit to operate and seeks a new one.

The Planning Commission today will consider prohibiting fraternity and sorority houses from opening within 1,000 feet of each other. The ordinance was drafted in an effort to prevent problems that have arisen over the years because of the number of frat houses located close together, city planner Ted J. Commerdinger said. "This will prevent a concentration of these houses in the future."

In an effort to boost advertising of community events, banners held up by 25-foot-high poles may soon be installed along Harbor Boulevard downtown. The City Council this week decided to seek bids for installation of the poles and try to determine whether community organizations would use the banners. Under the plan, only the city and local nonprofit organizations would be allowed to display banners.

The Cal State Fullerton fraternity that recently lost its permit to operate its home on Teri Place will go before the City Council tonight in an effort to get the permit reinstated. Tau Kappa Epsilon had its permit revoked by the city Planning Commission in November, after neighbors had complained to police at least 25 times about rowdy parties. There was also a report of an attempted rape at the frat house.

An ordinance that bans public display of sexually explicit materials will become effective in a month. The ordinance, approved by the City Council this week, prohibits the display of "harmful matter" in news racks in any public right of way or place where minors are allowed. It replaces a city law that allows such displays provided that blinders are placed on the racks. City officials said their action was prompted by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the banning of such material.

A resident who pleaded with the City Council to allow her to keep her beloved pot-bellied pig may learn soon if she succeeded. "He's a house pig . . . my baby," Lisa Phillips told council members last week, after a neighbor complained to the city. A city code prohibits residents from having pigs in their homes. Phillips said the pet, which has lived with her since 1992, goes outside only when she is at work.

A ban on banners has been lifted, but who gets to hang them and where has yet to be determined. The City Council will consider adopting guidelines for hanging signs across public streets, which Mayor Chris Norby said would provide a "hometown atmosphere." One proposal would allow banners to hang on four bridges over two busy streets. The bridges include three over Harbor Boulevard between Santa Fe Avenue and Valencia Drive, and another across Chapman Avenue at Fullerton College.