Another Eyesore

[Newcomer]

I am sure that all of you know of the "great wall of Coarsegold" (public storage) but I noticed that this wek on rd. 415 at the facility they just installed 3, yes 3 - 10,000 gallon stainless steel water storage tanks for the storage facility. each is about 25 feet tall and look terrible. My first question is,

Why does a storage facility require 30,000 gallons of water storage?

My second is why did they not purchase tanks that are less an eyesore like the green tanks. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/angry.gif

[Kahlua Kid]

WHy are they not set back 30 feet from the 415? I thought we had set back requirements!

From what I've heard (rumor) the owner lives in San Diego - what does he care? He doesn't have to look at their tacky yellow/black sign strung across the Great Wall of Coarsegold seen from the 41... or the ugly tanks that stare you in the face as you drive up 415... or the overall huge block buildings every day like we do!

WOuld be nice if they'd do something to help beautify it. Such as landscaping to help (screen it out)! (heck, they obviously will have enough water based on that number of tanks.)

[Michelle]

yeah I agree he isn't here so what does he care... what did they do about the huge crack in that wall of coarsegold.. that gets bigger it is coming down and people are going to be hurt... that is what bugs me .... I think that is the worst place to put a storage place... look around there could of been a better place to put a storage place....

[Coldwolf]

It was a nice place to have a hill.

[beautiful_mess38]

Maybe thats what the storage tanks are for, landscaping water. They should grow wisteria or ivy over the tanks. lol

[only1alphafemale]

Ok.......but what was there BEFORE the hill....I try NOT to cross deadwood unless its to go and donate at the Casino......!

[ginpole]

oak trees and grass

[Kahlua Kid]

They destroyed the Oak and Pine trees that were there - 3 are marked with Spray Painted X's along 415 - they will be taking them out. They have torn up the trees root balls, and they are now leaning and threaten to fall over on the 415.

And no trees will really be left on the property - they've all been bulldozed away to make room for the block buildings.

The wall leaves no room for grass to grown up the hillside - but could have some greenery/vine to drape down and hide that atrocity. I vote for Clemetis.

They cemented the cracks. Like that is going to hold back the dirt and water if the rains are like last year again.

[Newcomer]

Maybe the owner is planning on running some of the storage stalls as a big Hydroponics growing facility http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Patagoniamaniac]

my husband says..It a matter of time and the great wall of china will be tumblin down!...too many cracks in the stone...bring on the rain...

[Newcomer]

I feel the same way also. Someone is gonna get hurt when that wall gives way.

[Newcomer]

Well, I just drove by today and I see they have added a 4th 10,000 Gallon storage tank to the site. WTF are they doing over there. Looks like an industrial oil facility now!

[Patagoniamaniac]

omgosh! are you serious? I gotta see that.. thats an embarrasment to the coarsegold community. I wonder if they ever get any complaints?

[MtnBreeze]

Does it ever occur to anyone that he purchased the property and got county approval for what he has done and as much as any of us may not like what is being done it IS his property. I think the fact it is so visible makes the rest of us think we are somehow being "attacked". IF the wall falls down..which I for one hope it doesn't for several reasons..most due to safety...Then many will have learned a lesson (including those who approved the project) It is sad to cut trees and disturb the earth but ALL of us do it to suit our purposes at the time. I doubt many of us live on our property w/o having had to remove vegetation etc....Raleys shopping Center is in the middle of a once beautiful meadow that sported age old Oaks...I wouldn't call that intersection beautiful now??????
I realize many of us try to minimize the impact to the earth especially where we live but there are those that don't share that same view.
The wall is there...I say accept it and move on http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Kahlua Kid]

Let's see - they broke ground before getting County approval (from what I've heard) and there was NEVER a public hearing sign posted in regards to planning or a Planning Commission meeting for that property...

I'm not the only one in this area that is doesn't like this particular project that has absolutely no eye appeal to the area - let along architectural value.

At least the shopping center has some landscaping and architectural appeal.

And the water situation in this area of Coarsegold is a touchy situation - to see them taking 40,000 gallons of storage is concerning.

I'm not standing in the way of someone wanting to develop their property - but I think there does need to be more control in regards to architecture, how its done rather than having people in Madera who never come up here making those decisions - I'm for local government!!!

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by MtnBreeze:
The wall is there...I say accept it and move on http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

Never!!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/freak.gif

I have accepted the wall, and the block wall buildings, and the new lights that blare at you as you drive the 415 at night, and the rocks they put in, and...

Now those 4 ugly huge Steel Tanks sitting right off the 415!!! UG!

And the Tacky plastic sign flapping in the wind along the 41 on the wall... Just looks trashy to me. (BTW: What are Madera County's rules on signage? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wiseguy.gif)

[Chem101]

I too shake my head in disgust every time I drive by the "Great Wall of Coarsegold" And to hear the eyesore is being expanded is disheartening. I agree with Mtnbreeze, the owner has the right to develope the property..... and I have the right to boycott the business.

[Chem101]

Oh... and I also have the right to vote for a different County Supervisor.....

[jan]

Well, I just read all the posts about if its your land , you should be able to do what you want, sure we all like that but good ole madera county is on a roll folks, you no longer can breathe without a permit ...I have lived here for over 30 yrs have a carport, decided to put a front door on it & put some boxes of junk in it, well seems I am in viloation sincce i didnt go get a permit for the door, even tho the carport was there when I bought the place 28 yrs ago!
Yep, good ole Madera County at work!

[MtnBreeze]

Madera county USED to be quite lax at enforcing their rules up here but that is no longer the case and yes it is unfortunate how they still seem hit or miss....we the people have allowed all kinds of weird laws to be passed in California in re: to property because someone had a bad experience or did something their neighbor didn't like and on and on.
When I said it IS his property...I meant just that and in regards to uses...if a person follows the so called rules then we really cannot do anything except pass more laws saying we will NOT ALLOW eyesores???????? And who is to decide what an eyesore is then?
And the supervisors cannot really disallow a use that is permited....they can only follow the guidelines as they see fit....which may or may not be the intent of the original guidelines ...so it is a mess all the way around. I am not saying any of this is right, only that it is how it is. Also if you have enough money, often the rules are "bent" to accomodate. The rest of us are obliged to go through hours of frustration and red tape to get the slightest thing accomplished.
My original post was to put across the point that the wall has been built and I for one hope that it stays in place since it is already there because it will be an even greater eyesore should it fall. And I don't understand why we would wish bad things on another even if we don't agree with what they are doing. At this point we need to make the best of it and hope the water tanks will water new landscaping. Just my opinion.

[Summer]

Originally posted by Kahlua Kid:

I'm not standing in the way of someone wanting to develop their property - but I think there does need to be more control in regards to architecture, how its done rather than having people in Madera who never come up here making those decisions - I'm for local government!!!

KK, I never thought I would say this but I am leaning more and more for incorporation and local government. When I saw it happen down so. cal. in our town the developers went wild and its a nightmare, but up here we need local people to attend to local issues. The water shortage may stem the greediness of developing and the State should probably protect the overbuilding as we are so close to a national park. So, yeah I think local government might just be the ticket.

[John @ 3300ft.]

What about that gaping hole in the middle of Oakhurst?
The old Midway Market site.
Is it true that Radonovich owns it? Does he live in Oakhurst?

[Ironhorse]

Ya know, it may be that CDF is requiring those water storage tanks. If that place caught on fire with storage units full of stuff, it would be one heck of a fire, and could spread quickly. CDF, sheriff, etc. are all part of the approval process for businesses and residences going in, and they can each make their own requirements for approval, dependent on the conditions existing, each county department and/or other involved agency has to sign off on the approval before it goes for final approval to the Planning Commission, the requirements become part of the final approval. As short of water as it gets up here during summer, etc. it would make sense to require a place like this to have so much water stored and available. Also, that water could be available to CDF to fight other fires. We all know that even those most facilities like this tell people not to store flammables there, there's always some idiot who thinks it doesn't apply to them. Just a thought.

[Kahlua Kid]

That's a good thought - hopefully that is it and they won't be sucking the area dry over and over!

Looks like they are going to put even more tanks in - leveling the area behind the 4 that are already there. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cry.gif

[beautiful_mess38]

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned "money". Money counts and this guy has it.
We all know what happens when you take out trees and move alot of dirt on a hill. With no vegitation its going to slide. Check out Orange County last winter.

If we have rains like we did last winter it's going to start to move. Is there anything holding it back?

[Newcomer]

I spoke with our friend Steve at Wellco (who drilled our well and that well). Myhome was correct. The Water storage was a CDF requirement. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif I am glad that is the case and not that he was going to be selling water to trucks as a side job. It's still an eyesore Maybe some Camo netting over them will do the trick. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[Patagoniamaniac]

from the sierra star...

Letters to the editor


Friday, July 7, 2006 edition


(Updated Friday, July 7, 2006, 2:21 PM)


Great Wall of Coarsegold

Dear Editor,

I was pleased to see the article on the Madera County's Grand Jury report on the Great Wall of Coarsegold.

The report did a good job untangling the mess that created a wall that is crumbling and may well come down.

The County response is curious in that Davis says "the county wrote correction notices for work that was not in compliance with the approved plans and that the builder has not come into compliance" as yet.

I still wonder why it appears to be selective County treatment.

The rest of us don't have the option to keep working in those conditions.

The most startling issue is Tony Ward's response. He wants to make any future builder of storage units pay for, and wait for, a conditional use permit.

This builder with a conditional use permit would have done the same thing.

None of the many existing storage businesses have had problems building on the neighbors property or having a huge wall that is crumbling.

The County requires the rest of us to string our property lines and stay back 30 feet from them.

This wall is right on the line he claims he thought was his.

Where was the County at this point or, for that matter, when the mud rushed for months into the creek, or after the first wall failure when it was obvious to many of us that there was a problem? The owner claims they did not issue any change orders. Who knows?

I personally believe the County bears a lot of the responsibility for looking the other way, while hassling the rest of us on minor items.

You can't help but feel sorry for the plight of the owner who is ham strung by having a failing wall which is on someone elses property, but I have to say there are a lot of errors on his part to just overlook.

Sometimes you have to live with your mistakes, or whatever , and make good.

Joyce Stuhr
Coarsegold

California's infrastructure needs work

Dear Editor:

California's long-neglected freeways, water systems, and levees must be fixed, so we can keep today's citizens safe while preparing for the next generation.

But we won't be doing any favors for our children and grandchildren if we also leave them a mountain of debt.

Not to mention the carnage the families affected by highway tragedies.

That's why I support the Assembly Republican plan to dedicate a portion of each year's budget to building and maintaining infrastructure, so we can build now without incurring interest or raising taxes on hard-working families.

I also believe the casinos have a major role to play in the immediate funding to make dangerous Highway 41 safer. We all dangerously face their patrons 24 hours a day as they leave the casinos or bust a gut trying to get there.

For a major disaster to be called on for the Highway 140 rock slide, we should have disaster relief to alleviate the unnecessary deaths from over crowded or too narrow with no bail out zones for the major route into a National Park.

The plan is included in ACA 27, a measure that has been endorsed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers' Association because it is the fiscally responsible way to pay for our roads, levees and other vital infrastructure.

We need to support this plan so we can build now, build more and spend less.

In light of such tragic highway deaths I urge you and the community to do something about our safety for our families and friends.

Mary Orrin
Coarsegold

[father guido]

Originally posted by MtnBreeze:
....Raleys shopping Center is in the middle of a once beautiful meadow that sported age old Oaks...

Huh...I remember that area as low-lying swamp ground with a few trees, not what I would have considered a meadow by any stretch of the imagination. Remember all the problems they had with the parking lot for years afterwards? Water seeping through and the asphalt buckling?

[Yosemite Joy]

I think the signs on the Mexican place are an eyesore.

But then again years ago I complained about the Casino sign and no one agreed with me.

[Newcomer]

Originally posted by Yosemite Joy:
I think the signs on the Mexican place are an eyesore.

But then again years ago I complained about the Casino sign and no one agreed with me.

Hey YJ, I thought the same when I saw them a few weeks ago. I was afraid that the large one that is in front was going to be mounted on top of the roof where the Hondo's sign was and I said OMG Please No!. It's not so bad in the front. I guess I was just a Hondo's fan and wish that it did not have to close down. Me and KK are not the biggest mexican food fans although I do love Taco Bell as you know http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif but I guess that is not real Mexican food LOL. I wish the new owner success.

[Yosemite Joy]

Gosh if Madera County had let them put that big ol sign on top it would of been a skyscraper. Still.. the colours. I liked Hondo's too, well, at least the buffalo wings to-go.

There is an excellent Mexican food place in Fresno called Acapalco... that is my favorite place.

[Ironhorse]

I like Plaza Ventana on Shaw better than the Acapulco. Best Chimichangas I have had anywhere. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Patagoniamaniac]

Originally posted by Newcomer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Yosemite Joy:
I think the signs on the Mexican place are an eyesore.

But then again years ago I complained about the Casino sign and no one agreed with me.

Hey YJ, I thought the same when I saw them a few weeks ago. I was afraid that the large one that is in front was going to be mounted on top of the roof where the Hondo's sign was and I said OMG Please No!. It's not so bad in the front. I guess I was just a Hondo's fan and wish that it did not have to close down. Me and KK are not the biggest mexican food fans although I do love Taco Bell as you know http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif but I guess that is not real Mexican food LOL. I wish the new owner success. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

And the colors Suck! echhhh!

[Mysteefied]

yup, I've hated the color since they painted. eewwee

[Kahlua Kid]

I didn't think the colors are so bad... they are putting in what looks to be some nice landscaping with fountains outside the building.

Isn't Green, Red and White the colors of the Mexican flag? I think that is why the sign is the colors it is...

[Patagoniamaniac]

Isn't Green, Red and White the colors of the Mexican flag? I think that is why the sign is the colors it is...[/QUOTE]

ya but not baby poop color

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by Patagoniamaniac:
ya but not baby poop color

Just think of it as the color of refried beans! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[MtnBreeze]

I cannot believe how narrow minded some of us seem to be. Is there anything up here that is likeable? Tried hard to ignore this thread but it seems petty to constantly criticize other businesses over and over. Most businesses I'm sure rely on their business for an income. Constructive criticism may be helpful to an owner.....I don't believe some of the comments above are helpful to anyone. As I also don't believe bashing a business is helpful to anyone as is sometimes done in the other similar threads. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but it would seem a more appropriate exercise of opinion would take into consideration how it might affect someone's livlihood.

[Yosemite Joy]

I stand by my comment.

I don't think we needed to be reprimanded.

[beautiful_mess38]

The great wall of Coarsegold I hate. The mexican sign I don't care.

[Newcomer]

Originally posted by MtnBreeze:
I cannot believe how narrow minded some of us seem to be. Is there anything up here that is likeable? Tried hard to ignore this thread but it seems petty to constantly criticize other businesses over and over. Most businesses I'm sure rely on their business for an income. Constructive criticism may be helpful to an owner.....I don't believe some of the comments above are helpful to anyone. As I also don't believe bashing a business is helpful to anyone as is sometimes done in the other similar threads. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but it would seem a more appropriate exercise of opinion would take into consideration how it might affect someone's livlihood.

I stand by my comments on the great wall. It is something that should never been built the way it was built, where it was built and with the inherent danger that it now presents to residents and visitors to this area. Also economic damage that it could do to the businnes if it does give way and takes out 41 & 415.

As for the sign for the mexican place. I stated that I did not like where I thought the sign was going to go and it would have been huge on top of that building and I stated that I was more pleased that where they placed it was better. The owner had every right to put it where ever he wanted and that was his right. I also wished them success. I don't particularly like the color of the sign but those are their business colors. I am just glad that the place is not called the Purple Taco and they did not paint it purple LOL.

When we like something we also state that in these forums, maybe not as much as we should but we do say it. I stated that I liked Hondo's but that is now gone. I love the NGI , Oh Wait... Let me start a thread on this "The things we love about the area"

[monkey]

I love living in the area, but sometimes when I'm driving through town, I think is is becoming an ugly town with all the signs screaming at me from everywhere. I understand the attempt to catch the customer's eye, but there should be a reasonable limit.

[Yosemite Joy]

Originally posted by monkey:
I love living in the area, but sometimes when I'm driving through town, I think is is becoming an ugly town with all the signs screaming at me from everywhere. I understand the attempt to catch the customer's eye, but there should be a reasonable limit.

See but there is a limit! They have two signs on the building for the building. (Ugly ones, but hey honestly, they catch the eye, and I don't have to look at it everyday, and at least they aren't terrible like the Casino one... ahhh I digress). Madera county has codes for this, no?

However, they have two, no, three MORE signs (two fold up ones, plus the 30x30 banner on the side of the "new" building) pointing the way to the Taqueria they are still running by the Met.

To quote John Stossel: Give me a break!

[monkey]

I wasn't speaking about the Taqueria, I was speaking about the town in general.

[al_1902]

At least the building and landscape looks nice. The buildings past H & L Lumber are the eyesores of the town. Plus, H & L is going to move who knows what will go in and how it will look. Then you have the empty lots, every town has signs but our old town is missing the old town look.

I wish they would get the water and sewer fixed so we could get some new buildings on these empty lots.

[Michelle]

what about the eyesore when you are driving in to oakhurst on 41 from coarsegold...used to be the broken bit... OMG we went past that yesterday and that place looks more and more like a garbage pit...what the heck is that place going to be or what... just someone who moved in and now looks like trash hole..... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/angry.gif

[Newcomer]

Originally posted by *Michelle*:
what about the eyesore when you are driving in to oakhurst on 41 from coarsegold...used to be the broken bit... OMG we went past that yesterday and that place looks more and more like a garbage pit...what the heck is that place going to be or what... just someone who moved in and now looks like trash hole..... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/angry.gif

They were having a rummage sale with lots of stuff last week. I saw them today loading up what did not sell into a truck today. THey will get it all together give them a bit more time. They have had a tough time with getting the place up to county code. They have been doing bus tours almost daily during the week of the gold panning setup they have in the back. The quicker they make money with the tours stopping the quicker they can finish. I am sure that in the end it will be nice.

[cak]

sometimes when I'm driving through town, I think is is becoming an ugly town with all the signs screaming at me from everywhere.

We had similar thoughts not long ago, and started imagining how much nicer town would look, in general, if there were no signs taller than, say, 10 feet anywhere on 41.

It might start looking like a town, rather than a strip mall or gambling strip.

[Chem101]

Well gang, I can't disagree with the view points on the nature of the growth in our area, however, The solution is well within our control. This goes back to some old threads, but the answer is INCORPORATION. Oakhurst needs to become a city, decide what it wants to be when it grows up, and set plans to make it happen. That is NOT going to happen down in Madera. I don't know if Coarsgold is big enough, but that should be explored as well. Possibly both could incorporate and share resources.
The folks in this area have a stong sense of independence and an aversion to controls. I understand this, and love it. It's part of what gives our mountain home it's charactor. But you can see the results of uncontrolled growth. Wait too long and you can't go back :/
I've seen it happen elsewhere and I'd hate to see it happen here.

[Patagoniamaniac]

I agree!...

[Mibrew]

Yep...

Iv'e been saying that for years, & I'm on those ole threads http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Lacey]

Regarding the signs....in my opinion they should not ban the signs! Businesses have to be seen and the way Oakhurst is 'designed', no one would know half the businesses exist without the signs. But why not have a code for the signs so that they are appealing to the eye and landscape? I always use Clovis as an example. In Old Town Clovis, there is a building code in place that won't let you build there without following a certain design. That would be the best solution to the signage, in my opinion.

[monkey]

Absolutely, that's what I'm talking about. Some of the businesses have huge "Now Open" banners that have hung up for years, some have a whole bunch of signs all over, some just have big obnoxious signs. I understand drawing traffic to a business, but sometimes it's overkill.

[BGW]

Believe it or not...there is a code in place. I was recently at an OCAC meeting and one of the items on the agenda was that Jack in the Box wants to put a up a second drive thru window menu in order to make the drive-thru move faster and more smoothly. What I learned that night is that each business is allowed a certain amount of square footage for signage based on the size of their building.

What this means is if Jack in the Box wants a second menu board they must make the signs elsewhere on the their building smaller in order to accommodate the square footage of the second menu board.

If this is truly how the code works, then signs on vehicles and chainlink fences etc. are going against the county code and there is an enforcement issue.

[cak]

Yep...

Iv'e been saying that for years, & I'm on those ole threads

Ditto. Oakhurst should incorporate. Local control is key.

And just to be clear: I didn't, and wouldn't, advocate banning outdoor signs. I would advocate banning tall signs - total square footage is only one part of the problem. I'd like to see the skyline dominated by the mountains, not flourescent lights and banners.

Merchants will complain that they need big and tall signs to get cars driving by to notice their businesses - that small signs won't work because people drive by too quickly.

True enough - and it dovetails into other complaints about traffic on 41 and 49 ... and my argument that Oakhurst needs to develop a business district that is off the main highway!

It's all very linked together, and complicated. But it's certainly not going to get solved in Madera.

[Surfus]

The Short Verb on the Rule for a sign is
if you have 40 feet accross your store front then you can have 40 Sqaure feet of signage TOTAL on your building including your open sign and any stickers on your windows. so the Tacaria is out of compliance.
Road side signs are a little differnt.

http://www.madera-county.com/countycode/_DATA/TITLE18/C...WAHNEE_PL/index.html (http://www.madera-county.com/countycode/_DATA/TITLE18/Chapter_18_91_OAKHURST_AHWAHNEE_PL/index.html)

[Lacey]

Businesses are also allowed to put out temporary signs a certain number of days out of the year, so I doubt the Tacaria is out of compliance.

I know that there is already an ordinance in place, but I don't believe it addresses the 'type' of signs that are legal...ie..shape, color, theme. What I propose is that the sign ordinance allow the signs, but say they have to follow a certain criteria. Small would work IF it was an eyecatching sign. Certain colors and designs attract attention, no matter how small. It would be great if Oakhurst had a theme of some sort that was appealing. Hodge podge is never as attractive as compatible!

[Surfus]

See the link http://www.madera-county.com/countycode/_DATA/TITLE18/C...WAHNEE_PL/index.html
it has the size and type
Banners are alowed for I think 2 weeks at a time

the Sign(s) at the Tacaria are too LARGE
they have about 50 Leniare feet of store front and the have over 100 sq feet of Signage.
B. Building Signs.
1. Sign area: maximum allowable sign area shall be calculated at one square foot of aggregate sign area for each lineal foot of the building face to which it is attached; provided, that the total sign area for any unit of operation shall not exceed an aggregate of eighty-five square feet per building side; and further provided, that no sign shall be less than ten square feet per business unit. Buildings set back two hundred fifty feet or more from a public street shall be permitted one square foot of sign area per one lineal foot of building face with a maximum of two hundred twenty-five square feet of sign area per unit of operation. f
a. Window signs: window signs exceeding three square feet in area shall be computed in the building sign area. Appurtenant signs shall be computed in the window sign area.
b. Public use board/tack board shall not exceed twelve square feet and shall not be computed in the building sign area.
2. Height: the top of any building sign shall not extend above the top of the overall building elevation.
3. Projection: eave and wall signs shall project no more than thirty-six inches horizontally beyond the overall building line.
4. Clearance: no sign shall extend to within twelve inches of the end of the wall or to the line which divides the businesses sharing such wall.
5. Sign averaging: to maintain a basic identity for a business complex, the sign area of a building face may be reallocated among the tenants and/or the business owners. The reallotment can not exceed the cumulative sign area of that building’s tenants or owners.
C. Awning Signs. Awning signs shall be counted as part of the total allowable building sign area.
D. Combination Sign. Combination signs shall meet the most restrictive classification to which any portion is subject.
E. Flags. Except for official flags, no flag shall be larger than five feet by seven feet and shall be counted as part of the freestanding sign area. Flag pole maximum height for any flag shall not exceed thirty feet above finished grade.
F. Illumination. Signs may be illuminated only by the following means:
1. By a white steady stationary light of reasonable (seventy-five foot lamberts) intensity shielded and directed at the sign; or
2. By interior nonexposed lights of reasonable (eight hundred Ma high output fluorescent tube) intensity,
except for time and temperature signs using LED low power incandescent bulbs.
No sign shall be placed so as to produce glare on a public street or adjacent property or to cast light into any dwelling unit or dwelling building.
No signs shall be erected at or near the intersection of any streets or of a street and driveway in such manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, color, illumination or wording, the sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or otherwise constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination.
G. Neon.
1. Internal neon signs, intended to be viewed only from outside a window, provided such signs do not exceed four square feet, are included as part of the total allowable sign area and may only be installed within the interior of the building.
2. Exterior exposed neon signs with opaque or frosted tubing, not clear tubing, are allowed on building signs only. No exterior exposed neon signs are allowed on canopies, freestanding signs or signs allowed without a permit.
H. Off-Premise Signs. An off-premise sign shall be allowed only in commercial or industrial zones and shall be computed as part of the total allowable freestanding sign area for the parcel upon which it is placed. Such off-premise sign shall be included within the freestanding sign(s) allowed for the parcel upon which it is placed. No off-premise sign shall be located within one thousand feet of any other off-premise sign nor within five hundred feet of any road or railroad interchange, intersection at grade or any safety road side rest area. No off-premise sign shall be erected without prior issuance of a zoning permit pursuant to Chapter 18.104.
I. Outdoor Businesses. Outdoor businesses shall meet the same requirement as for other businesses including freestanding signs and directional on-site sign regulations.
J. Subdivision Signs. Subdivision signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in sign area per face. Maximum height shall be twelve feet and ten feet wide. Pennants, streamers, flags or other appurtenances are not permitted. All signs shall be placed a minimum of one hundred feet from any other sign and only one subdivision sign shall be allowed per street face. Subdivision signs shall be located a minimum of ten feet from any right-of-way or property line. The sign shall be located only on
the property which is advertised thereon. Subdivision signs shall be removed upon the sale of ninety percent of all units in the development. Any model home advertising a development shall not be included in the determination whether ninety percent of all units have been sold. Any change of copy to advertise a different subdivision shall require a new sign permit. Illuminated or lighted signs shall not be permitted.
K. Time Clock and/or Temperature Signs. Time clock and/or temperature signs shall not be calculated in sign area permitted on a parcel of property if less than eight square feet in area.
L. Master Architectural Sign Plan for a Business Complex. All signs proposed for erection on or within a business complex shall be designed and erected according to a master architectural sign plan approved by the zoning administrator. No new sign shall hereafter be erected on or within such a business complex unless a master sign plan has been approved and such sign is in conformity with that master plan. (Ord. 525K § 2, 2001; Ord. 525D § 1(part), 1993).

[Surfus]

See the link http://www.madera-county.com/countycode/_DATA/TITLE18/C...WAHNEE_PL/index.html
18.91.010 General provisions.
A. Statutory Authority. This chapter is enacted pursuant to the California Constitution’s grant of police power to counties and the statutory authority granted by Section 65850(b) of the California Government Code.
B. Purpose of Chapter. The board of supervisors has determined and recognizes that the Oakhurst/Ahwahnee general plan district has evolved over time and consists of individual lots with buildings of various ages, designs and styles of architecture, occupied by a variety of businesses, and that adequate signage is essential to the success of these individual businesses. It is, therefore, resolved that the intent and purpose of this chapter is to upgrade the general appearance of the district by regulating the size, height, construction, location and general upkeep of outdoor signs and sign structures within the defined area; provide for public safety; encourage local shopping; protect property values and the natural scenic beauty; in general, attempt to create a more attractive business climate and to preserve and enhance the unique character of the mountain community.
C. Findings. After public hearings before both the planning commission and the board of supervisors, the following findings are made:
1. The community is situated in a scenic mountain-forest area whose economic well-being is primarily dependent upon tourism with a newly developing light industry and commercial profile complementing a residential community. Recognizing that the community is the prime gateway entrance to Yosemite National Park, it is found that the proper control of signs is of particular importance to the community and its natural scenic beauty.
2. A substantial business community has developed in this area over a period of thirty years, with a variety of signs and advertising. The owners of these businesses have made substantial investments in their signs in good faith and compliance with perceived community sign standards. A sign ordinance, while being necessary to the future economic and aesthetic well-being of the community, should be easy for the present and future business owners and the general public to understand and be implemented with as minimal as possible administrative impact on existing businesses and business owners.
3. The right to identify a place and type of commercial business and/or service activity should and must:
a. Be kept within reasonable boundaries consistent with the objectives and goals of the community to retain its special character and the economic advantages which rest largely on the quality of its appearance; and
b. Be balanced with the right of the public-at-large to be insulated from the intrusions of over-commercialism.
D. Applicability of Chapter. The provisions set forth in this chapter shall be applicable to all signs within the overlay zone, as later defined within this chapter.
E. Overlay Zone. This chapter (overlay zone) shall apply to the exact area of the Oakhurst/Ahwahnee general plan boundary. (Ord. 525D § 1(part), 1993).

[Surfus]

Originally posted by Lacey:
Businesses are also allowed to put out temporary signs a certain number of days out of the year, so I doubt the Tacaria is out of compliance.


See the link http://www.madera-county.com/countycode/_DATA/TITLE18/C...WAHNEE_PL/index.html
18.91.050 Signs allowed without a sign permit.
11. Temporary signs:
a. A business may have temporary signs for up to fifteen consecutive days, but not more than an aggregate of one hundred twenty days within a year.
b. Any temporary use in excess of the fifteen consecutive days or one hundred twenty days aggregate period will require a zoning permit.
c. Signs pertaining to any civic, patriotic or special event of general public interest taking place within the general community may be used for up to forty-five days.

18.91.060 Prohibited signs.
C. Mobile Signs. The parking on any street, or on public or private property, of any vehicle to which a sign is attached or suspended, or the movement of any such vehicle in and along any street, for the sole or primary purpose of displaying advertising matter, is declared to be a nuisance and a violation of this section. No person shall drive, operate, move in and along or park on any street or on public or private property, any motor vehicle, trailer, carriage, wagon, sled or other vehicle on which is attached or maintained any sign displaying any commercial advertising matter, except for the following which are permitted:

1. Political signs, provided such are not otherwise prohibited by county or state laws or regulations;
2. A nonprojecting sign attached, affixed, or painted upon the door or side of a motor vehicle and which contains the following information:
a. The name of the business in which the vehicle is customarily used, and/or
b. The address, city or town and telephone number of the business in which the vehicle is customarily used, and/or
c. A motto, slogan, or logo designed and intended to be associated with the business in the minds of the general public and its customers;

[BGW]

Hey Surfus--

Thanks for doing all the leg work! I have surfed madera-county.com at length in the past and sometimes, as I hope it was for you, what you need is handed to you and sometimes...not so much!

[Surfus]

Originally posted by bgirlsworld:
Hey Surfus--

Thanks for doing all the leg work! I have surfed madera-county.com at length in the past and sometimes, as I hope it was for you, what you need is handed to you and sometimes...not so much!
the only way to find anything at MDONLINE is to use the search option.

[Patagoniamaniac]

Drove by the Great wall the other day and my husband , son and I at the same time say..NO WAY! its become worse...its coming down..make sure to drive way on the other side of the road without getting in a head on everytime you pass it..just in case.

[monkey]

Yep, I went by today and it does look worse.

[Shameless]

And it keeps getting worse. I wonder what thier going to do about it. With the law suits pending they will be forking up alot of cash.