After listening to representatives from the business community promise to self-regulate the appearance of their advertisements, the City Council last week unanimously approved a half-year suspension on enforcement of bans and limitations of several types of signs in the city.</p><p>Businesses are now allowed to put up advertising banners, pennants, flags, balloons, A-frame and I-frame signs on their property for a six-month period.</p><p>The former limitations on the number of days businesses could use banners, 56, and the outright ban on other types of signs have been contentious issues between the city and many members of the business community for years. Business owners have accused the city of hurting their ability to attract customers. And members of the public, including a few planning commissioners, have said allowing the various signs often leads to visual pollution.</p><p>Councilwoman Elizabeth Stone said she understands both sides of the argument and she's willing to try the suspension.</p><p>"I think the size of the signs are not going to be changed, it's still not going to be allowed in the public right-of-way," She said. "I think that the six-month ban is a good opportunity for businesses to show us what they can do, show us how beautiful their signs can be."</p><p>The city's sign ordinance will be more thoroughly revised in upcoming months, according to city officials. Planning Director Paula Fitzgerald said as it is currently constructed the ordinance is outdated and needs to be brought into compliance with the city's general plan.</p><p>Councilman Joe Sousa requested that city staff consult with business owners on revamping the ordinance.</p><p>"I'd hate to see us in six months contradicting what they're (business owners) trying to do. I think there needs to be compromise on both sides," Sousa said.</p><p>Businessmen Joe Gutierrez and Ernest Roque told council members they will informally speak with business owners who put up unflattering signs that do not meet city standards. If their peer-pressure method does not work they said they would be willing to notify code enforcement.</p><p>Stone said she also believes business owners talking with one another will bolster the credibility of the city's rules on how signs should look.</p><p>"I think the big thing is going to come at the end of six months when we decide 'OK, did it work or didn't it," Stone said. "If things are not looking great out there we're going to start getting phone calls, we're going to start getting e-mails.</p><p>"At the end of six months if this has turned out to be not such a good idea I'm not afraid to say, 'Hey this was not good. We need to keep the ordinance that we had.'"</p><p>Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or by e-mail at cpride@losbanosenterprise.com.