SIMI VALLEY : Council Approves Ad, Promo Balloons

After two years of community debate, the Simi Valley City Council on Monday evening approved a new law that allows businesses to fly balloons for advertising and special promotions.

The city began considering the law after six auto dealers petitioned the council in April, 1993. A council committee recommended that the businesses be given more leeway in promoting their products.

The ordinance will also allow temporary sidewalk and parking lot sales at businesses in the same area.

Much of Monday’s debate centered on the size of balloons to be flown by businesses and whether writing should be allowed on them.

Marvin Banks, who lives near the auto dealerships on 1st Street near the Simi Valley Freeway, argued against the ordinance.

“The amount of energy you spent deciphering the balloon issue is ridiculous,” he said.

The council did limit the length of time a business can use the special promotions to 16-day periods four times a year.

Large balloons, such as popular inflatable whales and gorillas, must be mounted and not flown on a tether. Other balloons are not permitted to fly higher than 30 feet.

Darrell Coletto, owner of First Nissan, said the new ordinance will help his business.