The City of Corona has banned all new billboards, but grandfathered old billboards. AMG owns and operates some billboards, and wants to put up a new one. One of its employees goes to the City planning department for an application for a permit to put up a new billboard. But the City planning official tells her that she can't give her an application because no new billboards are allowed. The law's crystal clear.
Weeks later, AMG simply puts up a billboard. No permit. No application. Nothing.
The City files suit. AMG makes meritless defenses and loses. Loses in the Court of Appeal as well.
Rightly so.
I'd have thought that the City of Corona might actually want to criminally prosecute these guys. This was a clear (and brazen) violation of the law. I'd have also thought that the Court of Appeal might have wanted to sanction 'em as well.
Apparently not. AMG just loses.
One less billboard in Corona. (Which has plenty, as I can personally attest, since I was there on Sunday.)
