HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2016-03 04/12/2016RESOLUTION NO. 2016-03
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR A MODIFIED
MASTER SIGN PROGRAM FOR THE DEER CREEK VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER
LOCATED AT NORTH MCDOWELL BOULEVARD AND RAINIER AVENUE
APNs: 007-380-033, 007-380-034, and 007-380-035
FILE NO. PLSR-15-0014
WHEREAS, Site Plan and Architectural Review for a Master Sign Program for the Deer Creek
Village shopping center was approved by the Planning Commission on August 14, 2012 (Planning
Commission Resolution 2012-12); and
WHEREAS, Merlone Geier Partners submitted an application for Site Plan and Architectural
Review for a modified Master Sign Program for the Deer Creek Village shopping center to allow for
freeway oriented signage and other minor modifications; and
WHEREAS, prior to acting on this Site Plan and Architectural Review application, the Planning
Commission considered a staff report dated January 12, 2016 and April 12, 2016, including the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination included therein; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider Site Plan and
Architectural Review for the modified Master Sign Program on January 26, 2016 and April 12, 2016; and
WHEREAS, public notice was published in the Argus -Courier and mailed to all residents and
property owners within 500 feet of the project site in compliance with state and local law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission hereby approves Site Plan and
Architectural Review of the modified Master Sign Program for the Deer Creek Village retail shopping
center and authorizes construction and installation of signs for the project site, subject to issuance of
individual tenant sign permits, in compliance with the Master Sign Program based on the following
findings and attached conditions:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The modified Master Sign Program is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines under CEQA Guidelines Section 15311(a) (accessory structures, on -premise
signs) since it would result in the construction and placement of sign structures that are accessory to
the existing Deer Creek Village shopping center.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-03 Page 1
3. The Master Sign Program, as conditioned, will conform to the intent, goals, and policies of the
Petaluma 2025 General Plan, including General Plan Policy 2-P-5 in that the Master Sign Program
provides for unified signage elements along North McDowell Boulevard which further strengthens
the visual and aesthetic character of this major corridor.
4. The modified Master Sign Program is substantially consistent with Planning Commission Resolution
2012-12 for the existing, approved Master Sign Program in that revisions were limited to new
provisions allowing for freeway oriented signage, as well as the other modifications discussed in the
staff report for the Planning Commission hearing on April 12, 2016. Additionally, the previously
approved Conditions of Approval have been incorporated herein or within the Master Sign
Program, where applicable.
5. The modified Master Sign Program conforms to the requirements of the Petaluma Implementing
Zoning Ordinance §20.140 for Freeway Oriented Signage, including the freeway oriented sign
standards, Caltrans compliance, and design considerations. The Planning Commission reviewed the
modified Master Sign Program and is able to make the additional freeway oriented sign standard
findings contained in IZO §20.140.D in that:
a. Freeway oriented signs shall be limited to permanent wall -mounted signs (Master Sign
Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #6);
b. Freestanding freeway oriented signs shall be prohibited (Master Sign Program, Page 3, the
Following Signs and Elements are Prohibited section, Item #11);
c. Major tenant buildings were previously granted SPAR approval with findings related to four
sided architecture and sufficient detailing of buildings along the Highway 101 frontage, and
no modifications to building elevations are proposed as part of this project;
d. The wall -mounted font, logos, flourishes, or other symbols shall not exceed two feet in height
(Master Sign Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item # 1);
e. Freeway oriented signs shall only be considered for tenants in retail shopping centers with a
facade that abuts the freeway and under the square footage thresholds and associated
maximum letter height outlined in the IZO (Master Sign Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs
section, Item # 1);
f. Sign area shall be calculated based on 1 square foot of sign area per linear foot of building
fagade with direct freeway frontage up to 60 square feet (Master Sign Program, Page 3,
Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #3);
g. Maximum sign length shall not exceed 30 feet encompassing all elements of the sign (Master
Sign Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #4);
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-03 Page 2
h. Sign area of freeway oriented signs shall be included in the total maximum sign area for the
retail shopping center, and the addition of freeway oriented signs shall not increase the
allowable sign area or number of signs for a specific tenant as permitted in the Master Sign
Program because the Sign Program Matrix (Master Sign Program, Page 7) outlines maximum
allowable sign area for each tenant, and a provision has been included addressing the
addition of freeway oriented signs with relation to allowable sign area (Master Sign Program,
Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #5);
i. Freeway oriented wall signs will consist of individual letters, logos, and flourishes and will be
mounted directly on the building wall (Master Sign Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs
section, Item #6);
j. Cabinet signs are prohibited as freeway oriented signs (Master Sign Program, Page 3, the
Following Signs and Elements are Prohibited section, Item # 1);
k. Lighting on proposed freeway oriented signs will minimize glare and distractions to motorists
on the rights-of-way since the signs will not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity or color
(Master Sign Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #7);
Signs will have internally illuminated letters, logos, or flourishes using halo backlit illumination
(Master Sign Program, Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #7), and the light shall be
LED technology or other sustainable technology providing white light (Master Sign Program,
Page 3, Freeway Lighting section, Item #1);
m. Temporary signage of any nature shall not be permitted as freeway oriented signs (Master
Sign Program, Page 3, the Following Signs and Elements are Prohibited section, Item #2); and
n. The same detail and design criteria is applied to all signs proposed on freeway oriented
building frontages of the retail shopping center, as shown through the general provisions set
forth on Pages 3 and 5 of the Master Sign Program, including type styles and logos, lighting,
colors, prohibitions, sign area calculations, sign section details, fabrication, installation, and
maintenance criteria, and as written into Item #10 under the Freeway Wall Signs section on
Page 3.
6. Notice was provided to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in accordance
with IZO §20.140.E. No comments were provided by Caltrans.
7. The Planning Commission also considered the design considerations outlined in IZO §20.140.F in
order to increase the effectiveness of the freeway oriented signs and to enhance the built
environment, whereas freeway oriented signs will have consistent sizing and placement on
building facades (Master Sign Program, Pages 3 and 8-10), exhibit regional and national
recognized logo colors while also recognizing compatibility and contrast with buildings (Master
Sign Program, Page 3), and conceal electrical raceways from public view (Master Sign Program,
Page 3, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #9).
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-03 Page 3
8. The modified Master Sign Program is consistent with Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance
§24.010 - Site Plan and Architectural Review, whereas all required findings for Site Plan and
Architectural Review found in §24.010(G) can be made in that:
a. The Master Sign Program proposes appropriate use of quality materials that are in harmony
and compatible to the surrounding buildings, seeks to assure consistent quality, size, variety,
and placement for all tenant signs throughout the project site (Master Sign Program, Pages 1
and 3) and will ensure freeway oriented signs are proportioned to freeway frontage and
tenant size;
b. The Master Sign Program includes specific provisions regarding the size, location, design,
color, number, lighting, and materials of all signs within the Deer Creek Village shopping
center (Master Sign Program, Pages 1-5);
c. The proposed project would not modify the bulk, height and color of proposed or approved
structures, as it is a Master Sign Program that only regulates signs within the shopping center;
and
d. The project does not modify the architectural style or siting of existing or approved
development within the shopping center, nor does it modify onsite landscaping or
circulation.
9. The modified Master Sign Program will not constitute a nuisance or be detrimental to the public
welfare of the community because it will be operated in conformance with performance standards
specified in the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance.
10. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the staff report, all supporting, referenced,
and incorporated documents, and all comments received and foregoing findings, the Planning
Commission hereby approves Site Plan and Architectural Review for the modified Master Sign
Program, subject to the conditions of approval attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
ADOPTED this 12th day of April, 2016, by the following vote:
Commission Member
Aye
No
Absent
Abstain
Councilmember Barrett
X
Vice Chair Benedetti-Petnic
X
Gomez
X
Chair Lin
X
Marzo
X
Pierre
X
Wolpert
X
Planning Commission Resolution No, 2016-03 Page 4
ATTEST:
c lyn Lin, e air
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Hines, CornMjgsion Secretary Eric W. Danly, City
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-03
Page 5
Exhibit 1
SPAR CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Deer Creek Village Master Sign Program
Located at North McDowell Boulevard and Rainier Avenue
APNs: 007-380-033, 007-380-034, and 007-380-035
FILE NO. PLSR-15-0014
1. This approval is for the modified Master Sign Program date stamped March 17, 2016, prepared by
Pacific Neon Company and including all sign program provisions (Pages 1 to 27).
2. Prior to building permit (sign permit) issuance, all applicable development impact fees shall be paid.
3. The site shall be kept cleared at all times of garbage and debris. No outdoor storage shall be
permitted.
4. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City or any of its boards, commissions,
agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City, its boards,
commissions, agents, officers, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul any of the approvals
of the project, when such claim or action is brought within the time period provided for in
applicable State and/or local statutes. The City shall promptly notify the applicants/developers of
any such claim, action, or proceeding. The City shall coordinate in the defense. Nothing contained
in this condition shall prohibit the City from participating in a defense of any claim, action, or
proceeding and if the City chooses to do so appellant shall reimburse City for attorneys' fees by the
City.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-03 Page 6