HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2017-12 06/27/2017RESOLUTION 2017-12
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR
A MODIFIED MASTER SIGN PROGRAM FOR THE EAST WASHINGTON PLACE SHOPPING CENTER
LOCATED AT 401 KENILWORTH DRIVE (APNs: 007-730-002, -03, -04, -05, -06, -07, and 08)
AND AT 866 EAST WASHINGTON STREET (APN: 007-031-004)
FILE NO. PLSR-15-0025
WHEREAS, Site Plan and Architectural Review for a Master Sign Program for the East Washington
Place shopping center was approved by the Planning Commission on March 13, 2012 (PC Resolution
2012-04), and subsequently appealed to the City Council, whereas the City Council denied in part and
granted the appeal in part on May 7, 2012 (CC Resolution 2012-060); and
WHEREAS, JSJ Electrical Display submitted an application, on behalf of property owner Regency
Petaluma LLC, for Site Plan and Architectural Review for a modified Master Sign Program for the East
Washington Place shopping center to allow for freeway oriented signage and other modifications (the
"Project"); and
WHEREAS, the proposed Master Sign Program incorporates previously approved Conditions of
Approval through Planning Commission Resolution 2012-04 for the existing, approved Master Sign
Program; and
WHEREAS, public notice was published in the Petaluma Argus -Courier and mailed to all residents
and occupants within 500 feet of the Project site in compliance with state and local law; 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 June 27, 2017, at which time all interested
parties had the opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, on June 27, 2017, the Planning Commission considered the staff report dated June 27,
2017, analyzing the application, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
determination included therein; and
WHEREAS, on June 27, 2017, the Planning Commission approved Site Plan and Architectural
Review for the modified East Washington Place Master Sign Program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS
FOLLOWS:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The proposed Master Sign Program is consistent with the provisions of the Petaluma General Plan
2025 and Implementing Zoning Ordinance, as outlined below.
a. The proposed project is, for the reasons discussed in the June 27, 2017 Planning Commission
staff report, consistent with the Petaluma General Plan. The Master Sign Program will conform to
the intent, goals, and policies of the Petaluma 2025 General Plan, including General Plan Policy
2-P-5 (provide unified signage along major corridor), Policy 2-P-6 (create a strong sense of entry
into the city), and Policy 2 -P -23(D) (ensure Fairgrounds property maintains active face at East
Washington Street).
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2017-12 Page 1
b. The modified Master Sign Program conforms to the requirements of 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 freeway oriented sign
standard findings found at IZO §20.140.D in that:
i. Freeway oriented signs shall be limited to permanent wall -mounted signs (Master Sign
Program, Page 6 (Freeway Wall Signs) Item #2);
ii. Freestanding freeway oriented signs shall be prohibited (Master Sign Program, Page 7
(Following Signs and Elements are Prohibited [Freeway]) Item #13);
iii. Major tenant buildings were previously granted SPAR approval (Planning Commission
Resolution 2010-04) with findings related to their architectural features and landscaping
along the Highway 101 frontage, and no modifications to building elevations are proposed
as part of this project;
iv. The wall -mounted font, logos, flourishes, or other symbols shall not exceed two feet in height
(Master Sign Program, Page 6 (Freeway Wall Signs) Item # 1);
v. Freeway oriented signs shall only be considered for tenants in retail shopping centers with a
fagade that abuts the freeway and under the square footage thresholds and associated
maximum letter height outlined in the IZO (Master Sign Program, Page 6 (Freeway Wall
Signs) Items #1 and #2);
vi. 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 6,
Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #3);
vii. Maximum sign length shall not exceed 30 feet encompassing all elements of the sign
(Master Sign Program, Page 6 (Freeway Wall Signs) Item #4);
viii. 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 Tenant Sign Matrix (Master Sign Program Page 12) 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 6 (Freeway Wall Signs) Item #5);
ix. 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 6 (Freeway Wall Signs)
Item #8);
x. Cabinet signs are prohibited as freeway oriented signs (Master Sign Program, Page 7
(Following Signs and Elements are Prohibited) Item #2);
A. 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 6, Freeway Wall Signs section, Item #9);
xii. Signs will have internally illuminated letters, logos, or flourishes using halo backlit illumination
(Master Sign Program, Page 6 (Freeway Wall Signs) Item #9), and the light shall be LED
technology or other sustainable technology providing white light (Master Sign Program,
Pages 6 through 7 (Lighting [Freeway] and Colors [Freeway]);
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2017-12 Page 2
xiii. Temporary signage of any nature shall not be permitted as freeway oriented signs (Master
Sign Program, Page 7 (Following Signs and Elements are Prohibited section) Item #12); and
xiv. 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 6 and 7 of the Master Sign Program, including type styles and logos, lighting,
colors, prohibitions, and sign area calculations, and as written on Page 6 (Freeway Wall
Signs) Item #6.
c. In accordance with IZO §20.140.E, notice was provided to the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans did not have any objections or comments on the project.
d. The Planning Commission also considered the design considerations outlined at 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 4, 13 through 26), utilize white translucent faces
with white internal LED illumination only (Master Sign Program, Page 7), and conceal electrical
raceways from public view (Master Sign Program, Page 6 (Freeway Wall Signs) Items # 15 and
#16).
e. The proposed Sonoma -Marin Fairgrounds sign is consistent with IZO Chapter 22 since the sign
will not be enlarged, extended, or moved to a different portion of the lot. And although the
proposed sign does not eliminate the non -conformity, it does reduce the overall size and height
compared to the existing sign. The fairgrounds sign is consistent with IZO Chapter 24 because
the revised sign incorporates materials and colors complementary to surrounding buildings,
displays messages related to fairgrounds site activities, and as conditioned will be appropriately
sited and adequately setback from the street to preserve sight distances for vehicle circulation.
The new fairgrounds sign supports General Plan policies, including Policy 2-P-5 (strengthens
visual and aesthetic character of East Washington Street) and Policy 2 -P -23-D (maintains a
public, pedestrian, and active face along East Washington Street).
f. The modified Master Sign Program is consistent with Implementing Zoning Ordinance §24.010 -
Site Plan and Architectural Review, whereas all required findings for Site Plan and Architectural
Review at §24.010(G) can be made in that:
i. 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
4, 13 through 26) and will ensure freeway oriented signs are proportioned to freeway
frontage and tenant size;
ii. The Master Sign Program includes specific provisions regarding the size, location, design,
color, number, lighting, and materials of all signs within the East Washington Place shopping
center (Master Sign Program, Pages 4-9);
iii. 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 signage, and therefore this
finding is not applicable;
iv. 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 and
therefore this finding is not applicable; and
v. The project will not modify site access, as it is a Master Sign Program that only regulates
signage. However as conditioned, the new Sonoma -Marin Fairgrounds freestanding sign will
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2017-12 Page 3
be sited in appropriately sited and adequately setback from the street to preserve sight
distances for vehicles.
3. The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), under CEQA Guidelines § 15311(a) (Accessory Structures, On -Premise Signs), as
a Master Sign Program that will result in the construction and placement of sign structures that are
accessory to the existing East Washington Place shopping center. The project also does not trigger
any of the exceptions to the exemption outlined at CEQA Guidelines § 15300.2.
4. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the June 27, 2017 Planning Commission
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 East Washington Place Master Sign Program, subject to the conditions of
approval attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
ADOPTED this 27th day of June, 2017, by the following vote:
Commission Member
Aye
No
Absent
Abstain
Councilmember Albertson
X
Benedetti-Petnic
X
Chair Gomez
X
Lin
X
Vice Chair Marzo
X
Pierre
X
Wolpert
X
ATTEST:
r
F fiPather Hines, Cormission Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2017-12 Page 4
SPAR CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
East Washington Place Master Sign Program
Located at 401 Kenilworth Drive and 866 East Washington Street
APNs: 007-730-002, -03, -04, -05, -06, -07, and 08, & 007-031-004
FILE NO: PLSR-15-0025
Plannina Division
Exhibit 1
1. This approval is for the modified Master Sign Program date stamped June 13, 2017, prepared by JSJ
Electrical Display, and including Exhibit 1 (Wayfinding Signage). Furthermore, this approval supersedes
in whole the previous approval granted by City Council Resolution No. 2012-060 N.C.S. on May 7, 2012.
2. A ground lease, easement, or other instrument determined sufficient by the City Attorney to permit
erection of the Sonoma -Marin Fairgrounds freestanding sign on public property at East Washington
Street, as depicted on Page 10 of the Master Sign Program and at Attachment F of the June 27, 2017
Planning Commission staff report, shall be prepared by the applicant and reviewed and approved by
the City prior to installation of said sign.
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.
Department of Public Works and Utilities
5. Prior to Building Permit issuance, the applicant shall provide signed and sealed sight distance
calculations by a licensed California Civil Engineer for the proposed Sonoma -Marin Fairgrounds sign
location, per Caltrans requirements. No Building Permit associated with the project shall be issued
until the Department of Public Works and Utilities has approved these sight distance calculations. In
the event that such calculations conclude non -conformity with applicable requirements, the
fairground sign shall either be relocated if feasible, or the approval of said sign shall become void.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2017-12 Page 5