HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2021-06 03/09/2021 DocuSign Envelope ID:9803EF48-0763-4402-9DBD-DF4A60CFA613
RESOLUTION 2021 -06
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE
AUTO CENTER PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICT TO AMEND
REFERENCE TO A FREESTANDING DIGITAL SIGN AS AN ACCESSORY USE
APN: 150-020-037
FILE NO. PLMA-20-0005
WHEREAS, Matt Rogers or Rogers of Rogers Media Company submitted an application on behalf
of property owner Henry Hansel for the Auto Plaza Sign Replacement Project (Project), including a Minor
Modification to the Auto Plaza Planned Community District (PCD), and Site Plan and Architectural Review
(SPAR) for a 45-foot tall freestanding digital advertising sign to replace the existing 65-foot tall freestanding
digital sign; and
WHEREAS, the City and developer of the Auto Center entered into a Disposition and Development
Agreement in 1990; and
WHEREAS,the executed DDA included a provision for the developer to install a freestanding digital
advertising sign; and
WHEREAS, in 1992 the City adopted the Auto Center Planned Community District, establishing the
district and unique zoning guidelines for the Auto Center; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Auto Center PCD is to promote harmonious and coordinated
commercial development in the district; and
WHEREAS, Section III of the PCD identifies a 60 foot tall freestanding digital display sign as a
principally permitted accessory use in the district; and
WHEREAS, the existing freestanding digital display sign was constructed consistent with the
provision for such in the DDA and PCD; and
WHEREAS, after almost 30 years the applicant has proposed replacement of the existing sign; and
WHEREAS, the applicant submitted an application for Site Plan and Architectural Review
consistent with Section XXIV of the PCD; and
WHEREAS, the applicant also submitted an application for minor modification to the PCD to align
with the 45-tall replacement sign; and
WHEREAS,Section 19.040.E of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) provides for modifications
to existing PCDs; and
WHEREAS, the requests for modifications was submitted to the Director in written form and
accompanied with maps, statements and other information to support the proposed modification in
accordance with IZO Section 19.040.E.1; and
WHEREAS, the proposed modifications have been determined by the Director to be minor in
nature and clearly inconsequential to the overall purpose of the PCD, consistent with IZO
Section 1 9.040.E.4; and
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-06 Page 1
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WHEREAS, consistent with IZO Section 19.040.E.4, the Director has referred the minor modification
to the Planning Commission for review and approval of the minor modification, concurrently with
consideration of the associated SPAR for the replacement sign; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider both the PCD
amendment and SPAR on March 9, 2021, at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be
heard; and
WHEREAS, public notice of the March 9, 2021 Planning Commission hearing was published in the
Petaluma Argus-Courier and mailed to residents and occupants within 1,000 feet of the Project site in
compliance with state and local law; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing sign was posted on site at least 17 days prior to the Planning
Commission meeting, consistent with the City Council Resolution No. 18-107; and
WHEREAS, at said hearing, the Planning Commission considered the staff report, dated March 9,
2021 and all public testimony provided prior to and at the public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Auto Plaza Sign Replacement Project is categorically exempt from the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") in accordance with Section 15302 of
the CEQA Guidelines as the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the
new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the
same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS
FOLLOWS:
A. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
B. Based on its review of the entire record herein, the Planning Commission makes the following
findings:
California Environmental Quality Act
a. The proposed Auto Plaza Sign Replacement Project is categorically exempt from the requirements
of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") in accordance with Section 15302 of the
CEQA Guidelines as the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where
the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have
substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
Implementing Zoning Ordinance
a. The project is consistent with Implementing Zoning Ordinance Section 19.040.E - Modification of
PCD, in that all required findings as outlined in Section 19.030 can be made as follows:
i. The modifications to the PCD maintain the intent of the original PCD since it accommodates
the same development pattern and uses but in a manner that allows replacement of the
existing freestanding digital advertising sign; and
ii. the Auto Center PCD, as amended, has a suitable relationship to one or more thoroughfares
and the proposed amendments relate to signage and do not create additional traffic
consistent with IZO Section 19.030.A.
iii. The Auto Center Planned Community District, as amended, enables the continuation of a
unified and organized arrangement of buildings and service facilities which are appropriate
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in relation to adjacent or nearby properties consistent with IZO Section 19.030.13.
iv. The Auto Center PCD, as amended, would allow for installation of a replacement sign that
would significantly reduce the height and massing from the existing sign and improve the
aesthetic quality as viewed from Highway 101 and does not alter the existing layout of the
district or modify public or private spaces consistent with IZO Section 19.030.C.
V. The proposed modification minimally modifies the existing Auto Center PCD to allow a
modified and significantly smaller freestanding advertising sign for the district. as amended the
Auto Center PCD will not be detrimental to the public welfare,will be in the best interest of the
City in that it reduces the height and massing of the sign from what is currently allowed, and
will be in keeping with the general intent of and spirit of the zoning regulations of the City of
Petaluma.
vi. Accordingly, the proposed modification, clearly results in a more desirable use of land and a
better physical environment than would be possible under any single zoning district.
C. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the March 9, 2021 Planning Commission staff
report, all supporting, referenced, and incorporated documents, and all comments received, the
Planning Commission hereby approves minor modifications to Section III of the Auto Plaza PCD to
read as follows:
III. PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE: The following are the permitted accessory uses in the
Petaluma Auto Center Community District:
1. One freestanding digital advertising sign not to exceed 45 feet in height,with a double
sided digital display not to exceed 10 feet by 36 feet, consistent with all conditions of
Planning Commission Resolution No 2021-07 approving Site Plan and Architectural
Review, and consistent with the terms of the original executed PCD developer
disposition and development agreement.
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ADOPTED this 9th day of March 2021, by the following vote:
Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain
Councilmember Fischer X
Chair Bauer X
Vice Chair Alonso X
Hooper X
Marzo X
Potter X
Rider X
DocuSigned by:
t4oEje >-Chair
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DocuSigned by: DocuSigned by:
MWWR-7Commission Secretary fffCllq-Attorney
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-06 Page 4