HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2021-07 03/09/2021 DocuSign Envelope ID:9803EF48-0763-4402-9DBD-DF4A60CFA613
RESOLUTION 2021 -07
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
FOR THE AUTO PLAZA SIGN REPLACEMENT
LOCATED AT 1120 AUTO CENTER DRIVE
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, 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 Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the Project 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 hearings, 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, on March 9, 2021, the Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 2021-OX
approving minor modifications to the Auto Center PCD to allow for a modification to the text of the Auto
Center PCD to provide for the replacement of the existing freestanding Auto Plaza digital advertising sign;
and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2021, the Planning Commission approved Site Plan and Architectural
Review for the Project.
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.
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General Plan
a. The Project is, for the reasons discussed in the March 9, 2021 Planning Commission staff report,
consistent with the following General Plan policies:
Policy 9-P-19 Insure the long term fiscal health of Petaluma, as the City continues to develop,
balancing fiscal concerns with economic, social, and environmental, and cultural
values.
Policy 7-P-8 Anticipate, plan for, and react to changes in technology.
Goal7-G-3 Encourage the development of technology to increase participation in local
governance and improve access to City information.
Policy 7-P-1 1 Use technology to facilitate the exchange of information between local
government and the public.
Policy 7-P-23 Continue to utilize the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to provide early
warning of a response to all life-threatening hazards, such as earthquakes, floods,
landslides, severe storms, and hazardous materials incidents.
Goal4-P-4 Reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources in existing and new
development.
Policy 4-P-19 Encourage use and development of renewable or non traditional sources of
energy.
Auto Plaza Planned Community District
a. The project as proposed and conditioned is consistent with the Auto Plaza Planned Community
District guidelines as amended by the Planning Commission's approval of Resolution No. 2021-06.
b. Consistent with the Section XXIV of the Auto Plaza PCD Guidelines, the applicant has submitted
signed consent from a majority of the property owners within the boundaries of the PCD indicating
support and consent for the proposed project.
Implementing Zoning Ordinance
a. The project is consistent with Implementing Zoning Ordinance§24.010-Site Plan and Architectural
Review, in that all required findings found in §24.010(G) can be made as follows:
ii. The project proposes to use durable materials including a 4' diameter aluminum post with
exterior brushed metallic finish. The sign replaces the existing 65-foot tall Auto Plaza
freestanding sign and eliminates the large stucco surround to reduce the massing and
present a minimalist high quality digital advertising sign.
iii. The proposed replacement sign has a minimalist design to create the least obtrusive
structure around a new digital display that is the same size as the existing Auto Plaza sign.
While not of a specific architectural design, the sign replacement is appropriate to the
context of the existing Auto Plaza and advertising directed at nearby traffic on Highway
101.
iv. The proposed replacement sign will be placed in the same location as the existing
freestanding Auto Plaza sign on private property and outside of all applicable easements.
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V. The proposed replacement sign is located in the same location as the existing freestanding
sign and replaces the existing 10 foot by 36 foot digital display with a updated LED digital
display of the same size. The surrounding structure is significantly reduced from the existing
sign with a minimalist pole design and a reduced height of 45 feet. The updated digital
lighting will be automated to adjust to the outdoor light and weather conditions and will
recalibrate automatically and nearly continuous to adjust accordingly. The resulting light
impact from the new sign will be less than the existing and the new sign will use updated
technology to significantly reduce the energy consumption of the sign.
vi. The proposed replacement sign will have a significantly reduced bulk and will be
approximately 20 feet shorter than the existing freestanding sign. This reduction will be
more in keeping with other structures in the neighborhood but will maintain visibility from
Highway 101 consistent with the existing advertising structure.
vii. The proposed sign will not conflict with any existing plantings and the project does not
propose any new planting or landscape improvements.
viii. The proposed replacement sign will not modify any ingress or egress to the site or internal
circulation to the Auto Plaza. The sign will be located in the same location and the digital
advertising will be the same nature and size of the existing sign. Therefore, there is no
modification impacting adjacent Highway 101 and it appears that the proposed
replacement sign maintains consistency with the existing permit from CalTrans under the
California Outdoor Advertising Act, Business and Professions Code Section 5200.
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 Site Plan and Architectural Review for the Auto Plaza
Sign Replacement Project, subject to the conditions of approval attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
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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:
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DocuSigned by: DocuSigned by:
�k»uFlsiiss �..Commission Secretary iF® may Attorney
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-07 Page 4
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Exhibit 1
SPAR CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
AUTO PLAZA SIGN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
1120 AUTO CENTER DRIVE
APN: 150-020-037
FILE NO. PLMA-20-005
l. Plans submitted to the City of Petaluma for purposes of construction shall be in substantial
conformance with the plans on file with the Planning Division, including the Site Plan dated
March 11, 2020 and photo renderings dated September 9, 2020 except as modified by these
conditions of approval.
2. The freestanding digital reader shall not exceed an area of 10 feet by 36 feet, contain more
than two displays, or exceed an overall height of 45 feet.
3. This approval is effective for a twelve (12) month period unless the permit has been exercised
or unless an extension of time is approved in compliance with IZO §24.010(J).
4. Both construction and post-construction operations shall comply with all performance
standards of Implementing Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21.
5. If the project budget exceeds $500,000 the applicant shall be subject to payment of public
art in lieu fee equal to 1% of the project budget, consistent with Chapter 18 of the
Implementing Zoning Ordinance. Said fees are due prior to issuance of building permit.
6. The site shall be kept cleared at all times of garbage and debris. No outdoor storage shall be
permitted.
7. 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.
8. The new sign shall be powered through Sonoma Clean Power's Evergreen Program to use
100% renewable energy. Prior to final inspection the applicant shall provide documentation
that the owner has moved to the Evergreen Program to satisfy this condition.
9. Confirmation of the anticipated energy use reduction from the existing sign shall be included
with application for building permit to verify at least 40%reduction in kWh energy consumption
as indicated by the applicant as part of the SPAR application materials.
10. The digital advertising sign shall be managed by Rogers Media Company or similar successor
to program, maintain, store, and modify sign copy.
11. The sign shall not exceed ten advertisements displayed at 6 second rotation on each display.
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12. The City of Petaluma shall be provided at least one of the rotating advertising spaces in the
rotating ad loop on each side of the sign for publicizing public service announcements, city
initiatives, or other events and activities of community interest as determined by the City
Manager.
13. The City of Petaluma may modify their advertising by submitting new sign copy to Rogers
Media Company for design and programing with changes as frequently as once per month.
14. In the event of a public emergency, including but not limited to wildfire, flood, heat wave,
evacuation orders, health orders, amber alerts, traffic accidents, etc., the City may take over
the sign to display public notifications through coordination and direction to Rogers Media
Company and with immediate response to modify and display emergency notification at the
direction of the City Manager or designee.
15. The location of the sign shall be entirely on private property and shall be placed outside of all
applicable easements on the property.
16. The applicant shall obtain an Encroachment Permit for any use or activity within the public
right-of-way prior to commencement of the project.
17. The sign shall exceed all applicable Title 24 energy standards and meet all applicable local
and state building code requirements.
18. Prior to issuance of a building permit the applicant shall provide documentation of a valid
permit from the State of California verifying that all applicable provisions of the California
Outdoor Advertising Act, Business and Professions Code Section 5200.
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