HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2021-16 08/24/2021 DocuSign Envelope ID:AF61`1 EEC-4AE7-4FFB-8C50-2072BEF8585E
RESOLUTION 2021 -16
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
FOR THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IDENTIFICATION SIGN
LOCATED AT 601 SKY RANCH DRIVE
FILE NO. PLSR-20-0014
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Municipal Airport (Airport) was established in 1915; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Municipal Airport is located on approximately 220 acres in East Petaluma
off of East Washington; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Municipal Airport is zoned under the Petaluma Airport Planned
Community District and associated Design Guidelines (Airport Design Guidelines); and
WHEREAS, the Airport Design Guidelines provide for a single airport identification sign to identify
the Airport and primary tenants; and
WHEREAS, the Airport Design Guidelines provide for discretion of the design, size, and placement
of the identification sign through the Site Plan and Architectural Review process; and
WHEREAS, the City proposed a new airport identification sign to replace the existing sign located
along the East Washington frontage (Project); and
WHEREAS, the proposed sign was reviewed and recommended by the City's Airport Commission;
and
WHEREAS, in September 2020 the City Council considered and approved a contract for the
fabrication and installation of the airport identification sign subject to the Planning Commission's review
as required in the Airport Design Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the Project on
August 24, 2021, at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, public notice of the August 24, 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 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 August 24,
2021 and all public testimony provided prior to and at the public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the proposed monument stand 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.
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-16 Page 1
DocuSign Envelope ID:AF61`1 EEC-4AE7-4FFB-8C50-2072BEF8585E
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 monument stand 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.
Petaluma Municipal Airport Planned Community District
a. The Project as proposed is consistent with the Petaluma Municipal Airport Planned Community
District regulations and design guidelines as adopted on May 12, 1988 and outlined in the August
24, 2021 Planning Commission staff report.
Implementing Zoning Ordinance
a. The project is consistent with relevant provisions of IZO Section 20.030 (Signs: General Provisions) as
follows:
• The proposed airport identification sign is designed to identify the Petaluma Municipal Airport
and key tenants within the Airport property for visitors traveling on East Washington. The
vehicular nature of the land use and the increased speed limit on East Washington in this
specific area are conducive to a larger sign. The proposed sign exceeds five feet but is
appropriately sized and placed to alert drivers as they approach the airport from either the
east or west direction. The lack of specific standards in the PCD (maximum height, sign area,
etc) and the reference to the SPAR process, which is not typically required for a single sign,
provides the Planning Commission the flexibility to review for appropriateness of the proposed
sign in the setting and context.
• The proposed sign is not illuminated.
• The proposed sign is not erected in a manner that will interfere with, obstruct, confuse, or
mislead traffic or create a traffic hazard. The sign is proposed at the entry to the Airport and
will be placed consistent with required vision triangle.
• The propeller detail on the proposed airport identification sign makes design reference to the
airport land use. The proposed blade if fixed and a condition has been added to the draft
resolution requiring that the propeller be fixed so to eliminate any potential spinning or
movement of the sign consistent with this general provision as provided in the IZO.
• The proposed sign is sited at the intersection of East Washington and Executive Drive at the
entrance to the Petaluma Airport. A condition of approval is included in the draft resolution
requiring that the vision triangle as called for in the IZO is satisfied in the final placement of the
identification sign and to ensure that there is safe visibility at the intersection.
b. The Project is consistent with Implementing Zoning Ordinance §24.010-Site Plan and Architectural
Review, and has a satisfactory design quality and harmony, in that all required findings found in
§24.010(G) can be made as follows:
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-16 Page 2
DocuSign Envelope ID:AF6F1 EEC-4AE7-4FFB-8C50-2072BEF8585E
• The project proposes to use durable materials including aluminum, acrylic and vinyl, and a
clear-coated 3-blade propeller on each sign frontage. The 15-foot tall sign provides clear
wayfinding for traffic and is located a safe distance from signalized traffic infrastructure,
including a pedestrian crossing. Accordingly, there is an appropriate use of quality materials
and harmony in proportion of the sign and is consistent with IZO Section 24.010(G)(1)(a).
• The design of the proposed sign includes details to both make it appropriate for the overall
neighborhood and the land use it serves. The 15-foot monument sign has a tapered design,
arced top, and a fixed 3-blade propeller. The sign is sited and sized to be identify the
Petaluma Municipal Airport which has a regional draw in Sonoma County, identify primary
tenants within the airport with the four small tenant panels, and be readily visible from a
east/west bound vehicle at speeds typical on East Washington. As such, the design is
appropriate for the project and compatible with the overall character of the neighborhood
and is consistent with IZO Section 24.010(G)(1)(b).
• The siting of the sign is appropriate for the location and land use. It provides cohesive
identification of the airport from East Washington corridor and is sited to maintain safety and
visibility at the intersection of East Washington and Executive Drive. The placement of the
sign maximizes separation from the residential land uses to the west. As such, the Project is
consistent with IZO Section 24.010(G)(1)(c).
• The project proposes a grayscale colorway and no illumination, providing a reduced visual
impact for neighboring residential land uses across East Washington Street. Additionally, the
proposed color scheme mirrors the industrial appearance of hangars and other accessory
buildings within the Airport PCD. The proposed sign will contain space for advertisement of
four tenants, resulting in a single cohesive sign design which will reduce the overall number
of signs located in the vicinity. As such, the Project is consistent with IZO Section
24.010(G)(1)(d).
• The proposed sign is 15-feet tall and set along the East Washington frontage well separated
from any other structures within the airport. The proposed massing provides visibility without
overshadowing the surround natural landscapes visible from the immediate neighborhood.
As such, the project is consistent with IZO Section 24.010(G)(1)(e).
• The proposed sign will not conflict with any existing plantings. No additional plantings are
proposed as part of the project. As such, the project is consistent with IZO Section
24.010(G)(2).
• Provided the nature of the use, primary access to and from the site will be via automobile.
Existing sidewalks and Class II bike lanes exist along East Washington Street will not be
affected by the proposed sign.The distance of the sign from the intersection of East
Washington and Executive Drive reduces impacts related to traffic lines of sight,while the 15
foot-tall massing creates better visibility for oncoming traffic along East Washington Street.
No changes will be made for ingress, egress, or internal circulation of traffic of any mode. As
such, the Project is consistent with IZO Sections 24.010(G)(3).
C. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the August 24, 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 Petaluma
Municipal Airport Identification Sign Project.
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-16 Page 3
DocuSign Envelope ID:AF6F1 EEC-4AE7-4FFB-8C50-2072BEF8585E
ADOPTED this 241h day of August 2021, by the following vote:
Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain
Councilmember Fischer X
Chair Potter X
Vice Chair Bauer X
Alonso X
Hooper X
Rider X
Whisman X
DocuSigned by:
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Heidi Bauer, Vice Chair
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DocuSigned by: DocuSigned by:
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Heather Hines, Commission Secretary Dylan Brady, Assistant City Attorney
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-16 Page 4
DocuSign Envelope ID:AF61`1 EEC-4AE7-4FFB-8C50-2072BEF8585E
Exhibit 1
SPAR CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
PETALUMA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IDENTIFICATION SIGN
601 SKY RANCH DRIVE
FILE NO. PLSR-20-0014
1. 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 dated July 23, 2021 except as modified
by these conditions of approval.
2. The monument sign shall not exceed an overall height of 15 feet.
3. All existing signs located at the East Washington frontage associated with the Petaluma Municipal
Airport shall be removed prior to installation of the new identification sign.
4. The propeller blade feature in the approved sign design shall be fixed.
5. The final location of the identification sign shall maintain the visual triangle as required by IZO Section
20.030.
6. 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).
7. Both construction and post-construction operations shall comply with all performance standards of
Implementing Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21.
8. The site shall be kept cleared at all times of garbage and debris. No outdoor storage shall be
permitted.
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-16 Page 5