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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-14-94-Adjourned w CDC MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MELTING JUNE 14, 1994 The City Council /Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 4:30 p.m., June 14, 1994, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor /Chairman Robert S. Brazelton presiding. PRESENT: Council Members /Commissioners: Robert S. Brazelton Mayor /Chairman Barbara J. Riley Mayor Pro Tem/Vice- Chairman Joyce L. Lawrence Diane P. Boggs ABSENT: Gary P. McCaughan, M.D. (Excused) ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director Tim McOsker, City Attorney (arrived at 6:05 p.m.) Judith McDonnell, City Clerk /Secretary Art Rangel, Asst. Executive Director /Director of Economic and Community Development Bob Gallagher, Building Official Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Dir. of Community Dev. /City Planner Marco Martinez, Assistant Planner Cindi Lee, Executive Secretary The Community Development Commission recessed at 4:31 p.m. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION! TO REVIEW RECOMMENDED MAN G= PROPOSED 11 DOINEY MUNICIPAL CODE mumwearr NO. 94-05 TO TEE CITY'S SICK ORDINANCE Mr. Rangel discussed the extensive process undertaken during the past two years by staff, the Downey Chamber of Commerce, Planning Commission, and the public regarding review of proposed changes to the City's Sign Ordinance. He indicated that Mr. Yoshiki and Mr. Martinez will present the proposed revisions for consideration. Mr. Yoshiki referenced the "Table of Substantive Changes" in the staff report, which represents 49 modifications to the current Sign Ordinance. He • indicated that 18 of the 49 proposed amendments are unsubstantive text changes but necessary for clarity reasons. The important proposed Purpose and Intent Statement focuses on the necessary signage for business community needs, while maintaining a balance of aesthetics and quality in the visual environment. The intent of the Statement is to allow signage for business identification from the public right -of -way, and also accommodate technological advances in future advertising, i.e., electronic attraction boards. Council Member Boggs questioned the intent of the words "providing direction and information" on a sign, and was informed this allows sign copy to indicate directions to businesses and conveys the nature of the business. City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 6/14/94 -1- Mr. Martinez narrated a slide presentation, discussing the methods Ised by staff, the Chamber of Commerce, and the public in reviewing the sign Ordinance, including touring other communities to view various sign types, colors, sizes, etc. He discussed issues involving multi- tenant signs and blanking - out signs on vacated businesses for aesthetic and practical purposes. Definitions were changed regarding calculation of sign area for various types of signs, and additional language was inserted to address logos and marquee signs. The attraction board definition was eliminated to incorporate new sign technologies as they are marketed. Clarification changes were made relating to measurement of height, i.e., signs located on berms or slightly elevated landscaped mounds, rear wall signs, and church signs. New standards are proposed which will allow contiguous supplemental language on 25 percent of the overall copy area of a sign; the name and type of business would be identified on the remaining 75 percent of a sign. Proposed modified regulations were discussed for window signs, freestanding signs, service station signs, and monument signs identifying shopping centers. Political signs were reviewed at the Planning Commission hearing, where public testimony was considered. Additional language was included for sign standards in the new Commercial - Manufacturing Zone. Mr. Yoshiki discussed a significant change to the Sign Ordinance, the Planned Sign Program, which will encourage good design practice while providing signing variety and better visibility for multi- tenant buildings whose businesses may not be visible from the street. He narrated a brief slide presentation that reflected developments parallel to the street with visible signage, noting that staff is concerned with equitable treatment if these businesses are allowed multi- tenant signage in addition to their current signs. Mr. Carl Westerhoff, President, Downey Chamber of Commerce, 11500 Brookshire Ave., commented on the cooperation and collaborative work done by staff, the business community, and other interested parties, on the proposed Sign Ordinance. He expressed concern that small businesses would not qualify for the Planned Sign Program based on minimum size requirements for participation. The Chamber recommends that smaller developments be permitted the option of using a maximum of 75 percent for individual tenant identification and a minimum of 25 percent for the center identification. Small, multi- tenant properties are not allowed the opportunity for multi - tenant identification on a monument sign, which is an option available in neighboring cities. He narrated a brief slide presentation, depicting businesses that have a visibility problem because of the property setback. He requested this modification be given consideration by Council, noting the Chamber is in concurrence with the remainder of the proposed Sign Ordinance changes. The Chamber would also agree with imposing certain restrictions on multi- tenant signage to avoid a cluttered appearance. Mr. Ed DiLoreto, 7333 Rio Flora P1., representing "Citizens for Downey," referenced a letter endorsing the Chamber of Commerce and its proposed changes to the Sign Ordinance. Noting the amount of time taken for this review process, he advocated cooperation between the City and community, suggested enforcement be tempered to accommodate special cases, and recommended innovative methods be utilized to encourage public participation in the government process. City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 6/14/94 -2- • Mr. Guy Sterner, 10303 Downey Ave., owner of commercial property locate? on Firestone Blvd., mentioned there was a real sharing of ideas, concerns, and cooperative efforts on the Chamber Sign Subcommittee. He stressed that thre important principles of fairness, flexibility, and revision need to be considered when referring to the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Sterner expressed concern for the small businessman's needs, noting that signage flexibility is vital to these businesses. He recommended that problems with the Sign Ordinance be reviewed and addressed when needed to avoid a lengthy, and sometimes unnecessary process of re- examining the entire Sign Ordinance. Mr. Hank Lorey (sp.?), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 13 200 Clark Ave., requested larger identification signage for the Lutheran Church to allow better visibility from the street. Dr. John Sims, 8232 Third St., voiced dismay at the amount of time spent on reviewing the Sign Ordinance and proposed changes, and urged preservation of commercial property in the City. Mr. Mike Prokop, 10444 Julius Ave., Member of the Chamber Sign Subcommittee, indicated the main problem continues to be the multi- tenant signing issue, and encouraged Council consideration of the Chamber's requested proposal on this matter. Mr. McOsker arrived at 6:05 p.m. Council Member Lawrence commented on areas where businesses are set back from the street with little visibility, and also cases where businesses abut the property line and still have problems with visible signage. She mentioned that perhaps these concerns could be addressed in the Planned Sign Program. Mr. Yoshiki noted that if small businesses combined or worked together, they would qualify for the Planned Sign Program. Responding to other questions, he indicated that staff studied the aspect of sign angles to the street, and vehicle speed considerations. Mr. Rangel mentioned the problem of restricting sign colors and script when company logos are used on a building. Council Member Boggs inquired about security concerns when windows are covered with signs, i.e., liquor stores, and was informed the allowable sign coverage area of 50% was considered reasonable. Discussion ensued regarding the length of time taken to review the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Sterner noted his recommendation was to review and remedy problem areas of the Sign Ordinance as they occur, instead of revising the entire Sign Ordinance, which is a lengthy process. Mr. Caton asked if Council would like the option available of considering the proposed language suggested by the Chamber for multi- tenant signage at the next Council meeting. Upon consensus of the Council, Mayor Brazelton directed staff to return with the option of said language for Council consideration. City Council /Conan. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 6/14/94 -3- Mayor Brazelton expressed concern with clutter and aesthetics and asked staff to closely monitor these a - Aas . Council Member 3oggs em- .sized the need for clear visibility of addresses on building to assis= :he public in locating a particular place. Mr. DiLoreto agreed with Council Member Boggs' comments regarding the importance of address identification on buildings. Mr. Prokop noted the main objection to multi- tenant signage, as proposed by the Chamber, has been the concern of creating clutter. This issue could be addressed by restricting color and type styles allowed on signs for smaller businesses, which usually do not have logo signage. The Council concluded the study session of the City's Sign Ordinance. The Community Development Commission reconvened in joint session with the City Council at 6:25 p.m. APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES - MAY 24, 1994 It was moved by Council Member Boggs, seconded by Council Member Lawrence, and so ordered to approve the Closed Session Minutes of May 24, 1994. CLOSED SESSION Mayor /Chairman Brazelton announced the Council /Commission is recessing to Closed Session to discuss the following Sections of the Government Code: SECTION 54956.9, Subdivision (b) - Conference with Legal Counsel regarding initiation of litigation - one matter; SECTION 54957.6 - Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell regarding d ction for labor negotiations with Downey Firemen's Association. The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:40 p.m. with four Council _ Members /Commissioners present (Council Member /Commissioner McCaughan absent) , and immediately recessed. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:05 p . m. with four Council Members /Commissioners present; Council Member /Commissioner McCaughan absent (see Oral Communications under Regular City Council Meeting) , and recessed at 8:10 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:15 p.m. with four Council Members/ Commissioners present; Council Member /Commissioner McCaughan absent. ADAT 8:15 p.m. L21:-/ // ) /4)0 - _ ‘te A ti u: i th E. McDonnell, City Clerk/ • . ber S. r . ze"to ` Mayo "? S cretary Chairman City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 6/14/94 -4-