HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution 13-2855 RESOLUTION NO. 13-2855
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY APPROVING REVISION 'A' TO PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM NO. 00-
10 AND REVOKING VARIANCE NO. 00-49 (PLN-13-00209), THEREBY
APPROVING THE SIZE, COLOR, AND LOCATION OF ALL SIGNS ON
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9100 FIRESTONE, ZONED SP 91-2
(LAKEWOOD/FIRESTONE SPECIFIC PLAN).
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby find,
determine and declare that:
A. On July 5, 2000, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 2068, thereby
approving Variance No. 00-49 to allow the subject site to deviate from the size and
number of signs allowed on the property; and
B. On October 9, 2000, the Design Review Board approved Planned Sign Program No. 00-
10, thereby approving the size, color, and locations of all signs on the site; and,
C. On October 1, 2013, the applicant (Cynthia Lima) submitted the request for to revise the
approved Planned Sign Program and to revoke the existing Variance.; and,
D. On October 3, 2013, notice of the pending application published in the Downey Patriot
and mailed to all property owners within 500' of the subject site; and,
E. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on October 16, 2013, and
after fully considering all oral and written testimony and facts and opinions offered at the
aforesaid public hearing adopted this resolution.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares the
environmental impact of the proposed development has been reviewed and has been found to be
in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is categorically exempt
from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities).
SECTION 3. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at said
public hearings regarding the Planned Sign Program, the Planning Commission further finds,
determines and declares that:
1. The proposed sign is permitted within the zone and complies with all applicable provisions
of the Zoning Code, the General Plan, and any other applicable standards. The subject
site is located in the Lakewood/Firestone Specific Plan, which in addition to the Municipal
Code regulations encourages the use of reverse channel letters and discourages the use
of raceways. The proposed Planned Sign Program implements both of these visions.
Notwithstanding this, General Plan Program 8.1.1.8 states, "Promote good quality sign
design." The proposed revisions to the sign program will create signs that are
architecturally compatible with the building and will remain in proper proportion to the
scale of the building. As such, this approval is consistent with the aforementioned
General Plan program.
Resolution No. 13-2855
Downey Planning Commission
2. The sign is in proper proportion to the structure or site on which it is located. The subject
site is improved with a two story building with the larger of the proposed wall signs to be
located on the architrave (near the top of the building) and the small walls signs being
permitted lower on the walls. By placing the larger signs higher on the building and
allowing smaller signs lower, the wall signs maintain a proper proportion to the building.
Furthermore, by limiting the monument signs to a maximum height of 6'-6", in conjunction
with the design of the monument signs, make them proportional to the building.
3. The sign materials, color, texture, size, shape, height, and placement are compatible with
the design of the structure(s), property, and neighborhood of which it is a part. The
subject site is improved with a two-story building; in which the proposed signs are in
proper proportion to the building. Furthermore, a condition of approval has been included
that requires the final design of the sign shall be approved by the City Planner. This is
necessary to ensure that the sign design will be consistent with the building's architecture,
while giving the applicant maximum flexibility on creativity of signs. With this condition of
approval, the sign materials, color, texture, size, shape, height, and placement are
compatible with the design of the building.
4. The sign's illumination is at the lowest reasonable level as determined by the City Planner,
which ensures adequate identification and readability, and is directed solely at the sign or
is internal to it. All signs that are proposed will be internally illuminated either through the
use of LED lights or a neon tube. This type of lighting allows the sign to be visible at night
with the lowest possible level of lighting. Furthermore, the new signs will not result in
additional light or glare being projected onto the right-of-way and/or adjoining properties.
5. The sign is not detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, or welfare. The proposed
signs are tastefully designed and will not create a negative aesthetic impact to the area.
The locations of the wall sign will prevent them from blocking access to the site or visibility
on or off the property. Furthermore, the revisions to the monument signs will not alter
their location or size. Accordingly, the proposed signs will not create a detrimental impact
to the public interest, health, safety, and/or welfare.
6. The sign is in compliance with Section 9624, Lighting and Design Standards. The signs
are architecturally compatible with the building, will not cause light or glare on the
surrounding properties (including the right-of-way), and are internally illuminated, they are
in full compliance with Municipal Code Section 9624.
SECTION 4. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at said
public hearings regarding the revoking Variance No. 00-49, the Planning Commission further
finds, determines and declares that:
1. The use for which the Variance was granted is not being exercised. In 2008 the City
Council approved a comprehensive update to the City's Zoning Ordinance. Among the
plethora of changes to regulations that were included in the update were various revisions
to the sign code, which included increased signage for businesses. Due to these
changes, the additional signage that required approval of the deviation now complies with
the sign code. As such, the Variance is no longer being exercised.
SECTION 5. Based upon the findings set forth in Sections 1 through 4 of this Resolution,
the Planning Commission of the City of Downey hereby approves Revision 'A' to the Planned
Sign Program (PLN-13-00209), subject to conditions of approval attached hereto as Exhibit A,
Planned Sign Program(PLN-13-000209)—9001 Firestone Blvd
October 16,2013-Page 2
Resolution No. 13-2855
Downey Planning Commission
L which are necessary to preserve the health, safety and general welfare of the community and
enable the Planning Commission to make the findings set forth in the previous sections. The
conditions are fair and reasonable for the accomplishment of these purposes. Furthermore, the
Planning Commission hereby revokes Variance No. 00-49, thereby deeming it null and void.
SECTION 6. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th ay of October, 2013.
41
•'L-' is Morale-, Chairman
' ity Plannin% Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day of October,
2013, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lujan, Flores, Rodriguez, Kiefer and Morales
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
I
C4(f &—
Mary Ca anagh, Secreta
City Planning Commission
I
Planned Sign Program(PLN-13-000209)—9001 Firestone Blvd
October 16,2013-Page 3
Resolution No. 13-2855
Downey Planning Commission
PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM (PLN-13-00209)
EXHIBIT A - CONDITIONS
PLANNING
1) The approval of the Planned Sign Program (PLN-13-00209) hereby approves all the
allowable signs, including color, size, and location for the property located at 9001
Firestone Blvd.
2) Approval of this Planned Sign Program shall not be construed to mean any waiver of
applicable and appropriate zoning regulations, or any Federal, State, County, and City
laws and regulations. Unless otherwise expressly specified, all other requirements of the
City of Downey Municipal Code shall apply.
3) The City Planner is authorized to make minor modifications to the approved preliminary
plans or any of the conditions if such modifications shall achieve substantially the same
results as would strict compliance with said plans and conditions.
4) The Owner/Applicant agrees, as a condition of approval of this resolution, to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless, at Applicant's expense, City and City's agents, officers and
employees from and against any claim, action or proceeding commenced within the time
period provided in Government Code Section 66499.37 to attack, review, set aside, void
or annul the approval of this resolution, to challenge the determination made by City under
the California Environmental Quality Act or to challenge the reasonableness, legality or
validity of any condition attached hereto. City shall promptly notify Applicant of any such
claim, action or proceeding to which City receives notice, and City will cooperate fully with
Applicant in the defense thereof. Applicant shall reimburse the City for any court costs and
attorney's fees that the City may be required to pay as a result of any such claim, action or
proceeding. City may, in its sole discretion, participate in the defense of any such claim,
action or proceeding, but such participation shall not relieve Applicant of the obligations of
this condition.
5) All conditions of approval set forth in this resolution shall be complied with before the
Planned Sign Program becomes valid.
6) Approval of this Planned Sign Program shall not be meant to prohibit signs that do not
require permits (as allowed in the Municipal Code) or temporary signs (as permitted by the
Municipal Code).
7) Prior to the installation or change out of any sign on the property, the applicant shall
obtain a Sign Permit from the City Planner and shall obtain all required building permits
and inspections.
8) The City Planner shall have final approval authority regarding the color of the signs.
9) Monument signs shall have aluminum faces painted to match the building. Text and logos
shall be routed out with a vinyl backing.
10) There shall be no wall signs permitted for second floor tenants of the buildings.
Planned Sign Program(PLN-13-000209)—9001 Firestone Blvd
October 16,2013-Page 4
Resolution No. 13-2855
Downey Planning Commission
11) The location of the wall signs for the first floor tenants shall be as depicted in the approved
Planned Sign Program. The size of wall signs shall not exceed the following:
Tenant'A' (Farmers& Merchants)
East Elevation 89 s.f.
South Elevation 41.4 s.f.
West Elevation 89 s.f.
North Elevation 86.5 s.f.
Tenant'B' (Starbucks)
East Elevation 36.5 s.f.
South Elevation 60.5 s.f.
West Elevation 81 s.f.
North Elevation Not Allowed
Planned Sign Program(PLN-13-000209)—9001 Firestone Blvd
October 16,2013-Page 5