HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution 14-2893RESOLUTION NO. 14 -2893
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING PLN -14 -00020 (SIGN) — A REQUEST FOR A PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM
AT AN EXISTING MULTI - TENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 11400-
11438 OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD, ZONED C -2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL)
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 January 28, 2014, Alberto Alonso, New Signs and Printing (authorized agent
for the property owner Janet Alstrom, Robert M. TRB Livingston Decd. Trust and
Marshall) and hereinafter referred to as "Applicant "), filed a Land Use Permit
Application requesting approval of PLN -14 -00020 regarding a planned sign
program for the Old River Plaza located at 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd.
B. Notice of the pending public hearing was mailed to all property owners within
500' of the subject site and a public notice was published in the Downey Patriot
on April 24, 2014.
C. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on May 7, May 21,
and June 8, 2014 and continued the item at the request of Staff and the
Applicant.
D. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on June 18 and
September 3, 2014 and continued the item to allow additional time for redesign of
the sign program.
E. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on September 17,
2014, and after fully considering all oral and written testimony, facts, and
opinions offered at the aforesaid public hearing, adopted Resolution No._,
approving PLN -14- 00020, subject to conditions of approval (Exhibit A).
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
comply 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, the Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares that:
The proposed sign is permitted within the zone and it complies with all
applicable provisions of this chapter, the General Plan, and any other
applicable standards.
The subject property is zoned C -2 (General Commercial) and was developed as
a shopping center in 1968. The C -2 Zone permits the use of wall, freestanding,
and a monument signs. Code Section 9610.04 states requires a Planned Sign
Program for any site having three (3) or more nonresidential tenants. The
Planning Commission shall approve the planned sign program before any sign
Resolution No. 14 -2893
Downey Planning Commission
permit is issued. The owner /applicant of the Old River Plaza is attempting to
comply with this requirement by obtaining the City's approval of the sign program
PLN -14 -00020 proposes. Generally, the proposed signs are permitted within the
zone and comply with applicable provisions of Article IX of the Downey Municipal
Code, with the exception of the proposed freestanding sign. Said sign has 96 sq.
ft. of sign copy area, which exceeds the maximum 80 sq. ft of allowable sign
copy area for freestanding signs at a street intersection. As such, Downey
Municipal Code Section 9610.04 (b) states that a Planned Sign Program may
include deviations from the standards of the Sign Code, but the total sign area
shall not exceed the area otherwise permitted, which applies to this case. As
such, the Applicant proposes a total of 980.25 sq. ft. of sign area and the
maximum allowed is 1,084.5 sq. ft. These provisions provide flexibility to the
Commission to approve the 96 sq. ft. copy area freestanding sign. All other signs
of the proposed sign program, comply with applicable provisions of Article IX of
the Downey, General Plan and other applicable standards.
2. The sign is in proper proportion to the structure or site on which it is
located.
The proposed freestanding sign cabinet will contain approximately 96 sq. ft. of
sign area, which is 16 sq. ft. greater than the maximum sign area allowed for
freestanding signs at this location. With the recommended condition of approval
limiting the freestanding sign copy area to 96 sq. ft., as per the Planning
Commission's approval, the proposed sign will be in proper proportion to the
buildings that comprise the shopping center. All other signs are in proportion to
the existing structures and site.
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 applicant proposes that all wall signs shall be internally illuminated cabinet
signs, with black cabinets. Tenants shall use "Helvetica ", "Book Antiqua" or
"Cooper Black" fonts in Oracal Red, Oracal Brill Blue, or Oracal Black. Maximum
height is 30 inches tall for the cabinet, with the length of the cabinet depending
on the maximum allowable sq. ft. of the wall sign and desired height. Copy shall
not exceed 75% of the sign area and supplemental copy and /or logos on the
same size shall not constitute more than 25% of the copy area. As such, it is
staff's opinion that the proposed wall signs will be compatible with the design of
the structures, property and neighborhood of which they are a part of.
The proposed freestanding sign will consist of an aluminum cabinet that is to
have a stucco -like finish and painted Dunn Edwards Burnt Almond, on a base
that is to have a stucco -like finish and painted Burnt Almond to match the existing
buildings accent color; sign retainers will also be painted Burnt Almond. The
freestanding sign shall display eight (8) tenant panels within a square cabinet box
that measures 10' -3" x 8' (82 sq. ft.). Each panel will measure 14 inches high by
eight ft. in length with white acrylic faces and vinyl lettering in Oracal Red, Brill
Blue or Black. The sign is proposed to have an aluminum cap that is to be stucco
and painted Dunn Edwards Burnt Almond, over a push through can sign that
PLN -14 -00020 — 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd.
September 17, 2014 -- Page 2
Resolution No. 14 -2893
Downey Planning Commission
identifies the site at "Old River Plaza ", in Oracal Brill Blue letters. Conditions of
approval that limit the size of the freestanding sign to 96 sq. ft. and limit the
number of tenant panels to eight (8) tenants have been included to assist in the
compatibility of this sign with its surrounding vicinity. As such, with the
recommended conditions of approval, it is staff's opinion that the proposed
freestanding sign will be compatible with the design of the structures, property
and neighborhood of which it is a part of.
The proposed monument sign will consist of an aluminum cabinet stuccoed and
painted Dunn Edwards Burnt Almond, on a base that is to be stuccoed and
painted Burnt Almond to match the existing buildings accent color; sign retainers
will also be painted Burnt Almond. The monument sign shall display eight (8)
tenant panels within a square cabinet box that measures 6'x 5' (30 sq. ft.). Each
panel will measure one foot high by 2 feet in length with white acrylic faces and
vinyl lettering in Oracal Red, Brill Blue or Black. The sign is proposed to have an
aluminum cap that is to be stucco and painted Dunn Edwards Burnt Almond,
over a push through sign that identifies the site at "Old River Plaza" in Oracal Brill
Blue letters. Additionally, the sign includes a brick veneer component, that is to
be painted Burnt Almond to match the existing structures on the site. As
proposed, the monument sign will be compatible with the design of the
structures, property and neighborhood of which it is a part of.
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.
The sign program includes construction details for illumination of all proposed
signs. However, Staff recommends a standard condition of approval to include
provisions for the use of internal LED strands to illuminate the signs. These
lighting sources are set at the minimum standards needed to ensure that there is
adequate readability of the signs.
5. The sign is not detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, or welfare.
With the recommended conditions of approval, the height and placement of the
wall, freestanding, and monument signs will not create a detrimental impact to
the public interest, health, safety, and /or welfare.
6. The sign complies with Section 9624, Lighting and Design Standards.
All proposed on -site signs will comply with Downey Municipal Code Section
9624,
SECTION 4. Based upon the findings set forth in Sections 1 through 3 of this
Resolution, the Planning Commission of the City of Downey hereby approves PLN -14 -00020
subject to conditions of approval attached hereto as Exhibit A, 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
PLN -14 -00020 — 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd
September 17, 2014 -- Page 3
Resolution No. 14 -2893
Downey Planning Commission
SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
Robert Kiefer, Chairman
City Planning 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 17`h day of
September, 2014, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Kiefer, Lujan, Morales, Flores and Rodriguez
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission
PLN -14 -00020 — 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd.
September 17, 2014 -- Page 4
Resolution No. 14 -2893
Downey Planning Commission
EXHIBIT A
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
PLN -14 -00020 (Planned Sign Program)
1) The approval of PLN -14 -00020 (Planned Sign Program) approves the location, color,
and size of all signs at the Old River Plaza, as provided in the Sign Criteria attached as
Exhibit "B" on the property located at 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd., Downey.
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) All conditions of approval PLN -14 -00020 shall be complied with before the Planned Sign
Program becomes valid.
5) 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.
6) Prior to the issuance of any building permit for a sign, said sign shall comply with this
Planned Sign Program, with exception of window signs and non - permit signs, which
shall comply with the requirements of the Downey Municipal Code.
8. The sign area of the freestanding sign shall not be greater than ninety -six (96) square
feet.
9. The freestanding sign shall provide not more than eight (8) tenant panels to identify not
more than eight (8) tenants. Additionally, it may identify "Old River Plaza" as per the
approved planned sign program.
10. No portion of the freestanding sign shall encroach into public- right -of -way.
11. The monument sign shall provide not more than eight (8) tenant panels to identify not
more than eight (8) tenants. Additionally, it may identify "Old River Plaza" as per the
approved planned sign program.
PLN -14 -00020 — 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd.
September 17, 2014 -- Page 5
Resolution No. 14 -2893
Downey Planning Commission
12. The Applicant shall provide five (5) copleS, of ire Sign Criteria for the Old River Plaza to
the City Planner, which cor„o;,.s all of the revisions required by these conditions of
approval, before the Planned Sign Program PLN -14 -00020 becomes valid.
13. The Applicant has the option of choosing between Dunn Edwards "Burnt Almond" and /or
Dunn Edwards "Almond" for the paint and stucco colors that are to be used on the
freestanding sign.
PLN -14 -00020 — 11400 -11438 Old River School Rd.
September 17, 2014 -- Page 6