Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution 17-3024RESOLUTION NO. 17-3024 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN -16-00015 A REVISION TO PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM NO. DR -83-2), REGARDING THE LOCATION AND DESIGN OF SIGNS FOR THE SARATOGA PLAZA CENTER AT 7405-7435 FLORENCE AVENUE, AND ZONED GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-2) AND PARKING BUFFER (P -B) 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 August 23, 1995, the Design Review Board (DRB) approved Case No. DR - 83 -2, for a planned sign program for the commercial center; and, B. On January 26, 2016, a Land Use Application (PLN 16-00015) was filed by Mr. Robert May with PS Services (authorized agent for North Saratoga Investments), Inc.), requesting approval of PLN -16-00015 (Revision to Planned Sign Program No. DR -83-2) for the location and design of signs within the existing multi -tenant commercial center; and, C. On March 9, 2017, the applicant submitted a revised set of plans, and on March 23, 2017 the application was deemed complete. H. On May 4, 2017, notice of the pending public hearing was sent to all property owners within 500' of the subject site and the notice was published in the Downey Patriot; and, The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on May 17, 2017, and after fully considering all oral and written testimony, 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 comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15311 (Class 11, 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: A. 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 commercial property is located within the C-2 (General Commercial) and P -B (Parking Buffer) zones, which permits wall signs, freestanding signs, and monument signs. While the Sign Code requires a minimum 50 -foot separation between the interior property line and a freestanding sign, Section 9610.04 allows for deviations from the Sign Code standards, so long as the total Resolution No. Downey Planning Commission proposed sign area does not exceed the total sign area allowed. The total allowable signage for the site is 773 square feet. The total signage proposed does not exceed 610.25 square feet. The proposed modification to the Planned Sign Program will comply with all the applicable provisions of Chapter 6 (Signs) of the Zoning Code, including the allowance for the Planning Commission to allow deviations to the location of freestanding signs. B. The sign is in proper proportion to the structure or site on which it is located. The site measures 224.22 feet in width. The Sign Code allows properties with continuous street frontages of 150' or greater to have up to two freestanding signs. The proposed freestanding sign is to be located 37 -feet from the interior property line and will take advantage of existing landscape planter, which won't necessitate the need to remove additional parking from the site. Both the proposed internally illuminated, channel letter signs and freestanding signs will be in proper proportion to the building fagades of the subject tenant spaces. The proposed freestanding signs measure 20 -feet in height, proportional to the existing commercial buildings, which measure approximately 20 -feet to the top of the parapet walls. The design of the new signs will enhance the existing businesses and all existing cabinet signs will be removed within three years of the approval date of the planned sign program. C. 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 proposed wall signs will include LED, internally illuminated channel letters. Staff believes that the size and height have been found to be compatible with the existing commercial buildings and enhance the existing commercial buildings by replacing outdated cabinet signs. The planned sign program will allow flexibility in regards to the font and color or each channel letter sign; however, they will all include matching returns, trim caps, maximum projections, and the same internal illumination intensity. The 20 -foot freestanding signs will be located along Florence Avenue, and will include routed -out, push through lettering with opaque backgrounds, which will limit the glare typically associated with cabinet signs with non-opaque backgrounds. The neighborhood is commercially developed, and both the height and location of the freestanding signs or the sign illumination will not negatively impact the surrounding businesses. D. 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 proposed internally illuminated channel letter signs will be internally illuminated with LED illumination. The signage on the proposed freestanding signs will include individual, opaque cabinets, with routed out, push through lettering, with fluorescent illumination that will illuminate only the letters, and will thus reduce the amount of illumination and glare typically associated with cabinet signs. PLN -16-00015 (Planned Sign Program) May 17, 2017 - Page 2 Resolution No. Downey Planning Commission E. The sign is not detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, or welfare. All new signage are set at a sufficient height and/or location such that they will not create a detrimental impact to the public interest, health, safety, and/or welfare. F. The sign complies with Section 9624, Lighting and Design Standards. All signs on site are internally illuminated and are set a sufficient height and location to 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 -16-00015 (Revision to Planned Sign Program No. DR -83-2), subject to conditions of approval attached hereto, 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. SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of May 2017 r/ o 9imRodriguez, 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 17th day of May, 2017, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS NOES: COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS Rodriguez, Owens, None Flores Dominguez and Duarte None Mary Ca anagh, Secreta City Planning Commission PLN -16-00015 (Planned Sign Program) May 17, 2017 - Page 3 Resolution No. Downey Planning Commission PLN -16-00015 (REVISION TO PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM DR -83-02) CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL 1) The approval of PLN -16-00015 (Revision to Planned Sign Program No. DR -83-02) approving a planned sign program for property located at a multi -tenant shopping center at 7405-7435 Florence Avenue. 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) 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. 5) All individual tenant signs shall be brought into compliance with the Planned Sign Program at such time that the tenant's lease is renewed or when any changes are proposed to the sign, whichever occurs first. The property owner will bring all signage into compliance within three (3) years of approval of PLN -16-00015. 6) The applicant shall obtain all required building permits prior to installation of any new signs. The applicant shall obtain all necessary inspections and permit final for all new installed signage. All tenants shall provide proof of written landlord approval for any proposed signage prior to plan submittal to the City of Downey. 7) The applicant shall demolish the existing freestanding sign prior to the installation of the new freestanding signs. 8) 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. END OF CONDITIONS HACommunity Development\Arreola\Projects\PLN-16-00015 7405-7435 Florence\PLN-16-00015 Reso.doc PLN -16-00015 (Planned Sign Program) May 17, 2017 - Page 4