HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso 18-3047RESOLUTION NO. 18-3047
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A ZONE
TEXT AMENDMENT (PLN -17-00162), THEREBY ADDING SECTION 9620.05
TO CHAPTER 6 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
SIGNAGE FOR PRIVATE PRIMARY EDUCATION (K-12) SCHOOLS
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. City staff was approached by Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Pius X — Matthias
Academy, private, primary education schools located within residential zones, to
erect monument signs; and,
B. Article IX, Chapter 6 (Signs) does not permit monument signs within residential
zones, therefore, the schools were unable to build the signage commonly associated
with schools; and,
C. On October 18, 2017, the Planning Commission initiated a Zone Text Amendment to
amend Article IX, Chapter 6 (Signs) to adopt language addressing signage for
private, primary education schools; and,
D. On February 22, 2018, notice of the pending zone text amendment was published in
the Downey Patriot as a 1/o 1h page ad in accordance with the requirements of the
Downey Municipal Code; and,
E. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on March 7, 2018, 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
requested Zone Text Amendment is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) of
the State CEQA Guidelines, because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable
indirect physical change in the environment.
SECTION 3. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at
said public hearing, the Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares that:
A. The requested amendment is necessary and desirable for the development of the
community and is in the interests or furtherance of the public health, safety, and general
welfare. The requested amendment is necessary and desirable for the development of
the community because these private schools are attended by residents of Downey and
the surrounding communities. In order for these schools to provide signage for the
community to advertise school functions, standards need to be put in place to allow
private schools to do so. Private schools located in residential zones do not have the
same rights as those located within commercial zones, therefore, this is necessary to
establish consistency among private schools located within the city. Furthermore, the
amendments is in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare because the
Resolution No. 18-3047
Downey Planning Commission
proposed standards mitigate negative impacts to surrounding residential uses by
providing light sensors, hours indicating when the sign must be turned off, and specific
lighting and brightness standards.
B. The proposed amendment is in general conformance with the General Plan in that the
proposed amendment is in conformance with General Plan Goal 7.4, wherein it states
"combine efforts by the local school districts and the city towards enhancing the
community." The amendment was initiated by the inability to modify and add new
signage to two (2) private schools located within residential zones. Whereas these
schools serve the surrounding community, the City felt it was necessary to support these
schools' efforts to promote school -sponsored events. Additionally, this amendment also
promotes General Plan Program 8.1.1.8, wherein it states "promote good quality sign
design". The proposed language is designed to accommodate the schools' needs while
maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design.
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 recommends that the City
Council add the following section to Article IX, Chapter 6 of the Downey Municipal Code to read
as follows:
9620.05 — PRIVATE PRIMARY EDUCATION K-12 SCHOOLS
In addition to the signs permitted within the underlying residential zone, as outlined in
Table 9.6.2 of this Chapter, primary education schools, located within a residential zone,
are permitted the following signs:
a) One (1), non -illuminated wall sign per street frontage, not to exceed a maximum
sign area of 32 square feet per sign.
(1) Wall signage content shall be limited to the school name and address;
and
b) One (1) monument sign, located along the school's primary street frontage,
which shall not exceed a maximum sign area of seventy (70) square feet, and a
maximum height of eight (8) feet.
i.Changeable copy shall not change more than once every ten seconds during the
hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
ii.11luminated, changeable signage shall be turned off during the hours of 8:00 p.m.
to 6:30 a.m.;
iii.Changeable copy shall not rotate, move, or cause uncontrolled direction of lights,
flash, reflect, scroll, brighten, or include animated text or video;
iv.Signs must have a dim control to minimize light output and brightness;
v.No audio output allowed;
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Resolution No. 18-3047
Downey Planning Commission
vi.Lighting levels on the digital sign shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles above
ambient light from a distance of 250 feet, as measured according to
standards of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA);
vii. Illumination shall be directed such that minimal light spill will occur on either side
or the top or bottom of the sign face;
viii.A light sensor shall be installed with the sign to measure ambient light levels and
to adjust light intensity to respond to such conditions: the light sensor
adjusts the sign's brightness in order to compete with ambient light; the
darker the surrounding ambient light, the less bright the sign is;
ix.Content shall be limited to school events only and shall not be sold or leased for
commercial or off-site advertising;
x.Changeable copy shall be no more than 75% of the sign area; and
xi. Sign shall be 10 feet from the property line.
xii.Schools with an interior side property line abutting a residential lot shall not erect
a monument sign closer than 50 feet from said residential lot.
c) Freestanding signs are prohibited.
SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of March, 2018.
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 7th day of March,
2018, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Flores, Duarte and Dominguez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Rodriguez and Owens
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
r
Mary Cnagh, Secreta
City Plan ing Commission
Zone Text Amendment (School Signage) - PLN -17-00162
March 7, 2018 - Page 3