HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso 19-3107RESOLUTION NO. 19-3107
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY APPROVING A PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM (PLN -18-00047),
REGULATING THE SIZE, LOCATION, AND APPEARANCE OF SIGNS FOR A
MULTI -TENANT COMMERCIAL CENTER, LOCATED AT 10317-10411
LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD, AND ZONED C-1 (NEIGHBORHOOD
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 April 23, 2018, an application was filed by Mark Eiland as an authorized
applicant for the property owner, requesting approval of a modification to an
existing Planned Sign Program, for the size, location, and appearance of the
signs for the existing multi -tenant commercial buildings. Due to needed
corrections in the Sign Program, staff deemed the application incomplete; and,
B. On May 23, 2018, the application was deemed incomplete. The application was
re -submitted on January 1, 2019; however, due to needed corrections in the Sign
Program, staff deemed the application incomplete; and,
C. On August 8, 2019, the applicant submitted the corrected information needed to
complete the application. Accordingly, staff deemed the application complete on
August 27, 2019; and,
D. On September 19, 2019, 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,
E. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on October 2, 2019,
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, Accessory Structures).
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 signs are permitted within the zone and they comply with all
applicable provisions of this chapter, the General Plan, and any other applicable
standards. The subject commercial property is located within the C-1,
Neighborhood Commercial zone, which permits awning signs, exempt signs,
freestanding signs, hanging signs, marquee signs, monument signs, projecting
signs, temporary signs and wall signs. The proposed Planned Sign Program
regulates the appearance of signs and limits the number of wall signs for each
Resolution No. 19-3107
Downey Planning Commission
tenant space. The total allowable wall sign area for each tenant will not exceed
1.5 square feet for each lineal foot of the width of the tenant space and shall have a
maximum sign copy area of 75 percent of sign area. All proposed wall sign square
footage will comply with the maximum allowable sign area permitted by the
Municipal Code. Approval of this Planned Sign Program modification will comply
with policy 8.3.1 of the General Plan, which calls for the enhancement of the
views of property from public streets by exhibiting outstanding signage. The
Planned Sign Program will comply with all of the applicable provisions of Chapter
6 (signs) of the Zoning Code.
B. The signs are in proper proportion to the structure or site on which it is located.
The proposed illuminated, channel letter wall signs will be well spaced and in
proper proportion to the building fagades of the tenant space. The letter height of
all wall signs is limited to a height of 24-36 inches. The applicant is encouraging
the tenants of the center to use creative signage that represents each business
individually. It is staff's opinion that the design of the new wall signs will
complement the commercial center with consistency in size and relativity with the
nature of business or service, but also with creativeness within each sign. The
freestanding sign will also conform to height and sign area requirements as set
forth in section 9618.04 of the Downey zoning code.
C. The sign's material, 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 include 5" deep, acrylic, dual illuminated
channel letters that will be mounted onto building fabrication of stucco. Staff
believes that the size and height have been found to be compatible with the existing
building and architecturally enhance the property. The planned sign program will
allow flexibility in regards to the font, color, and logos of each channel letter sign.
The lettering and logo should be relative to the nature of the business or service.
The neighborhood is commercially developed, and both the height and location of
the wall, freestanding, monument, and hanging signs will not negatively impact the
surrounding businesses.
D. The sign's illumination are 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 new wall, freestanding, and
monument signs shall include LED illumination in order to reduce the brightness of
the signs. The illumination shall have flexibility of front lit, back lit, or both. The
project has been conditioned to ensure that the LEDs and power supplies will be
enclosed behind the channel letters attached to the wall. All signage is directed
away from the abutting residential properties, therefore reducing any negative
impact through the illumination.
E. The signs are not detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, or welfare.
The proposed illuminated wall signs will be mounted at a sufficient height and
location and will not affect pedestrian/vehicle access. The individual letters will affix
safely to the existing stucco and wood fagade. The handing signs will be placed at
a height that is not interfering with the path of travel or the entrances into the tenant
spaces. The freestanding sign will be located out of the drive aisle and will not
negatively impact the egress and ingress of traffic from Lakewood Boulevard. The
Resolution No. 19-3107
Downey Planning Commission
monument sign will be less than 7 -feet tall, which will not impact the point of sight
for traffic entering and exiting the site. Therefore, it will not create a detrimental
impact to the public interest, health, safety, and/or welfare. All signs installed shall
be in conformance to local and state electrical standards and be properly permitted.
F. The signs comply with Section 9624, Lighting and Design Standards. All
proposed signs on the building will be illuminated using LED light units. The signs
will not conflict with Downey Municipal Code Section 9624. Additionally, illuminated
signs will be at least 100 feet away from all residentially zoned properties.
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 the Planned Sign
Program (PLN -18-00047), 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.
Miguel arte, ice Chair
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 2nd day of October,
2019, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Frometa, Spathopoulos and Duarte
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
Owens and Dgminguez
MaryPvanagh, Sec
City Inning Comm
Resolution No. 19-3107
Downey Planning Commission
PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM MODIFICATION (PLN -18-00047)
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
1) The approval of this Planned Sign Program modification approves the size, location,
appearance, and number of the signs for a multi -tenant commercial center, located at
10317-10411 Lakewood Boulevard.
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) An affidavit of Acceptance of Conditions, as provided by the City of Downey, shall be
signed, notarized, and returned to the Planning Division within fifteen (15) days of
approval. This approval will be considered invalid until this condition has been fulfilled.
6) All signage shall be located as shown on the site plan within the Planned Sign Program.
7) Primary wall signs shall only be mounted on the store front facades facing, Lakewood
Boulevard, of the subject buildings. Only one (1) secondary wall sign is permitted with
this Planned Sign Program and shall only be located on the freestanding, vacant building
facing the parking lot as indicated in red on the site plan.
8) Secondary signage shall not exceed Y2 of the square footage of the primary sign of that
building.
9) During any removal of existing wall signs, the walls shall be repaired and painted to
match the existing wall.
10) All wall signs shall have dual illumination with LED light. Illuminated wall signs shall be a
minimum of 100 feet from any adjacent residential zone.
Resolution No. 19-3107
Downey Planning Commission
11) On the Freestanding sign and monument sign, no tenant logos shall be allowed within
the cabinet sign space for the tenant's name.
12) The monument sign shall be setback 7' from the property line.
13) 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 exempt signs, which shall
comply with the requirements of the Downey Municipal Code.
14) Prior to the installation of new wall signs, the applicant shall obtain all required Building
permits. The applicant shall also obtain all required building inspection for all signs.
15) 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. In any case, the property owner shall bring
all signage into compliance with this Planned Sign Program within two (2) years of this
approval.
END OF CONDITIONS