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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso 21-3139RESOLUTION NO. 21-3139 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN -20-00124 (PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM), THEREBY REGULATING THE SIZE, LOCATION, AND APPEARANCE OF SIGNS FOR A MULTI -TENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING, LOCATED AT 8017 FLORENCE AVENUE, 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. An application was filed by Harry Daglas (hereinafter referred to as the "the applicant") on December 8, 2020 requesting approval of a Planned Sign Program (PLN -20-00124) to establish standards for a multi -tenant commercial building for the size, location, and appearance of new wall signs; and, B. On January 7, 2021, staff deemed the application incomplete due to missing information. Upon multiple revisions to the plans, staff deemed the application complete on April 27, 2021; and C. On May 6, 2021, notice of the pending public hearing was sent to all Downey property owners within 500 feet of the subject site and the notice was published in the Downey Patriot; and, D. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on May 19, 2021 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 be in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15311 (Class 11), Accessory Structures because the project consists of on -premise signs. SECTION 3. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at said public hearing regarding the Planned Sign Program, the Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares that: A. The proposed wall signs are permitted within the zone and it complies with all applicable provisions of Chapter 6, the General Plan, and any other applicable standards. The subject commercial site is located within the C-2 (General Commercial) zone, which permits a variety of signage, specifically, awning signs, exempt signs, freestanding signs, hanging signs, marquee signs, monuments 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 tenant space. The total allowable wall sign area for each tenant space will be 1.5 square feet of sign area per lineal foot of tenant space frontage, with a maximum sign copy area of 75 percent of sign area. The width of each sign shall not exceed 75 percent of the tenant leasehold frontage. Logos shall not exceed 25 percent of sign copy area. All proposed wall sign square footage will comply with the maximum allowable sign area permitted by the Downey Municipal Code. Approval of the Resolution No. 21-3139 Downey Planning Commission Planned Sign Program will comply with Policy 8.3.1. of the City's General Plan, which calls for the enhancement of the views of property from public streets to exhibit a positive image, in this case, enhanced signage. The proposed Planned Sign Program will also comply with all other applicable provisions included in Chapter 6 (Signs) of the Downey Municipal Code. B. The sign is in proper proportion to the structure or site on which it is located. The Planned Sign Program ensures that all proposed illuminated, channel letter wall signs will be properly spaced and be in proportion with the building's fagade, specifically the tenant space frontage. The sizes of the wall signs will vary based on the lineal foot frontage for each tenant space as mentioned above. The tenant space located at the west corner of the commercial building will have the option of installing a secondary wall sign not exceeding half the allowable area of the primary wall sign fronting Florence Avenue. In order to prevent signage from exceeding these wall areas, the maximum letter height of all wall signs and logos shall be a 20 inches. In addition, all proposed wall signs shall be positioned between an existing three foot tall wall area located immediately below the existing 6 inch fascia at the top of the building but above the existing roof awning. Based on these sign standards, the new wall signs will complement the commercial building with consistency in size and relatively with the nature of business and/or service. C. The sign materials, color, texture, shape, height, and placement are compatible with the design of the structure(s), property, and neighborhood of which is a part. The Planned Sign Program includes proposed illuminated channel letter wall signs that will be mounted onto the building's fagade. The illuminated channel letter wall signs will be more compatible with the building's current architectural style. The existing signage consists of dated box signs whereas the Planned Sign Program will require channel letters with font styles Oranda Bold or Futura Heavy Bold and a choice of two color options, red and/or green for the sign face. This will create a more uniform appearance to the building and site. The Planned Sign Program will allow flexibility for logo signs by allowing their nationally recognized trademark image and colors. The neighborhood is commercially developed, and both the height and placement of the proposed wall signs will not negatively impact 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. All new wall signs shall include LED internal illumination in order to reduce the brightness of the signs. The Planned Sign Program has been conditioned to ensure that the LEDs and power supplies will be enclosed behind the channel letters attached to the wall and the lighting shall be 100 feet from any residentially zoned property. E. The sign is 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 be affix safely to the existing stucco fagade. All new wall signs will be subject to review and approval by city departments ensuring conformance with the Building Code and local and state electrical standards. Staff believes that the new signs will not create a detrimental impact to the public interest, health, safety, and or welfare. 8017 Florence Avenue - PLN -20-00124 May 19, 2021 - Page 2 Resolution No. 21-3139 Downey Planning Commission F. The sign complies with Section 9624, Lighting and Design Standards. All proposed signs on the building will be internally illuminated using LED light units. In addition, the proposed project has been conditioned to ensure that all lighting will be LED and distanced from residential properties. The signs are not expected to conflict with the Downey Municipal Code because it is subject to conditions that will require this compliance. 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 this Planned Sign Program (PLN -20-00124) subject to the 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. SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of May 2021. MigUel Quay rte, Chairrnan 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 19th day of May 2021, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz, Montoya, Owens and Duarte NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None �.�[,.' Mary Cav6nagh, Secreta Plannin?commission 8017 Florence Avenue - PLN -20-00124 May 19, 2021 - Page 3 Resolution No. 21-3139 Downey Planning Commission CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM (PLN -20-00124) PLANNING 1) The approval of this Planned Sign Program approves the size, location, appearance, and number of signs for a multi -tenant commercial building, located at 8017 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) The Planning Commission reserves the right to revoke or modify this approval if the proposed use becomes a public nuisance, finds the permit was obtained by fraud, the approved use is not being exercised, the approved use is operated in violation of the terms and conditions contained herein, or the approved use ceased or was suspended for one year or more. 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) 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. 7) Primary wall signs shall only be mounted on the store front fagades facing Florence Ave and one unit facing west. A secondary wall sign for the west corner tenant space facing the drive entrance/parking lot as indicated on the approved Planned Sign Program. 8) All wall signs shall be illuminated with LED light. Illuminated wall signs shall be a minimum of 100 feet from any adjacent residential zone. 8017 Florence Avenue - PLN -20-00124 May 19, 2021 - Page 4 Resolution No. 21-3139 Downey Planning Commission 9) Sign standards not listed in the approved Planned Sign Program shall comply with sign standards listed in the Downey Municipal Code. 10) Prior to the issuance of any building permit for a sign, said sign shall comply with the approved Planned Sign Program, with the exception of window signs and exempt signs, which shall comply with the requirements of the Downey Municipal Code. 11) Prior to the installation of new wall signs, the applicant shall obtain all required Building permits. The applicant shall also obtain required building inspections for all signs. 12) The property owner shall notify all tenants that 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 within one (1) year of this Planned Sign Program approval. END OF CONDITIONS 8017 Florence Avenue - PLN -20-00124 May 19, 2021 - Page 5