HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso 21-3141RESOLUTION NO. 21-3141
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A SPECIFIC PLAN
AMENDMENT PLN -21-00032 (SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT), THEREBY,
REVISING SECTION III -A (G) (DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS- SIGNS) RELATED TO
FREESTANDING SIGNS AND INCORPORATING NEW SIGN STANDARDS FOR
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGNS IN THE SPECIFIC PLAN 90-1 AREA.
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 June 25, 1991, the City Council adopted Specific Plan 90-1 (SP 90-1) to guide
high-intensity commercial development of approximately 39 acres at the interchange
of the 1-5 and 1-605 freeways; and,
B. On March 16, 2021, an application was filed by Bob Barouti (hereinafter referred to
as the "the applicant") requesting a Specific Plan Amendment to revise sign
standards, specifically related to freestanding signs and to incorporate new sign
standards for electronic message signs; and,
C. Staff deemed the application incomplete due to missing information on April 14,
2021. The applicant resubmitted additional information and staff deemed the
application complete for further processing on May 18, 2021; and
D. On June 3, 2021, notice of the pending public hearing was sent to all property
owners within 500 feet of the subject area and the notice was published in the
Downey Patriot; and,
E. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on June 16, 2021, 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 Specific Plan Amendment is exempt from review under the California Environmental
Quality Act, Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq. ("CEQA") and the State CEQA Guidelines,
14 C.C.R. § 15000 et seq. The amendment would not have the potential to cause significant
effects on the environment. It is therefore categorically exempt from further CEQA review under
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15311 (Class 11, Accessory Structures).
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 proposed location of the development and proposed conditions under which it
will be operated or maintained is consistent with the goals and polices embodied in
the General Plan and other applicable plans and policies adopted by the Council.
The subject area is bounded by two freeways along the east and west, with over 650
feet of frontage along the Santa Ana 1-5 freeway at grade. The wide frontage opens
up opportunities for visibility to advertise existing commercial uses within the subject
Resolution No. 21-3141
Downey Planning Commission
area. The proposed text amendment will include new standards to allow additional
freestanding signs with the addition of bringing existing legal nonconforming signage
into compliance once the amendment is adopted. Additionally, the proposed sign
standards for electronic message signs will provide new standards for newer sign
technology similar to those found in other cities in the region. Approval and adoption
of this specific plan amendment will comply with goals found in Chapter 8 of the city's
General Plan particularly Goal 8.1 which calls to promote quality design for new,
expanded, and remodeled construction. Policy 8. 1.1 also calls for architectural
design of the highest quality and promote good quality sign design (Program
8.1.1.8). The new sign standards will enhance and promote better sign quality by
introducing new sign technology while also requiring that all new freestanding signs
be compatible with existing and/or future development located on their subject site.
B. The proposed development is in accordance with the purposes and objectives of this
article and the zone in which the site is located. The proposed sign standard
amendments will update the plan to reflect newer technology and industry standards
but, will continue to be in accordance with the purposes and objectives of the DMC
and zone in which the site is located in known as Specific Plan 90-1. More
specifically, maintaining a specific number of allowable freestanding signs and
requiring appropriate buffers from each sign will help ensure conformance and
prevent visual "pollution". The new sign standards will continue to provide regulations
that unify and coordinate future development through compatible development and
complementary site planning and building as expressed in the specific plan. In
addition, language in the specific plan on page II -7 states that due to minimal
visibility of the specific plan area from the freeways, it was anticipated that a large
sign on Site 1 (11111 Florence Avenue — Giant RV) is needed in order to attract
customers to the area. Staff believes that the new sign standards will achieve the
abovementioned.
C. The development will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of
persons residing or working in or adjacent to such a development, nor detrimental to
properties or improvements in the vicinity or the general welfare of the City. The
proposed revisions include regulations that will help protect the public and
surrounding environment. The new standards will include common sign regulations
such as maximum height, size, setbacks, spacing, and design standards.
Additionally, the introduction of electronic message signs after adoption of the
Specific Plan left a void in regulation of signage within this area; the specific
standards proposed are required in order to prevent potential impacts caused by the
lighting from the display monitor on drivers and surrounding properties. As such,
standards have been included to address brightness, light and glare, and to regulate
display messages. All standards can be found as an attachment to the resolution.
The revised text and new standards provide will sufficient regulations for all existing
and future sign installations.
D. The Specific Plan and resulting development will be consistent with the provisions of
Article 8 of Chapter 3 of the California Government Code, commencing with Section
65450 as may be subsequently amended by the State. Based on the requested sign
standards amendment, the specific plan continues to be consistent with the
provisions of Article 8 of Chapter 3 of the California Government Code. More
specifically, as stated in Finding No. 1, the sign standards will continue to comply
with the goals and policies of the city's General Plan by promoting quality design for
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 2
Resolution No. 21-3141
Downey Planning Commission
new, expanded, and remodeled construction, calling for architectural design of the
highest quality and promoting good quality sign design. The remaining text within
Specific Plan 90-1 will remain as is, which has complied with the city's General Plan
since its adoption in 1991.
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 revise the regulations in section III -A (G) of Specific Plan 90-1 as presented in the
attachment to the Resolution. New text is identified with an underline and red font color and
deleted text is shown with a st*ethrough•
SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of June 2021.
AA. I Zj
Migueluarte, Chairman
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 161h day of June,
2021, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz, Montoya, Owens and Duarte
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
Mary Cavanagh, Sec tary
Planning Commission
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 3
Resolution No. 21-3141
Downey Planning Commission
Attachment A
3. Freestanding Signs
One Two (2) freeway, oriented freestanding signs will identify t"he-6 esif" the
primary vehicle dealerships within it the specific plan area. T#is These signs shall maximize
visibility from the freeways, but shall in no case be higher than - i-1 '80) fee+ 105 feet or as
noted in Table A under Section 9 Electronic Message Signs. A-pasr4bk-- Ga };^^ 1.11; ;gR
t""'�Y-the-existing freest ng --sign erg Sa#eFna#ve--&4e-hewever, may b
,PieterrniRed h #heCity P!
9. Electronic Message Signs
A. Electronic message signs (abbreviated EMS) are permitted subject to the following
standards. Any exception to these standards shall require application for a Variance
under the provisions of Section 9826 (Variance) of the Downey Municipal Code.
Same Site as 'Principal Use. An electronic message sign shall be located on the same
parcel as the principal land use of the business for which the signis established. The
sign shall not be located on a site containing only a land use or uses secondary to the
primary operation of the business. For example, an electronic message sign shall not be
located on a lot or parcel used for automobile storage by an automobile dealership
whose primary sales operations are on a different site; nor shall an electronic message
center sign be located on a lot or parcel used for parking for an institution if said
institution is on_a_clifferent parcel.
C. Sites Permitted. EMS shall oniv be allowed on Sites 1 and 12.
D. Street types permitted. CMS shall be allowed only on a street or highway classified as
a Malor Arterial, Regional Corridor, or Freeway.
E. dumber. One (1) freestanding EMS shall be allowed on Sites 1 and 12 along the
frontage closest to the freeway.
F. Location.
Upon subject site. Lots adjoining freeway right-of-way may locate an EMS on
the property line adjoining such right-of-way.
Distance from residential. All EMS shall have a minimum separation of one
hundred feet (100') from a residential district.
G. Spacing.
Between_ EMS and freestanding monument signs. The minimum distance
required between a freestanding/monument sign and an electronic message sign
shall be one hundred feet (1001
Between EMS on different properties_. No EMS shall be located less than three
hundred feet (300') from another FMCS on a different property or site.
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 4
Resolution No. 21-3141
Downey Planning Commission
iii. Freeway -oriented EMS. A radius of six hundred sixty feet (OFO') shall be
required_ between all freeway—oriented electronic message signs. For freeway -
oriented EMS, and EMS located adjacent to other State highways, if the
requirements of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are more
restrictive, those requirements shall control.
H. Sign form. An EMS may only take the form or style of a two-faced freestanding sign.
Other forms are prohibited.
Design Standards. The following design standards shall apply to all electronic message
signs:
i. Bare metal structural supports are prohibited, and shall have an architectural
covering instead.
ii. A freestanding EMCS shall have an architectural base and sufaport(s) totaling at
least half the width of the sign face.
iii. Use of flat, translucent plastic or acrylic sign faces for the fixed/permanent copy
shall be prohibited. Channel letters are preferred, and push -through -type faces
may be used on cabinets.
iv. Hi_qh-quality materials shall be used in the sign overall. Use of metal
backgrounds and cabinets is strongly encouraged.
V. The overall design, form, and structure of the EMS shall be architecturally
interesting and creative, and shall be harmonious with itself and the surrounding
land uses. The design should cam lenient the building(s) of the site for which it is
emplaced, and, where appropriate, bear a strong architectural relationship to
these buildings.
J. Height, area, projection, and clearance requirements.
Height and area. The height of a freestanding EMS shall not exceed the limits
set forth in Table A in this section.
iii. Projection and clearance, No portion of an electronic message center sign shall
project into any right-of-way and the vertical clearance from grade to the lowest
point of the siqn shall be a minimum of eight feet (8') for pedestrian use and
twenty feet 20' for vehicular use.
Table A
Sites
Standards
Maximum Siert Area
Maximum Sign Area
Dimensions ft.
Maximum Height
s. ft.
Site 1
Total EMS and
18 height 134 width
40
channel letters:
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 5
Resolution No. 21-3141
Downey Planning Commission
K. Briahtness, display, copy, and message requirements. The following reguirements
establish the standards for the display face and copy and messages to be displayed on
an electronic message center sign:
Brightness. The following brightness standards and limitations shall apply:
a) Dawn to dusk: unlimited;
b) Dusk to dawn: the display surface shall not produce luminance in excess
of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light conditions, or the level
recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
IESNA for the specific size and location of the sin whichever is less
C) The display brightness shall be controlled by a photocell or light sensor
that ad'usts the brightness to the required dusk -to -dawn level based on
ambient light conditions without the need for human input. Use of other
brightness adjustment methods, such as timer- or calendar -based
systems, shall only be used as a backup system;
d) The display shall be factory -certified as capable of complying with the
above brightness standards. Such certification shall be provided to the
satisfaction of the Director of Development Services; and
e) The sign owner shall provide to the City, upon request, certification by an
independent contractor that the brightness levels of the sign are in
compliance with the requirements of this section.
Display message. The following standards and limitations shall apply to the
message shown on the display surface:
a) The message shown on the EMS display shall not flash shimmer, glitter
or give the appearance of flashing, shimmering, orglittering.
b) The EMS display shall have no message or illumination which moves, or
is in continuous motion, or which appears to be in continuous motion.
DispIM of full -motion video and video -like sequences is prohibited.
C) The display message shall not change at a rate faster than one (1)
message every eight (8) seconds.
d) There shall be a direct change from each message to the next with no
transition effect, and no blank or dark interval in between, to avoid a
flashing or blinking effect.
e) The intensity of illumination shall not change, except as required to
comply with the dusk -to -dawn brightness standards.
f) All messages shall be limited to on-site advertising of goods or services,
or noncommercial messages (i.e., time, temperature, or public service
announcements). All off-site advertising messages are prohibited this
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 6
560 each face
Site 12
Total EMS and
22.6 height / 34.4 width
104
channel letters:
778 each face
K. Briahtness, display, copy, and message requirements. The following reguirements
establish the standards for the display face and copy and messages to be displayed on
an electronic message center sign:
Brightness. The following brightness standards and limitations shall apply:
a) Dawn to dusk: unlimited;
b) Dusk to dawn: the display surface shall not produce luminance in excess
of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light conditions, or the level
recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
IESNA for the specific size and location of the sin whichever is less
C) The display brightness shall be controlled by a photocell or light sensor
that ad'usts the brightness to the required dusk -to -dawn level based on
ambient light conditions without the need for human input. Use of other
brightness adjustment methods, such as timer- or calendar -based
systems, shall only be used as a backup system;
d) The display shall be factory -certified as capable of complying with the
above brightness standards. Such certification shall be provided to the
satisfaction of the Director of Development Services; and
e) The sign owner shall provide to the City, upon request, certification by an
independent contractor that the brightness levels of the sign are in
compliance with the requirements of this section.
Display message. The following standards and limitations shall apply to the
message shown on the display surface:
a) The message shown on the EMS display shall not flash shimmer, glitter
or give the appearance of flashing, shimmering, orglittering.
b) The EMS display shall have no message or illumination which moves, or
is in continuous motion, or which appears to be in continuous motion.
DispIM of full -motion video and video -like sequences is prohibited.
C) The display message shall not change at a rate faster than one (1)
message every eight (8) seconds.
d) There shall be a direct change from each message to the next with no
transition effect, and no blank or dark interval in between, to avoid a
flashing or blinking effect.
e) The intensity of illumination shall not change, except as required to
comply with the dusk -to -dawn brightness standards.
f) All messages shall be limited to on-site advertising of goods or services,
or noncommercial messages (i.e., time, temperature, or public service
announcements). All off-site advertising messages are prohibited this
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 6
Resolution No. 21-3141
Downey Planning Commission
includes messages by or for sponsors, patrons, brands, and other similar
off-site parties or entities.
L. Fixed Copy, Fixed/permanent sign copy on each face of an electronic message sign
shall be limited to the identification of the business and City of Downey name and logo.
The fixed/permanent sign copy shall not flash, shimmer, glitter, or give the appearance
of flashing,shimmering,or glittering,and shall be included in the overall sign area as
indicated on Table A.
M. Light and glare intrusion prevention. All electronic message signs shall be adequately
shielded and properly oriented and aimed so as to prevent the intrusion of light and glare
upon residential land uses including those in mixed-use zones.
Specific Plan Amendment (SP 90-1) - PLN -21-00032
June 16, 2021 - Page 7