HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUP_2021-04-08_AgendaPacket
* COVID-19 NOTICE *
Consistent with Executive Orders N-25-20 and No. N-29-20 from the
Executive Department of the State of California and the San Luis Obispo
County Health Official’s March 18, 2020 Shelter at Home Order, the AUP
Meeting will not be physically open to the public and Planning Staff will be
teleconferencing into the meeting.
HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT:
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email comments must identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of the
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minutes per individual comment, subject to the Zoning Administrator’s discretion. All
comments should be a maximum of 500 words, which corresponds to approximately
3 minutes of speaking time. If a comment is received after the agenda item is heard
but before the close of the meeting, the comment will still be included as a part of the
record of the meeting but will not be read into the record.
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Administrative Use Permit agendas and staff reports may be viewed on the City's
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meeting, and upon request from the Community Development Department.
Copies of the staff reports or other documentation relating to each item of business referred to on
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C ITY OF A TASCADERO
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
6500 PALMA AVE ▪ ATASCADERO, CA 93422 ▪ (805) 461 -5035 ▪ FAX 461-7612
Administrative Use Permit Hearing
A G E N D A
The City of Atascadero’s Zoning Hearing Officer will hold a public hearing
at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at City Hall to consider the
following project.
1. 6090 EL CAMINO REAL, STE. C, USE21-0027; The project is an application
to allow for signage for Ancient Owl Beer Garden and Bottle Shop
(Zappas / Andruszkiewicz) (John Holder, Associate Planner)
PLEASE NOTE: Any court challenge to the actions taken at the public
hearing may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public
hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence to the City of
Atascadero at, or prior to, the public hearing.
Any decision of the Hearing Officer is final unless a ppealed to the Planning
Commission within 14 days of the action. Any person aggrieved by the
decision may file an appeal. Appeal forms are available in the Community
Development Department or on the City’s website (www.atascadero.org).
The fee for filing an appeal is $806 and must accompany the appeal
documentation.
C ITY OF A TASCADERO
COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT
Administrative Hearing Agenda Report ITEM # 1
FROM: John Holder MEETING DATE: 04/08/2021
FILE NUMBER: USE 21-0027
PROJECT ADDRESS: 6090 El Camino Real Suite C
SITUATION: In 2019, the Design Review Committee (DRC) approved the site design
and landscaping for the installation of modular cargo container buildings for commercial
use at 6090 El Camino Real. The DRC also recommended that future tenants obtain an
Administrative Use Permit for project signage that exceed Atascadero Municipal Code
(AMC) standards. Ancient Owl Brewing Company, the project applicant, is proposing to
construct a sign (sign #1) over the entrance gate to the Ancient Owl Beer Garden and
Bottle Shoppe and place a painted logo graphic (sign #2) on the frontage of one of the
site’s cargo container buildings. AMC 9-15.000 defines types of signs and standards.
However, the proposed entrance sign is not defined in the code and there are no specific
standards for entrance signage. As such, the applicant is requesting an Administrative
Use Permit to allow the entrance signage. Sign #2 (a painted wall sign) requires planning
review but not a building permit. The site location is on a high-visibility parcel in the
Downtown Commercial Zone along El Camino Real.
EVALUATION: Sign #1 is proposed at the entryway to the beer garden courtyards over
the entrance gate along El Camino Real. The entrance gate is part of a steel courtyard
fence approximately 117 ¾ inches (nearly 10 feet) above grade. The custom steel sign
will be approximately 14.6 feet wide (spanning the width of the entrance gate) and 4 feet
tall and shaped like the silhouette of an owl. The sign color will be antiquated raw steel
finish or patina with weatherproof sealer to prevent rust, and the sign body will be
perforated steel. The total square footage of the sign is estimated to be approximately
58 square feet measured from the highest point of the sign. Additionally, two LED lights
will be located towards the base of the sign and will be on a controlled light switch. Sign
#2 is proposed to be located on the face of the building (cargo container) in between the
roll-up doors to the bar and the site restrooms. The painted grey-scale owl logo will be
will be approximately 6 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide, totaling approximately 21 square feet.
Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC) 9-15.007 states that total aggregate signage in the
Downtown Commercial zone may not exceed 50 square feet. However, the unique design
of the sign and interior location of sign #2 will ensure that site signage complies with the
appropriate AMC findings regarding signage. Additionally, sign #1 incorporates a high
quality, custom-steel design that will promote new business and create a sense of place
in the downtown commercial area.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Administrative Hearing Officer approve
USE 21-0027 to approve the request to allow up to two signs at the Ancient Owl Beer
Garden and Bottle Shoppe.
Page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
☒ Categorical Exemption CEQA – Guidelines Section 15311
☐ Statutory Exemption §§ 21000, et seq & ________________________
☐ No Project – Ministerial Project
Findings
AMC 9-15.011 requires the Hearing Officer to make the following four findings:
1. The need for such signing is based on the purposes set forth in Section 9 -15.002;
The proposed signs accomplish all of the required purposes set forth in section 9-15.002.
Section 9-15.002 (a) describes the purpose to “maintain and improve the aesthetic
environment and overall community appearance to foster the City’s ability to attract
sources of economic development and growth.” Section 9-15.002 (b) describes the
purpose to “encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City
and reduce possible traffic and safety hazards from confusing or distracting signs.”
Section 9-15.002(c) describes the purpose of implementing “quality sign design standards
that are consistent with the City’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Appearance
Review Guidelines” Finally, Section 9-15.002 (i) describes the purpose of regulating
“signs in a manner so as not to physically interfere with or obstruct the vision of pedestrian
or vehicular traffic.” The sign’s placement above the entryway is logical and d does not
create confusion for pedestrians or drivers, and the high-quality design reflects the City’s
aesthetic appeal and goals for economic growth.
2. The opportunity to combine signs for more than one (1) use on a single sign
structure has been considered;
The proposed signs are located at the site entrance and interior of the site. There is not
logical reason to combine the signs into one structure.
3. For freeway-oriented signs, the sign area and height are the minimum needed to
achieve adequate visibility along the freeway due to highway ramp locations and
grade differences; and
The proposed signs are not freeway oriented.
4. Conformance with all other applicable codes and ordinances of the City, including,
but not limited to, the Zoning Ordinance, General Plan and its several elements,
and the appearance review guidelines. (Ord. 604 § 2, 2016)
Improving the appearance and character of Atascadero, including through signage, is a
Framework Principle of the General Plan. These signs in this downtown commercial
zoning district are appropriate for the desired appearance and character of the City and
reflect high-quality design.
Page 3
Conditions
1. Building permits shall be obtained prior to installation of the sign #1. Property
owner’s permission shall be obtained in writing and submitted to City prior to
issuance of permit(s).
2. The design and location of each sign shall be consistent with what is shown in
Attachments 1 and 2.
Code Requirements
1. AMC 9-15 (Sign Ordinance)
2. AMC 9-1.112 Administrative Use Permit
Action:
Approve
Approve as modified
Deny
Continue to: _______________ to allow _________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Continue indefinitely to allow: __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
Hearing Officer
Location Map
Attachment 1: Location Map and Site Plan
USE 21-0027
Project Location
(6090 El Camino
Real)
Site Plan
El Camino Real
Sign #2
Site Courtyard
Sign #1
Proposed Sign #1
Proposed Sign #2
Attachment 2: Proposed Signs
USE 21-0027
6 feet tall
3.5 feet wide