HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of ActionCITY OF Arl'ASCADERO
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Notice of Action ITEM # 1
FROM: Sam Mountain, Assistant Planner MEETING DATE: April 12, 2023
FILE NUMBER: USE23-0020
PROJECT ADDRESS: 5925 Entrada Avenue
SITUATION:
The applicant, BU Brewing, LLC, is proposing one new grain silo -shaped monument sign
in the Downtown Commercial (DC) zoning district. While the sign area of the proposed
structure is a circular logo of approximately 7 square feet, the structure is being proposed
exclusively for use as a base for signage; as a result, staff has determined that the entire
structure is a sign. The sign is for the business Barley and Boar Kitchen and Brewhouse
at 5925 Entrada Avenue. Barley and Boar's business license in currently in review with
the City. The proposed sign is 15 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter at its widest point and
will be located in a planter near the business's main entry. As the planter is roughly 14
inches tall, the total combined height will be 16 feet 2 inches. Atascadero Municipal Code
9-15.008 limits ground monument sign height to 6 feet and, in DC zones, enforces a 3 -
foot setback for monument signs from the back of a sidewalk. Since the sign is 10 feet
above maximum height, exceeds the total signage limit of 50 SF in a downtown zone,
and is located within the 3 -foot setback, the applicant is requesting an exception via
Administrative Use Permit.
EVALUATION:
The total aggregate signage area for the business is proposed to be roughly 198 square
feet, which includes a wall sign on the front fagade of approximately 38 square feet and
the silo itself with roughly 160 square feet of usable sign area (measured as the surface
area of the cylindrical portion of the structure).
AMC 9-15.002(a) describes the purpose of "maintain[ing] and improv[ing] the aesthetic
environment and overall community appearance to foster the City's ability to attract
sources of economic development and growth," and AMC 9-15.002(e) describes the
purpose of "minimiz[ing] possible adverse impacts of signs on private and public property
in order to maintain property values and to maintain a positive City image."
While staff is concerned about the large dimensions of the sign due to its large scale
relative to other downtown signage, it would help identify and promote this business, and
would be consistent with other proposed signage for the building. Additionally, the unique
shape and scale of this sign may contribute to Downtown placemaking by serving as a
neighborhood landmark. Staff would be interested in solutions which maximize the draw
and appeal of the sign while minimizing negative externalities on nearby businesses.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Administrative Hearing Officer approve USE23-0020 to allow the
sign as proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
0 Categorical Exemption CEQA — Guidelines Section 15311
❑ Statutory Exemption §§ 21000, et seq &
❑ No Project — Ministerial Project
The proposed project is Categorically Exempt (Class 11) from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et
seq., "CEQA") and CEQA Guidelines (Title 14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000,
et seq.) CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15311, because the proposed
project includes addition of an on-site sign
Findings
AMC 9-15.011 requires the Hearing Officer to make the following 4 findings:
The sign is consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 9-15.002;
The proposed sign helps meet needs that are based in the following purposes outlined in
section 9-15.002 of the AMC. Section 9-15.002(a) intends 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(c) intends to
"implement quality sign design standards that are consistent with the City's General Plan,
Zoning Ordinance and Appearance Review Guidelines;" Section 9-15.002(e) intends
to "minimize possible adverse impacts of signs on private and public property in order to
maintain property values and to maintain a positive City image;" Section 9-
15.002(g) intends to "generally limit commercial signage to on-site locations in order to
protect the aesthetic environment from the visual clutter associated with the unrestricted
proliferation of signs, while providing channels of communication to the public." Finally,
Section 9-15.002(h) intends to "limit the size and number of signs to levels that
reasonably allow for the identification of a residential, public or commercial location and
the nature of any such commercial business."
2. The opportunity to combine signs for more than one (1) use on a single sign
structure has been considered,-
The
onsidered;
The brewing silo shape of the proposed sign identifies it as relating to beer, and thus it
would not be fitting for nearby non -brewery businesses to use the same sign. Additionally,
there are no other free-standing monument signs in the applicant business's immediate
vicinity to which the applicant could attach a sign.
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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 sign is 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)
The sign conforms with applicable codes and ordinances of the City, including Framework
Principles of the General Plan that call for improving the appearance and character of
Atascadero through signage. General Plan Policy 1.3 states: "Enhance the rural character
and appearance of the City, including commercial corridors, gateways and public
facilities." The proposed sign helps promote the downtown commercial area. General
Plan Goal LOC 4 states: "Provide for a strong and distinctive Downtown Area." This sign
will help enhance and promote a commercial node in the downtown area, and allow for a
unique and distinctive sign design that will help frame street -facing businesses in the
downtown commercial zone.
Additionally, the proposed sign follows the City's appearance review manual guidelines
related to signs. Specifically, the number of graphic elements on the sign is the minimum
needed to convey its major message and is composed in proportion to the area of the
sign face.
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1. The dimensions of the sign shall be consistent with Attachment 3, with the
exception of the circular sign area. The maximum sign area on the silo/hopper shall
be 6 feet in length by 5 feet in height.
2. The placement of the sign shall be consistent with Attachment 2.
3. Future wall signs on the property shall be limited to 18 feet in length by 3 feet 6
inches in height.
4. Building and encroachment permits shall be obtained prior to installation of the
sign.
Code Requirements
1. AMC 9-15 (Sign Ordinance)
2. AMC 9-1.112 Administrative Use Permit
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Location Map
Attachment 2 - Proposed Design
Attachment 3 - Silo Elevation and Dimensions
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Action:
❑ Approve
0 Approve as modified
❑ Deny
❑ Continue to: to allow
❑ Continue indefinitely to allow:
ng
Attachment 1: Location Map
USE23-0020
Aerial Map
Attachment 2: Proposed Design
USE23-0020
Proposed Design (not to scale)
Attachment 3: Silo Elevation and Dimensions
USE23-0020