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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of ActionCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Administrative Hearing Final Action Report FROM: Mariah Gasch MEETING DATE: 7/20/2020 FILE NUMBER: USE20-0052 PROJECT ADDRESS: 7055 EI Camino Real SITUATION: The applicant, Coast Monument Signs, is proposing two new wall signs for Panda Express at 7055 EI Camino Real. Sign A is 36 square feet and Sign B is 16 square feet. The applicant is also changing the face of the existing monument sign. This new face is approximately thirteen square feet. In addition to these three signs, the applicant is proposing a 289 square foot mural on the front wall facing EI Camino Real. The mural contains panda images so it is considered a sign for the business. The applicant is asking for two exceptions to Atascadero Municipal Code sign requirements as well as the allowance of a mural. The first exception is for the maximum wall sign size. Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC) 9-15.008 states that signs may not exceed one square foot per lineal foot of wall. The wall Sign B is located on is 10 feet long. Sign B is proposed to be 16 square feet. The second exception is to exceed the maximum total sign area stated in AMC 9-15.007. This code section limits the total aggregate sign area in the Commercial Retail zone to 150 square feet. The total aggregate sign area of the four proposed signs is approximately 205 square feet. Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC) 9-15.008 states than Administrative Use Permit (AUP) approval is required for all Art & Mural sign types. ANALYSIS: The proposed mural includes images of two pandas. This is considered commercial in nature since the name of the new business is called Panda Express. The mural is proposed to be 10 feet tall and 14 feet wide for a total of 140 square feet. The sign only includes the color black, outlining shapes of the two pandas. Since the sign is relatively subtle and does not include any additional words or colors, staff finds this sign consistent with sign regulation intentions as laid out in AMC 9-15.002. Sign A is located on the front wall facing EI Camino Real. The total length of the storefront is 36' 6" long. Sign A is 6'x 6' for a total of 36 square feet, meeting size requirements. Sign B is located on a side wall with a length of 10' 2". The proposed sign is 4' x 4' for a total of 16 square feet, exceeding size limitations. Due to the building's unique shape, the sign is located on a short wall but still fits the scale of the building and overall shopping center. Staff is recommending approval to exceed the size limit for Sign B. Lastly, the applicant is requesting an exception to exceed the maximum aggregate sign area. AMC 9-15.007 limits the total aggregate sign area in the Commercial Retail zone to 150 square feet. The total aggregate sign area of the four proposed signs is approximately 205 square feet. The building is set back from EI Camino Real, separated by a large parking lot with buildings in between. The building does have a large blank wall and an Page 2 added mural would add interest to the shopping center. The signs proposed are in scale with the center and staff is recommending approval with conditions. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Administrative Hearing Officer approve USE20-0052 to approve the request to allow up to two signs at 7055 EI Camino Real Road with conditions of approval. 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 4 findings: 1. The need for such signing is based on the purposes set forth in Section 9-15.002; The proposed signs accomplish three of the required purposes. 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." 2. The opportunity to combine signs for more than one (1) use on a single sign structure has been considered; The proposed wall signs are on two sides of the building, facing two different directions. The monument sign is existing, the sign is just changing faces and the mural can be considered commercial art. 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 will not be visible from the freeway. 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 signage, is a Framework Principle of the General Plan. These signs in this zoning district are appropriate for the desired appearance and character of the City. Page 3 Attachments 1. Location Map 2. Sign Design Package Conditions • Building permits shall be obtained priorto installation of the signs. Property owner's permission shall be obtained in writing and submitted to City prior to issuance of permit(s). • The design and location of each sign shall be consistent with what is shown in Attachments 1 and 2 with a maximum mural size of 140 square feet. Code Requirements 1. AMC 9-15 (Sign Ordinance) 2. AMC 9-1.112 Administrative Use Permit Action: N� Approve ❑ Approve as modified ❑ Deny ❑ Continue to: to allow ❑ Continue indefinitely to allow: Hearing Officer Ir TIAL , 41 � r� Pt{SfA DEL GAMINO . S1 OPPW4G CENTER � w ,.. y o Monument.. Sign a, f Attachment 2: Proposed Signs USE 20-0052 Building Front (Sign A & Wall Mural) 47:01 xtr i 1W By adws Ur dw separate 6 fAalmires+ b* We Permit} Avs1i to be'Imn Ore" Building Side (Sign B Iff-2, Monument Sign Face Change (Sign Y Sign A EkpR�s y'��'SE K►"�C` � Sign Dimensions y 7 1 e e &Ukw Edge Sign B I t � k t Retainer Edge