HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of Action
CITY OF ATASCADERO
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
NOTICE OF ACTION Item 1
Department: Community
Development
Date: 12/08/2025
TO: Phil Dunsmore, Administrative Hearing Officer
FROM: Kelly Gleason, Planning Manager
PREPARED BY: Sam Mountain, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT: A-1 Pest Management Sign
RECOMMENDATION:
The Administrative Hearing Officer approve Administrative Use Permit USE25-0063, allowing the
installation of a sign exceeding Municipal Code size standards at 7615 El Camino Real, based on
findings and subject to conditions of approval.
DISCUSSION:
PROJECT SUMMARY
The applicant, A-1 Pest Management, requests a design exception to allow the installation of a 33
square-foot wall sign for an office at 7615 El Camino Real, where the Municipal Code would
otherwise only allow a 22.25 square-foot sign.
ANALYSIS
The subject property is a 0.18-acre lot in the Commercial Professional (CP) zone that contains a
legal nonconforming residence and a small office suite currently occupied by A-1 Pest
Management. The occupants are proposing one wall sign facing the street and no other signage
on the site. The sign is currently installed and a permit will be sought to legalize the sign. During
the permit pre-review process, it was noted that the sign exceeds Municipal Code wall sign size
standards and requires approval of an AUP. The wall sign contains channel-lit three-dimensional
Docusign Envelope ID: D907FB03-380D-4B34-91D4-35940A0B76AC
12/08/2025 | Item 1 | Staff Report
letters and the company logo on an unlit white background and would be the only commercial
sign on the property.
The Atascadero Municipal Code allows a maximum aggregate of 150 square-feet of sign area on
commercial buildings, with wall signage limited to 1 square-foot of wall sign per linear foot of
street or parking lot facing façade. Based on City standards, a wall sign on the street-oriented face
of this building would be limited to 22.25 square-feet. The subject sign measures 33 square-feet,
exceeding Municipal Code standards by 10.75 square-feet. The Municipal Code allows design and
size exceptions for signs to be made with the approval of an Administrative Use Permit subject to
the findings below.
FINDINGS:
1. FINDING: The sign is consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 9-15.002 (“Intent”).
FACT: The sign is consistent with the intent of the Sign Ordinance. It is reasonable in size and
is not designed to be unduly distracting or obstructive.
2. FINDING: The opportunity to combine signs for more than one use on a single sign structure
has been considered.
FACT: The site contains only one tenant space at this time.
3. FINDING: The sign conforms with all other applicable codes and ordinances of the City,
including, but not limited to, the Zoning Ordinance, the General Plan and its several elements,
and the appearance review guidelines.
FACT: The proposed sign complies with all other applicable codes and ordinances of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The proposed project qualifies for a Class 11 categorical exemption 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.) pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15311, which exempts the installation of accessory signs on existing
commercial facilities.
CONCLUSION:
• The applicant is requesting a design exception to allow for increased sign area facing El
Camino Real.
• The sign meets the intent of the code and all applicable City standards.
CONDITIONS:
1. This approval of Administrative Use Permit USE25-0063 allows the installation of a 33
square-foot wall sign on the southwest, street-facing façade of an existing mixed-use
building at 7615 El Camino Real, APN 030-132-032, as depicted and described on the
Docusign Envelope ID: D907FB03-380D-4B34-91D4-35940A0B76AC
12/08/2025 | Item 1 | Staff Report
attached exhibits. This Administrative Use Permit approval authorizes oversized signage
solely for the A-1 Pest Management tenant and shall remain valid under continued
operation of the same business. It shall automatically expire upon termination or change
of the business occupying the tenant space and does not run with the land.
2. Any additional signage shall be subject to review and approval through the construction
permit process and shall comply with all requirements of the Municipal Code, except as
may be otherwise authorized through an approved Administrative Use Permit or other
applicable entitlement.
3. The approval of this entitlement shall become final and effective for the purposes of
issuing building permits fourteen (14) days after the Administrative Hearing Officer’s
action unless an appeal is made in accordance with the Atascadero Municipal Code.
4. Approval of this entitlement shall be valid for six (6) months after its effective date. At the
end of the period, the approval shall expire and become null and void unless building
permits have been issued and finaled for the sign, or the project has received a time
extension consistent with the Atascadero Municipal Code.
5. The Community Development Department shall have the authority to approve minor
changes to the project that result in a superior site design or appearance.
6. The Applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Atascadero or its
agents, officers, and employees against any claim or action brought to challenge an
approval by the City, or any of its entities, concerning this Administrative Use Permit.
ACTION:
☐ APPROVE ☐ APPROVE AS MODIFIED ☐ DENY
☐ CONTINUE TO ALLOW _________________________________________________________
SIGNED:
Phil Dunsmore, Administrative Hearing Officer Date
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Project Plans
Docusign Envelope ID: D907FB03-380D-4B34-91D4-35940A0B76AC
12/9/2025
X
12/08/2025 | Item 1 | Staff Report
Attachment 1: Project Plans
Docusign Envelope ID: D907FB03-380D-4B34-91D4-35940A0B76AC
12/08/2025 | Item 1 | Staff Report
Attachment 1: Project Plans
Docusign Envelope ID: D907FB03-380D-4B34-91D4-35940A0B76AC