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CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA
Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
3:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 106
6500 Palma Avenue
Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call: Chairperson Bob Kelley
Committee Member Duane Anderson
Committee Member Mark Dariz
Committee Member Roberta Fonzi
Committee Member Jamie Kirk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DRAFT ACTION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
City of Atascadero Design Review Committee Agenda Regular Meeting, September 23, 2015
Page 2 of 4
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DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW
2. PLN 2015-1566 / DRC 2015-0075, SIGNAGE AT 9990 EL CAMINO REAL
(CHALK MOUNTAIN LIQUOR)
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The next DRC meeting will be announced.
Agendas, Minutes and Staff Reports are available online at www.atascadero.org
under City Officials & Commissions, Design Review Committee.
Property
Owner/Applicant:
Michael Hawkins, 5205 Carrizo Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
Project Title: PLN 2015-1566 / DRC 2015-0075
Project Location: 9990 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 / 5145 El
Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
(APN 056-081-030) San Luis Obispo County
Project
Description:
The project is a review of on-site and off-site signage for
Chalk Mountain Liquor. This includes the use of changeable
copy signage, off-premise signage, and billboard signs.
General Plan Designation: General Commercial (GC)
Zoning District: Commercial Retail (CR)
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
Not determined.
Staff
Recommendation:
DRC provide direction on use of signage to staff.
DRC Draft Action Minutes of 9/9/15
Page 1 of 6
CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Regular Meeting – Wednesday, September 9, 2015 – 3:00 P.M.
City Hall Room 202 (note room change)
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 p.m.
Chairperson Kelley called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Bob Kelley
Committee Member Duane Anderson
Committee Member Roberta Fonzi
Committee Member Jamie Kirk
Committee Member Mark Dariz
Absent: None
Staff Present: Interim Community Development Director, Gary Broad
Assistant Planner, Alfredo Castillo
Contract Planner, Katie Banister
Planning Intern, Tara Ash-Reynolds
Recording Secretary, Annette Manier
Others Present: Ellen Goodwin
Steve Rigor
John Young
Royce Eddings
Joe Duhon
Barry Ephraim
Kay Logan
ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: 9-23-15
DRC Draft Action Minutes of 9/9/15
Page 2 of 6
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Committee Member Fonzi and seconded by
Committee Member Dariz to approve the Agenda.
There was Committee consensus to approve the Agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Chairperson Kelley closed the Public Comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DRAFT ACTION MINUTES OF AUGUST 12, 2015
MOTION: By Committee Member Fonzi and seconded by
Committee Member Dariz to approve the consent
calendar.
There was Committee consensus to approve the consent
calendar.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW
2. PLN 2015-1564 / DRC 2015-0072, 5920 W. MALL (CONTINUED FROM 8-12-15)
Contract Planner Banister gave the staff report and she, along with Planning staff,
answered questions from the Committee. Ms. Banister stated that staff will be submitting
a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the Planning Commission and City Council to
Property Owner: Steven Goodman, 211 Mission Ln., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Applicant: Ellen Goodwin, SDG Architects, 762 Higuera St., Ste. 212, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Project Title: PLN 2015-1564 / DRC 2015-0072
Project Location: 5920 W. Mall, Atascadero CA 93422
(San Luis Obispo County) APN 029-344-038 and 029
Project
Description:
The project is a design review of a proposed single story medical office building to replace an
existing single story medical office building. The site is adjacent to a landmark coast live oak
tree located in the West Mall right-of-way. The project also includes parking lot and landscaping
improvements.
General Plan Designation: Downtown (D)
Zoning District: Downtown Commercial (DC)
Staff
Recommendation:
DRC approve the proposed site plan, architectural elevations, and landscaping plan with
modifications.
DRC Draft Action Minutes of 9/9/15
Page 3 of 6
consider limiting offices and health care services to second and third stories in the
Downtown Commercial Zoning District.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following people spoke during public comment: Ellen Goodwin.
Chairperson Kelley closed the Public Comment period.
Staff and committee members agreed to eliminate the 1st condition to replace eliminated
windows in the side elevation. They also agreed the sign should be designed consistent
with building materials, and that the type of shade tree should be left up to staff and the
applicant to decide (as long as they contact the neighboring property owner to work on
the best solution for location of the tree).
MOTION: By Committee Member Kirk and seconded by Committee
Member Kelley to approve staff recommendations as
amended, as follows:
Externally illuminate the monument sign and design consistent with
building materials.
Eliminate turf areas.
Design the planting strip between the patio and sidewalk with a
minimum 3-foot width.
Add drought tolerant plants and shrubs to the areas on either side of
the front driveway.
Add shade tree (s) to the southern side of the parking lot (leave up to
staff and the client on the type of tree) and contact the owner of the
building next door.
There was Committee consensus to approve these
amended recommendations.
3. PLN 2099-0435 / DRC 2015-0074, 7305 MORRO ROAD (MORESCO PLAZA)
Property Owner: M P Paso, LLC, 284 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Applicant/
Representative:
Steve Rigor, Arris Studio Architects
1306 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Project Title: PLN 2099-0435 / DRC 2015-0074
Project Location: 7355 Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422, (APN 031-052-044) San Luis Obispo
Project
Description:
The project is a design review of a change to the Master Plan of Development for
Moresco Plaza. The applicant proposes the South Building be reduced from a
two-story building to a single-story building.
DRC Draft Action Minutes of 9/9/15
Page 4 of 6
Contract Planner Banister gave the staff report and answered questions from the
Committee.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following people spoke during public comment: Steve Rigor.
Chairperson Kelley closed the Public Comment period.
After discussion, it was agreed that Items 3 and 7 in the recommendation should be
eliminated. Trash will be monitored and if needed, an enclosure will be added later.
MOTION: By Committee Member Fonzi and seconded by
Committee Member Kelley to approve staff
recommendations with changes, as follows:
Include a patio area to the north of the South Building.
Reorient the entry door for Suite A to the north elevation of the
building.
Replant the London Plane tree in the southeast corner of the parking
lot.
Include a London Plane street tree in the front setback.
Eliminate all turf, replace with drought tolerant plants.
There was Committee consensus to approve these
amended recommendations.
4. PLN 2099-0829 / DRC 2015-0076, 5310 CARRIZO SUBDIVISION LAYOUT
MODIFICATIONS
General Plan Designation: General Commercial (GC)
Zoning District: Commercial Professional (CP) and Planned Development (PD-3)
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
The project is in substantial conformance with Mitigated Negative Declaration 2004-
0019.
Staff
Recommendation:
DRC endorse changes to the Master Plan of Development for the property.
Property Owner: 5310 Carrizo Rd, LLC, 1363 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Applicant: Barry Ephraim, 125 South Bowling Green Way, L.A., CA 90049
Project Title: PLN 2099-0829 / DRC 2015-0076
Project Location: 5318-5310 Carrizo Ct / Pinon Way / Copado Way
DRC Draft Action Minutes of 9/9/15
Page 5 of 6
Assistant Planner Castillo gave the staff report and he, and Interim Director Broad
answered questions from the Committee. The applicants will receive a Path to Success
letter after this meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following people spoke during public comment: John Young, Royce Eddings, Kay
Logan, and Barry Ephraim.
Chairperson Kelley closed the Public Comment period.
Assistant Planner Castillo addressed Ms. Logan’s concerns regarding the road and
sewer.
MOTION: By Committee Member Dariz and seconded by Committee
Member Anderson to connect the road from Carrizo Road
to Pinon Road.
There was Committee consensus to approve this.
5. PLN 2015-1559/DRC 2015-0071, STATE FARM SIGN AT 6275 PALMA AVE.
Project
Description:
The project is a design review of proposed subdivision layout modifications and
recommendations on internal subdivision circulation.
General Plan Designation: Single-Family Residential (SFR)
Zoning District: Residential Single-Family (RSF-X) / Planned Development (PD-17)
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
Consistent with Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration 2004 -0030
Staff
Recommendation:
Provide applicant direction on circulation connection of Carrizo Ct (Alleyway) to
Pinon Way.
Property Owner: Charles Braun, 6275 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422
Applicant: Mark Blackford, 305 E. Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Project Title: PLN 2015-1559 / DRC 2015-0071 / AUP 2015-0073
Project Location: 6275 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422
(APN 029-343-009) San Luis Obispo County
Project
Description:
The application is a request for a monument signage exception, consistent with
Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC) Section 9-15.006, for an existing business in the
Downtown Commercial (DC) zone.
General Plan Designation: Downtown (D)
Zoning District: Downtown Commercial (DC)
DRC Draft Action Minutes of 9/9/15
Page 6 of 6
Contract Planner Banister gave the staff report. Contract Planner Banister, Assistant
Planner Castillo, and Planning Intern Ash-Reynolds answered questions from the
Committee. There was discussion on the height of the sign. Representatives from State
Farm were not present for the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
There was Committee consensus that Sign 1, 3 and 4 were
preferred (not the proposed Sign 2) on Page 50, that
up lighting is preferred over an internally illuminated sign,
and that the massing needs to be changed. The Committee
agreed to send the item back to staff to work with the
applicant, and bring the item back to a future date.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
None
DIRECTORS REPORT
Interim Director Broad stated that Phil Dunsmore will be the City’s new Community
Development Director and will begin work on September 28, 2015.
Interim Director Broad stated that the next DRC meeting would be held on September 23,
2015, and that signage for Chalk Mountain Liquor will be on the agenda.
Interim Director Broad stated that the State Farm AUP/DRC item will be continued to a
date certain of October 14, 2015. The item will not be re-noticed.
ADJOURNMENT – 4:20 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the DRC is scheduled for September 23, 2015, at 3 p.m. at
City Hall, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
______________________________
Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
Categorically Exempt Section 15311; Placement of on premise sign.
Staff
Recommendation:
DRC to discuss and provide recommendations on monument signage to the
Administrative Hearing Officer.
1
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Atascadero Design Review Committee
Report In Brief - Community Development Department
Alfredo R. Castillo, AICP, Planner, (805) 470-3448, acastillo@atascadero.org
Chalk Mountain Liquor
Appearance Review for Changeable Copy Signage and
Off-Premise Signage
9990 El Camino Real
Owner /
Applicant:
Michael Hawkins
5205 Carrizo Road, Atascadero
Address: 9990 El Camino Real
APN: 056-081-030
General Plan: General Commercial (GC)
Zoning: Commercial Neighborhood (CN)
Existing Use: Chalk Mountain Liquor and Gas
Station
Design Review Items
Changeable copy signage
Off-premise vehicle signage
Use of large changeable copy signage
Summary:
The applicant, Michael Hawkins, currently utilizes changeable copy signage at the Chalk
Mountain Liquor and gas station at 9990 El Camino Real. In addition to changeable copy
signage, the applicant is utilizing an existing, non -permitted on-premise billboard and an
off-premise vehicle with additional signage that is inconsistent with the City’s Signage
Ordinance. The applicant has applied for an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) seeking an
exception to the City’s signage regulations, consistent with Section 9-15.006 of the
Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC).
9990 El Camino Real
Chalk Mountain Liquor
2
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Background:
In 2008, the property owner submitted an AUP application for changeable copy signage
for the Stagecoach Liquor located at 5145 El Camino Real. The Administrative Hearing
Officer elected to bring this issue before the Planning Commission in December 2008. At
that December 2008 hearing, the Planning Commission discussed not only the use of
changeable copy signs, but additional signage such as banners, a -frame signs, etc. The
Commission directed staff to draft a comprehensive Sign Ordinance update that would
include the following:
Research and implications of allowing changeable copy signs and electronic
signage;
Draft an ordinance to plainly state what is allowable and not allowable in terms of
signage;
Special approach to enforcement of signage;
Specify different requirements for different zoning areas;
Make a distinction between banners and fixed, permanent signs;
Enforcement to be considered a revenue producer;
Research the number of allowable banners and have a rationale for that number;
Make appearance recommendations;
Include research on other cities’ sign ordinances;
Provide business owner and signage company outreach.
At this meeting, staff indicated to the applicant that they could continue operating with
non-compliant signage until there was Planning Commission clarification. Staff did not
return to the Planning Commission with a comprehensive Sign Ordinance change and
the applicant continued to operate with non-compliant signage.
In 2015, the City, in partnership with the Atascad ero Chamber of Commerce, kicked-off
the “Improve Atascadero Signage” campaign that focused on improving the aesthetics of
the City’s primary commercial corridor, El Camino Real and eliminating temporary
signage such as banner signs, feather flag signs, and other signage that is not compliant
with the City’s Sign Ordinance. The applicant has been visited by City staff and notified
of the use of non-compliant signage on two (2) occasions. The applicant has applied for
an AUP for Chalk Mountain Liquor at 9990 El Camino. Staff is seeking direction from the
DRC on how to proceed with the AUP application that will provide direction for a future
AUP application in regards to changeable copy signage.
3
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Changeable Copy Signage:
Although there are existing non-permitted changeable copy business signs in the City,
they have not been required to comply with the Municipal Code. As a part of the “Improve
Atascadero Signage” campaign, staff is currently seeking compliance of these signs and
working with business owners to either remove these signs or at minimu m, submit an
AUP application for their changeable copy signs. Approval of an AUP could bring
individual changeable copy signs into compliance on a case-by-case basis.
Per the Atascadero Municipal Code, the applicant may apply for additional signage
including changeable copy signage. This changeable copy signage would be in addition
to the standard allowable signage for commercial businesses within the Commercial
Retail (CR) zone.
The applicant currently uses a number of changeable copy signs to advertise prices and
goods sold on both sites. Staff has been working with the applicant in addition to many
businesses along El Camino Real to bring banner displays into conformance with the
Municipal Code, which allows for one banner to be displayed at a time for a maximum of
30-days. The banner must be located flat on the wall of a commercial building and must
be down for a minimum of 60-days before another banner can be displayed.
Changeable Copy Signage – Chalk Mountain
4
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
The applicant has stated that advertisement of current prices is vital to his business as
prices are subject to change regularly. Staff is aware of other businesses stores that use
banners and other more permanent changeable copy signs to advertise goods a nd prices,
however, none of these signs are permitted. Staff is currently working with business
owners to comply with the regulations by eliminating the signs or requesting consideration
of their signage through the AUP process.
In 2008, staff formulated the following potential “regulations” to allow for changeable copy
signs as a part of the 2008 AUP:
Signage shall be located on the main building or the colonnade posts;
No signage shall be permitted on the fence or canopy;
No more than 4 individual signs shall be permitted at any given time;
Each sign shall be a maximum of 6 square-feet;
A total of 24 square feet of changeable copy signage would be allowed.
The applicant is requesting that these changeable copy signs be permitted through this
process. Staff is seeking direction from the DRC on the following:
A. Whether to allow these signs on a more permanent basis;
B. If these types of signs are allowed, what kind of limit should be placed on the
number and potential square footage of signs;
C. How can the appearance of changeable monument signs be modified to formalize
these types of signs and eliminate the temporary look and feel of these types of
signs.
Oversized changeable copy signage:
City staff (over the last few months) has received complaints in regards to an oversized
changeable copy sign / billboard at the applicant’s Chalk Mountain Liquor location. The
applicant has constructed an oversized changeable copy sign / billboard measuring 128
sf, without obtaining either and AUP or CUP, per Section 9-15.003(d)(7) of the AMC. The
applicant has enlarged this sign over the last year or so to attract additional business from
the Santa Rosa Road / US 101 north on-ramp. In addition to requiring a CUP/AUP, the
existing sign requires a building permit, which has not been obtained, under the California
Building Code (CBC).
Staff is recommending that the sign be removed, or replaced with monument signage that
can exceed current City standard of 60 sf to ensure visibility from the off -ramp. This
monument signage should include the originally allowed display of gas prices as shown
in the 2011 image captured from Google Street View and be consistent with landscaping
and other monument signage standards. The DRC is being asked to weigh in on this
issue and provide direction to both staff and the applicant.
5
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
2012 Google Street View of Changeable Gas Price / Monument sign
September 2015 Sign Facing Freeway
6
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Off-Premise Vehicle Signage:
City staff has also received complaints in regards vehicles being utilized as off -premise
signs directing motorists to Chalk Mountain Liquor and Gas. The Atascadero Municipal
Code states the following:
Prohibited Signage – AMC 9-15.003(d)(7)
Signs on vehicles when the vehicle is parked or placed for the primary purpose of displaying said sign
except a sign painted directly upon, magnetically affixed to or permanently affixed to the body or other
integral part of the vehicle. Such signs shall not be used as a billboard. Such signs may contain
noncommercial message.
Staff has interpreted this so that vehicles that include magnetically affixed logos, business
names, or that are considered “wrap” (attachment 3) are not considered signs. The
applicant’s vehicles however are parked and displayed with the primary purpose to be
utilized as a billboard to direct motorists to the premise. Staff feels this is in violation of
the City’s signage code.
September 2015 Sign Facing Westbound San Gabriel Road
7
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Staff is recommending that the DRC direct the applicant to remove the vehicle’s affixed
signage as it is inconsistent with the City’s signage code.
DRC Direction:
The DRC is being asked to provide the applicant and staff direction on how to proceed
with an AUP for Chalk Mountain Liquor. The applicant has submitted an AUP for the
changeable copy signs at 9990 El Camino Real (Chalk Mountain Liquor). The applicant
also is the owner of Stagecoach Liquor and Gas located at 5145 El Camino Real. Based
on feedback received from the DRC, the
owner, as well as other business owners,
would be given a path to potentially legalize
changeable copy signage. The DRC is being
asked to review the following:
1. The use of permanent changeable copy
signage;
2. The use of an oversized changeable
copy sign / billboard at 9990 El Camino;
3. The use of off-premise vehicles as
directional signage.
September 2015 Vehicle July 2015 Vehicle
Changeable Copy Signage – Stagecoach
Liquor
8
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Letter from Applicant
Attachment 2: Applicant Site Plan
Attachment 3: Vehicle Wrap example
9
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Attachment 1: Applicant’s Letter
10
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Attachment 2: Site Plan
11
ITEM NUMBER:
2
DATE: 9-23-15
Attachment 3: Vehicle Wrap example