HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUP_2019-10-11_AgendaPacket 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 11:00 a.m. or later on Friday, October 11, 2019 at City Hall, Room 106,
6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, to consider the following project:
1. 6907 EL CAMINO REAL UNIT C, USE19-0091; The project is an application
to allow signage for Wildfields Brew. (Wildfields Brew/Southpaw Sign
Co.) (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 appealed 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 $786 and must accompany the appeal
documentation.
C ITY OF A TASCADERO
COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT
Administrative Hearing Agenda Report ITEM # 1
FROM: John Holder MEETING DATE: 10/11/2019
FILE NUMBER: USE19-0091
PROJECT ADDRESS: 6907 El Camino Real Unit C
SITUATION: The applicant, Wild Field Brewhouse LLC, is proposing a new painted wall
sign that is larger than permitted in the Downton Commercial (DC) zoning district. The
building will contain two signs. This includes one painted wall sign (Sign B) that this
administrative use permit will allow and one wall sign (Sign A) that is part of a separate
sign permit. Each sign is on a separate building façade and both face existing parking
areas. The proposed Sign B is approximately 98 square feet, which is approximately 48
square feet over the size limit for wall signs in the DC zoning district. The sign would be
made up of hand-painted letters and drop shadowing on the side of the building that faces
Capistrano Avenue. The applicant is requesting the exception in order to maximize
underutilized wall space alongside Capistrano Avenue and promote a new business in
the downtown commercial area.
EVALUATION:
The total aggregate signage area for the building is proposed to be 142.3 square feet,
including Sign A (not part of the AUP application) and sign B. Sign B is proposed to be
approximately 98 square feet. Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC) Section 9-15.007 limits
total aggregate sign area for this zoning district to 50 square feet. However, the painted
wall sign would help promote downtown business and conform to community character.
In addition, this building is part of a planned center and set back a considerable distance
from the adjacent rights-of-way. Larger signage will increase visibility from the public way
as well as from the adjacent parking lots. The existing wall does not contain any existing
signage except for existing emergency/parking signage and the proposed sign design is
proportionate to the existing building wall. The expanded painted wall sign would help
implement City goals for a vibrant and distinctive downtown area.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Administrative Hearing Officer:
Approve the applicant’s proposed mural sign and issue an Administrative Use
Permit (AUP) for the mural sign.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
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☒ 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 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 applicant’s sign location has frontage to Capistrano Avenue and also to a mixed use
serving parking area, so there is a need for two signs as part of the project. Additionally,
this AUP permit is only for Sign B.
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 corridor. General
Page 3
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 is in compliance with the
City’s appearance review manual guidelines related to signs. Specifically, the sign is in
scale and proportion in its visual relationship to the building and surrounding structures,
and can be considered harmonious with the building.
Conditions
1. The design and location of the sign shall be consistent with Attachment 3.
Code Requirements
1. AMC 9-15 (Sign Ordinance)
2. AMC 9-1.112 Administrative Use Permit
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Location and Vicinity Map
Attachment 2 - Proposed Sign
Attachment 3 - Site Photos
Action:
Approve
Approve as modified
Deny
Continue to : _______________ to allow _________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Continue indefinitely to allow: __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
Hearing Officer
Phil Dunsmore
Page 4
Attachment 1: Location Map
USE 19-0039
Attachment 1: Location and Vicinity Map
USE 19-0091
Page 5
Attachment 2: Proposed Sign
USE 19-0091
Page 6
Sign Location - view from Capistrano Road
Attachment 3: Site Photos
USE 19-0091