HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.4.20_USE26-0024_NOA.docx
CITY OF ATASCADERO
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
NOTICE OF ACTION Item 1
Department: Community
Development
Date: 4/20/2026
TO: Phil Dunsmore, Administratfve Hearing Officer
FROM: Kelly Gleason, Planning Manager
PREPARED BY: Sahana Kotha, Planning Intern
SUBJECT: Specs by Kyla Commercial Signs
RECOMMENDATION:
The Administratfve Hearing Officer approve Administratfve Use Permit USE26-0024 for a sign
design exceptfon to allow the installatfon of one (1) 48 square-foot painted wall sign and two (2)
18 square-foot changeable copy window signs at 5915 El Camino Real (APN 029-323-025), based
on findings and subject to conditfons of approval.
DISCUSSION:
PROJECT SUMMARY
Kyla Skinner, the applicant, requests a sign design exceptfon to allow commercial signage with an
aggregate sign area of 84 square feet (SF), a wall sign located above the second-floor sill, and
contfnued use of two faux-windows for signs for an optfcal shop at 5915 El Camino Real. The
subject property is a 0.08-acre lot in the Downtown Commercial (DC) zone that contains a two-
story building occupied by Specs by Kyla on the ground floor. The proposed commercial signs
include a 48 square-foot (SF) wall sign and 36 SF of window signage.
Docusign Envelope ID: CB96ADDF-E94C-8F4D-8265-FC738F090ECE
4/20/2026 | Notice of Action
ANALYSIS
The existfng building has a 28’ frontage along El Camino Real and an approximately 59’ side façade
facing a shared parking lot along Traffic Way. The first-floor frontage is outiitted with two (2)
existfng 18 SF faux-windows used for signage and display. The Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC)
allows an aggregate sign area of 50 SF in the Downtown Commercial zone, as summarized in the
chart below.
DESIGN EXCEPTION SUMMARY TABLE
Sign Code Standard Requested Design Exception
Aggregate sign area limited to 50 SF in the DC Zone. Proposed aggregate sign area of 84 SF comprised of
one 48 SF painted wall sign and two 18 SF faux-
window displays.
Changeable copy signs are limited to one per business. Two existfng faux-window displays are proposed to be
used for commercial signs and advertfsements
associated with the business.
One wall sign per public street or parking lot frontage.
Wall signs shall be located below the second-floor sill on
multf-story buildings.
Proposed painted wall sign extends above the
second-floor sill.
The applicant is proposing one 48 SF painted wall sign facing the adjacent shared parking lot. The
wall sign consists of multf-colored letters positfoned vertfcally down the side of the building and
extends above the second-story sill. The applicant is also proposing to utflize two existfng faux-
windows facing El Camino Real for additfonal signage and advertfsement display. These faux
window displays allow for changeable copies by design. The aggregate area of the commercial
signage is 84 SF. An AUP is required to allow for the requested design exceptfons. Approval of an
Administratfve Use Permit subject to the findings below.
FINDINGS:
Docusign Envelope ID: CB96ADDF-E94C-8F4D-8265-FC738F090ECE
4/20/2026 | Notice of Action
1. FINDING: The sign is consistent with the purposes set forth in Sectfon 9-15.002 (“Intent”).
FACT: The signs are consistent with the intent of the Sign Ordinance. They are reasonable in
size and placement and are not designed to be unduly distractfng or obstructfve. Signs are
proposed on faux-windows on the front building façade; these faux-windows are not fully
transparent and do not provide any visibility into the building. These window signs are a
adequate optfon for maintaining an actfve street frontage in this circumstance where the
windows would not otherwise add to the buildings’ transparency.
2. FINDING: The opportunity to combine signs for more than one use on a single sign structure
has been considered.
FACT: The site contains one tenant space currently. Signage is limited on each façade and
consolidated to respond to the visual appearance and scale of each facade.
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 exemptfon 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 Regulatfons §§ 15000, et seq.) pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Sectfon 15311, which exempts the installatfon of accessory signs on existfng
commercial facilitfes.
CONCLUSION:
• The applicant is requestfng a design exceptfon to allow a painted wall sign to extend above
the second story sill, utflize the faux-windows for commercial signage, and allow the
applicant to exceed the existfng 50 SF aggregate sign area limitatfon.
• The signs are well-designed, proportfoned with the massing of the building, and
compatfble with the commercial nature of the downtown zone.
CONDITIONS:
1. This approval of Administratfve Use Permit USE26-0024 allows the installatfon of a 48
square-foot wall sign on the southeast, parking lot-facing façade and two 18 square-foot
changeable copy signs in faux-windows on the front façade of an existfng building at 5915
El Camino Real, APN 029-323-025, as depicted and described on the attached exhibits.
This Administratfve Use Permit approval authorizes signage solely for Specs by Kyla and
shall remain valid under contfnued operatfon of the same business. It shall automatfcally
expire upon terminatfon or change of the business occupying the tenant space and does
not run with the land.
Docusign Envelope ID: CB96ADDF-E94C-8F4D-8265-FC738F090ECE
4/20/2026 | Notice of Action
2. Any additfonal signage shall be subject to review and approval through the constructfon
permit process and shall comply with all requirements of the Municipal Code, except as
may be otherwise authorized through an approved Administratfve Use Permit or other
applicable entftlement.
3. The approval of this entftlement shall become final and effectfve for the purposes of
issuing building permits fourteen (14) days after the Administratfve Hearing Officer’s
actfon unless an appeal is made in accordance with the Atascadero Municipal Code.
4. Approval of this entftlement shall be valid for six (6) months after its effectfve date. At the
end of the period, the approval shall expire and become null and void unless the signs
have been installed, or the project has received a tfme 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 actfon brought to challenge an
approval by the City, or any of its entftfes, concerning this Administratfve Use Permit.
ACTION:
☐ APPROVE ☐ APPROVE AS MODIFIED ☐ DENY
☐ CONTINUE TO ALLOW _________________________________________________________
SIGNED: _______________________________4/20/2026________
Phil Dunsmore, Administratfve Hearing Officer Date
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Sign Exhibits
Docusign Envelope ID: CB96ADDF-E94C-8F4D-8265-FC738F090ECE
X
4/20/2026 | Notice of Action
Attachment 1: Sign Exhibits
59’-0”
Docusign Envelope ID: CB96ADDF-E94C-8F4D-8265-FC738F090ECE
4/20/2026 | Notice of Action
Attachment 1: Sign Exhibits
Docusign Envelope ID: CB96ADDF-E94C-8F4D-8265-FC738F090ECE