HomeMy WebLinkAboutLimited Sign Permit LSP1987003 - Staff Report/Executive Summaryhuntington beach development services
--R E POR
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Community Development
DATE: July 21, 1987
SUBJECT: LIMITED SIG; PERMIT 87-3
APPLICANT: American Merchant Bank
2730 E. Chapman Avenue
Orange, California 92669
REQUEST: To change, copy of non-
conforming freestanding
sign and permit extension
of use for two years.
LOCATION: 16902 Bolsa Chica Road
(approximately 100 ft.
north of Warner Avenue)
DATE ACCEPTED:
May 29, 1987
department
MANDATORY PROCESSING DATE:
July 29, 1987
,ZONE: C2 (Commercial)
GENERAL PLAN: General
Commercial
EXISTING USE: Office/
Professional Center
1.0 SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve Limited Sign Permit 87-3 and grant a two-year time extension
for the use of the sign with findings and conditions of approval.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION:
Limited Sign Permit 87-3 is a request to permit a change of copy
from List,American Bank to American Merchant, Bdnk, and to grant a
two-year extension of use for an Rpproximately 20 foot high, 100
square foot non-conforming, freestanding sign for the American
Merchant-Bank located at 16902 Bolsa Chica Street. The sign is
located at the driveway entrance to a professional office center.
Approval of Limited Sign Permit 87-3 would permit the copy change
and time limit extension for use of the sign, in addition to
triggering the requirement that a planned sign program be developed
and approved for the center prior to the issuance of a building
permit for the face change. At the end of the two year time period
extension for use of the non-conforming sign, the approved planned
sign program will be implemented.
3.0 SURROUNDING LAND USE ZONING AND GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATIONS:
Sub'ect Pro ert
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION : Low Density Residential
ZONE: C2 (Commercial)
LAND USE : Office /Professional building
North of Sub'ect Pro ert :
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION : Medium Density Residential
ZONE: (Q) R2 (Medium Density
Residential-Qualified)
LAND USE : Vacant
East of Sub 'ect Pro ert :
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION : Low Density Residential
ZONE: (Q)MH (Mobile Home-Qualified)
LAND USE : Meadowlark Airport
South of Sub'ect Pro ert
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION : General Commercial,
ZONE : C2 (Commercial)
LAND USE: Retain Center and Restaurant
West of Sub'ect Pro ert :
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION : General Commercial
ZONE : C2 (Commercial)
LAND USE : Restaurant
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS:
The proposed project is exempt pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 of
the California Environmental Quality Act.
5.0 COASTAL STATUS: Not applicable.
6.0 REDEVELOPMENT STATUS: Not applicable.
7.0 SPECIFIC PLAN: Not applicable.
8.0 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE : Not applicable.
9.0 ISSUES AND ANALYSIS:
The following is a matrix which illustrates code requirements for
the existing freestanding sign:
Section Issue
9610.5(b) Business Identification
for sites with less
than 400 ft. on one
frontage
Type of Sign
Max. Number of
signs
Max. Area/Sign
Max. Sign Height
Location
Amount of Copy
Permitted/
Required
Freestanding
Existing
330 ft, of
frontage along
Bolsa Chica St.
Freestanding
1 per site
50 sq.ft.
7 ft.
Freestanding
signs shall be
located in a
landscaped
planter a min.
of 2 ft. wider
than the sign
itself
100 sq.ft.*
20 ft.*
West end of
sign is less
than 1 ft. away
from planter ,
edge*
Primary sign
copy shall be
limited to
center and/or
major tenant
identification
only. Max. of
12 items (words
or symbols) of
information.
Primary copy
for bank,
center identi-
fication, plus
8 other bust
ness names; 39
items of infor-
mation total*
* Non-conforming
As noted above, the subject sign is not in conformance with the
cr.rrent. sign code requirements. it exceeds the maximum limitations
for height, size and amount of copy. In addition, the existing
landscape planter which houses the sign is deficient in size.
The subject sign, which is located along the frontage of Bolsa Chica
Street, accommodates advertisement panels for eight (8) other
businesses located in Harbour Business Center in addition to the
bank advertisement. There are no other freestanding signs along
Bolsa Chica Street within the center.
Staff Report - 7/21/87 -3- (8619d)
The applicant has requested a limited sign permit for a simple copy
change to avoid placing any undue or unplanned financial burden on
the other merchants in the business center to remove the sign or
bring it into conformance with the current sign code. The applicant
contends that the existing sign is both attractive and well
integrated with the architectural style of the buildings and would
like to maintain the sign, with the requested minor change in copy,
for another two years. The applicant has indicated that the letter
type and color on the freestanding sign will match the wall sign on
the bank located on the upper facia of the building.
Nothwithstanding the nonconforming status of the sign, staff concurs
with the applicant and finds that the sign itself is attractive and
architecturally harmonio°ls with the center's design theme of
contemporary wood panelling and lines and angles.
According to Section 9610.8 of the Ordinance Code, the owner of a
nonconforming sign may apply for a limited sign permit to change the
face or copy of such sign. The Planning Commission may approve a
limited sign permit and extend the use of a nonconforming sign for a
maximum of two years. A cash bond must be posted by the applicant
to guarantee the removal of the sign at the end of the permitted
time period.
In addition; Section 9610.2(a)(2) requires that prior to the
issuance of a building permit for a sign as a result of a limited
sign permit (i.e. before the copy on the nonconforming sign can be
changed), a planned sign program must be developed by the applicant
and approved by the Director of Community Development. in other
words, per Ordinan a requirea:ents, a planned sign program must be a
condition of approval for a limited sign permit.
Given the following facts: (1) the 1,onconforming, freestanding sign
is architecturally compatible with the Harbour Business Center; (2)
the limited sign permit will be temporary (a maximum of two years)
and the nonconforming sign will be removed or brought into
conformance within two years; (3) the posting of a cash bond will be
required to ensure removal or modification of the nonconforming
sign; (4) a planned sign program must be approved prior to the
implementation of the requested copy change; and (5) the approved
plan sign program will be implemented at the tern,nation of the time
period extension approved in Limited Sign Permit 87-3; staff
recom'tends approval of the applicant's request for Limited Sign
Permit 87-3.
The sign will not adversely affect other lawfully erected signs' in
the area nor will it be decrimeatal to other properties located
nearby. Moreover, the two year time extension for use of the sign
will afford the businesses in the center an adequate amount of time
to plan for the eventual cost of bringing the sign into conformance
with the City's Ordinance Code and to implement a planned sign
program.
10.0 RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Limited Sign
Permit 87-3 based on the following findings and conditions of
approval.
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL:
1. Due to unique circumstances , the sign's immediate removal will
result in a substantial financial hardship for the applicant
and the other tenants in the Harbour Business Center.
The sign will not adversely affect other lawfully erected signs
in the area.
3. The sign will not be detrimental to properties located in the
vicinity.
4. The sign will be in keeping with the character of the
surrounding area.
5. The sign will not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic
visibility and will not be ahazardous distraction.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
after thete.r:r,ination of the approved time period for extension
of use, the City of Huntington Beach or its agents.or employees
may enter on the property where said sign is located and remove
such sign, and the cost of removal shall be deducted from the
cash bond and summarily forfeited and paid over to the City of
Huntington Beach and the remainder, if any, returned to the
person depositing the bond.
a cash bond in the amount of $2,000 with the City, or its
equivalent as approved by the City Attorney for the purpose of
indemnifying the City for any and ail costs incurred in the
removal of the sign structure. If the sign is not made to
conform with the applicable provisions of the sign ordinance
1. The site plan and elevations received and dated May 11, 1987,
shall be the approved layout.
2. Prior to issuance of building permits to change the copy, a
planned sign program shall be submitted and approved for all
signing in the business center.
3. Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant shall file
11.0 ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
1. Approve Limited Sign Permit 87-3, but limit the permitted time
period for extension of use to less than two years, with
findings and conditions of approval.
Staff Report - 7/21/87 (8619d)
v . -
2. Deny Limited Sign Permit 87-3 with findings and require
immediate conformance with Article 961 of the Ordinance Code.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Area map
2. Site plan
MA:CMO:kla
Staff Report - 7/21/87 -6-
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