HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 1 - 512 W. Duarte Road1— —d
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STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
DATE: August 23, 2016
TO: Honorable Chairman and Modification Committee
FROM: Lisa Flores, Planning Services Manager
By: Jordan Chamberlin, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT: MODIFICATION NO. MC 16 -03 AND SIGN DESIGN REVIEW NO. SADR
16 -07 WITH A CLASS 3 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) TO REPLACE
THE EXISTING MONUMENT SIGN WITH A NEW DOUBLE -SIDED
MONUMENT SIGN WITH LED MESSAGE BOARDS ON A MULTI-
FAMILY (R -3) ZONED PROPERTY AT 512 W. DUARTE ROAD
Recommendation: Conditional Approval
BACKGROUND
The subject property is a 2.54 acre interior lot, zoned R -3 (High- Density Multiple Family
Residential). It is developed with a multi -story church, built in 1919, which is currently
occupied by the Our Savior Lutheran Church — refer to Attachment No. 1 - Aerial photo,
and photos of the subject property, and neighboring properties. It is common throughout
the City for churches to be located on a residentially zoned property as they were
permitted with a Conditional Use Permit or Variance. The properties to the north and
east are also zoned Multi - Family Residential (R -3). The properties to the south are
zoned R -1 (Single Family Residential) and the property to the west is zoned C -2
(General Commercial).
Photo of existing sign
Currently, the site has one, non - illuminated,
5-10" high by 8' -0" wide double sided
monument sign (refer to the image to the left).
The sign was approved in 1993 through a
modification to allow the sign to be within 100'-
0" of a residentially zoned property.
The R -3 zoning regulations do not address
signs for non - residential uses. In the absence
of any sign requirements for churches, the
City's commercial sign regulations are used as
MC 16 -03 & SADR 16 -07
August 23, 2016
Page 2 of 5
a guideline for review, and consideration of such proposals is handled through the
Modification process. This was the same process that was followed when the Arcadia
Masonic Center, Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, and the Church of the Good
Shepherd received approval for signs with LED message boards.
There is a special setback of 80' -0" along this portion of Duarte Road. An encroachment
into the special setback is typically handled administratively, but is included here
because the project is subject to the Modification Committee's review.
ANALYSIS
The proposal is to replace the existing sign with a new double -sided monument sign
that is 6' -0" in height by 7' -8" in width, with LED message boards encased in the sign.
The LED message board will be 2' -7" in height by 7' -1" in width on each side of the
monument sign. The proposed sign has a total sign area of 112 square feet, the same
as the existing sign, where a maximum 250 square feet of sign area is allowed.
The sign would be comprised of tan
colored stucco to match the existing
church building — see the proposed
plans (Attachment No. 2). White
colored molding frames the LED
message board and upper portion of
the sign. The main text and graphic on
the sign will be dark red, internally -
illuminated, with a half inch push -
through. The smaller text will be dark
red vinyl letters applied directly to the
sign. A 2' -0" wide landscaping area
will be planted around the base. The
design of the sign, as well as the
colors and materials, are consistent
with the existing Church building.
Rendering of the proposed sign
The LED message board will only display text, graphics, and background images that
are in full color. The messages will transition by fading from one message to the next
but no videos are proposed. The Church will not promote more than six (6) church
activities and /or messages each day and each message will change every thirty (30)
minutes. The LED message boards would only operate between the hours of 7:00 AM
to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. The brightness of the sign can also be adjusted based
on the time of day to reduce glare. This will lessen the impact to the multiple - family
residential uses because it will be more consistent with the existing monument sign. The
Church has also offered the City the use of the LED message board in emergency
situations as a way to communicate information to the residents.
MC 16 -03 & SADR 16 -07
August 23, 2016
Page 3 of 5
The proposed sign will be in the same location as the existing sign along Duarte Road.
The sign would be located within the dripline of an oak tree. Since the base of the
proposed sign will be slightly smaller than the existing base and it will be located in the
same location, it should not impact the oak tree. However, staff is recommending a
condition that a Certified Arborist shall be on site during the demolition of the existing
sign and the excavation for the foundation of the new sign to ensure the health of the
oak tree is maintained. The Arborist shall submit a follow -up report to the City that this
was completed prior to a foundation inspection by Building Services.
The proposed sign is setback 5' -9" from the front property line and 120' -0" to the west of
the church's driveway. There is a special setback of 80' -0" measured from the
centerline of the street along this portion of Duarte Road which results in a 38' -0" front
yard setback requirement. The proposed sign will encroach 32' -3" into the special
setback. The intent of the special setback is for future street widening and to promote a
consistent streetscape. The City Engineer has reviewed the proposal and has no
objections to the requested encroachment into the special setback as there are no plans
to widen this portion of Duarte Road. The City Engineer also reviewed the proposal in
regards to potential impacts to traffic and visibility and determined that the sign would
not create an impact.
With the recommended conditions of approval, the signs will be compatible with the
surrounding neighborhood and consistent with the City's Architectural Design
Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Signing.
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Section 9292.1.4 of the Arcadia Municipal Code states that the purpose of the
Modification procedures is for the following:
1. Secure an appropriate improvement of a lot;
2. Prevent an unreasonable hardship; or
3. Promote uniformity of development
It is increasingly common for institutional uses, such as churches, to have illuminated
signs with LED message boards. The proposed sign provides the same sign area as
the existing sign. The LED message board will only operate during certain hours of the
day and is dimmable. The sign will have minimum impact to the adjacent multiple - family
residences, streetscape, and will secure an appropriate improvement of the lot. With the
approval of the modifications for the monument sign with LED message boards, the
proposed sign meets all other zoning requirements.
MC 16 -03 & SADR 16 -07
August 23, 2016
Page 4 of 5
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed project qualifies as a Class 3 Categorical Exemption for an on premise
sign per the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
Section 15311(a) of the CEQA Guidelines.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public hearing notices were mailed on August 11, 2016, to the property owners within
100 feet of the subject site. As of August 18, 2016, staff has not received any public
comments for this project.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Modification Committee conditionally approve Modification
Application No. MC 16 -03 and Sign Architectural Design Review No. SADR 16 -07 and
find that the project is exempt per CEQA Sections 15311(a), subject to the following
conditions of approval:
1. One, double -sided monument signs with LED message boards shall be permitted
perpendicular to W. Duarte Road. The sign shall not exceed 6' -0" in height by 7'-
8" in width.
2. The digital displays on the LED message boards cannot change more frequently
than every thirty (30) minutes and may only be displayed between the hours of
7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, daily.
3. No videos, flashing blinking, or moving images, shall be permitted within a given
message. Simple transitions between messages are acceptable. Examples of
acceptable transitions would include, but not be limited to, fading out /in or sliding
in from a single direction. Examples of prohibited animations would include, but
not be limited to, spinning, bouncing, dissolving, or zooming animations.
4. A Certified Arborist shall be on site to monitor the demolition of the existing sign
and the excavation for the foundation of the sign new sign. A follow -up report
from the Certified Arborist shall be submitted to Planning Services prior to a
foundation inspection by Building Services.
5. The signs shall be operated and maintained in a manner that is consistent with
the proposal and plans submitted and approved for MC 16 -03 and SADR 16 -07
by the Modification Committee, and shall be subject to periodic inspections, after
which the provisions of this approval may be adjusted after due notice to address
any adverse impacts to the adjacent streets, rights -of -way, and /or the
neighboring uses and properties.
MC 16 -03 & SADR 16 -07
August 23, 2016
Page 5 of 5
6. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Arcadia and
its officials, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claim, action,
or proceeding against the City of Arcadia, its officials, officers, employees or
agents to attack, set aside, void, or annul any approval or conditional approval of
the City of Arcadia concerning this project and /or land use decision, including but
not limited to any approval or conditional approval of the City Council, Planning
Commission, Modification Committee, or City Staff, which action is brought within
the time period provided for in Government Code Section 66499.37 or other
provision of law applicable to this project or decision. The City shall promptly
notify the applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding concerning the project
and /or land use decision and the City shall cooperate fully in the defense of the
matter. The City reserves the right, at its own option, to choose its own attorney
to represent the City, its officials, officers, employees, and agents in the defense
of the matter.
7. Approval of MC 16 -03 and SADR 16 -07 shall not be of effect unless on or before
30 calendar days after approval of this project, the property owner /applicant has
executed and filed with the Community Development Administrator or designee
an Acceptance Form available from the Development Services Department to
indicate awareness and acceptance of these conditions of approval.
Approved.
C�ei
Lisa Flak
Pl.anning`-~ eR,Ices Manager
Attachment No. 1: Aerial Photo with Zoning Information & Photos of Subject Property
and Vicinity
Attachment No. 2: Architectural Plans
Attachment No. 3: Preliminary Exemption Assessment
Attachment No. 1
Aerial Photo with Zoning Information &
Photos of Subject Property and Vicinity
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Site Address: 512 W DUARTE RD
Property Owner(s): OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
General Plan:
Lot Area (acre):
Main Structure / Unit (sq. ft.):
Year Built:
Number of Units:
Parking Overlay: n/a
Downtown Overlay: n/a
Special Height Overlay: n/a
Architectural Design Overlay: n/a
Parcel location within City of Arcadia 'N
This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for Report generated 18- Aug -2016
reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, Page 1 of 1
or otherwise reliable.
Photo of the subject property, 512 W. Duarte Road (Our Savior Lutheran Church)
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SUNDAY WORSIW $dO A Ip:Ayp� SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15,m
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SUNDAY CONiEM >ORARY SERVICE: 6:0.5pm MO
ROGER R. SONNENBERG, PASTOR NDAY SERVICES: ): Dpm
vrq�"' f 8am, 10_458m, 7pm
�• SBBBAY SCHOOL / BIBLE CLASS 9:15am
UNMAN` {AIORtM 7pm
Photo of the existing sign at 512 W. Duarte Road
Photo of the property to the north, 509 W. Duarte Road
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Attachment No. 2
Architectural Plans
G & J Neon Signs Inc.
4483 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Tel (562) 472 -8899
Fax (323) 729 -3925
www.gjsigns.com
MONUMENT SIGN
MODIFICATION
Specifications for sign modification.
Contents
Project Overview
Aerial view
Floor Plan
Sign Specifications_
Sign (Simple looking)
Screen Specification _
Project Overview
LOCATION
Our Savior Lutheran Church is located at: 512 W Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91007 (Restricted Multiple - Family
Residential (R -3 -R))
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Modification for existing double sided illuminated sign (95.5" W, 70.25" H, 22" D) with a LED message
board (92.060" W, 72" H, 20" D) and 2 feet of landscaping matching the existing landscape all around the
monument sign (White calla lilies), the sign will remain perpendicular to the street. The sign would be
comprised of colored stucco for the body matching church color. The top part of the sign will be internally
illuminated with the recommended conditions of approval. The text and graphic in the top part will be
made of clear acrylic covered with vinyl (pantone 188C), but the pastor's name, it will be made out of vinyl
only (pantone 188C). The led screen, display size in FT. 2'- 7 3/8" X 7'- 4 1/16" (this includes bezel), living
area 2'- 4 3/8" X 7'- 11/16". The signs will be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood with the
City's Architectural Design Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Signing.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
The LED board will only display fixed or changing text that is in full color, graphics, and background images,
but no videos, the transition between messages will be by fading each other. The Church will not promote
more than six (6) church activities and /or messages each day and each message will change every Thirty
(30) minutes. The LED message board would only operate between the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM,
every day. The Church has also offered the City the use of the LED electronic board in emergency situations
as a way to communicate information to the residents. The messages will be changed via cloud ware by
logging in from almost any device (computer, cellphone or tablet. SM Infinity)
Jose A Gomez (Alex Gomez)
CEO
June 13, 2016
Page I
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