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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter City of Arcadia Development Services Department Jason Kruckeberg Assistant City Manager/ Development Services Director 240 West Huntington Drive Post Office Box 60021 Arcadia, CA 91066-6021 (626) 574-5415 (626) 447-3309 Fax www.ArcadiaCA.gov February 1, 2021 Chateau Group USA Attn: Jonathan Tseng 20 E. Foothill Boulevard, Suite 108 Arcadia, CA 91006 Subject: Sign Architectural Design Review No. SADR 21-01 & Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 21-01 Project Address: 130 W. Huntington Drive (Le Meridien Hotel) Dear Mr. Tseng: The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on January 28, 2021. Staff did not receive any comments during the notification period. The Development Services Department has conditionally approved the design concept plans for three (3) new wall signs, two (2) new monument signs, two (2) new directional signs, and two (2) new wall plate signs adjacent to the front entry of the Le Meridien Hotel at 130 W. Huntington Drive. The approval also includes an administrative modification to allow the following: • The total aggregate area of all the wall signs to exceed the maximum allowed by 20 square feet (maximum is 150 square feet); • The rear wall sign on the hotel tower may exceed the maximum area of 50% of all the wall signs by 9%; • Two monument signs in lieu of the one sign that is allowed , and to allow the monument sign off E. Huntington Drive to be setback 3’-5” from the rear property line and 3’-3” from the driveway in lieu of the required setback of 5’-0” from the property line and 10’-0” from the driveway; and, • Two directional signs will exceed the maximum permitted sign face area of 4 square feet (varies between 6 and10 square feet in area). According to Arcadia Development Code Section 9107.05.050, it states that an Administrative Modification may be approved if at least one of the following findings can be made. 1. Secure an appropriate improvement of a lot; 2. Prevent an unreasonable hardship; or 3. Promote uniformity of development. The Modification will secure an appropriate improvement of the lot. The 3.38 acre subject site is a corner lot bounded by eastbound and westbound Huntington Drive and is being developed with a six-story hotel. The modifications being requested will properly display the business name to the various directions of traffic within the vicinity of the subject site. Although the total aggregate area of the wall signs will exceed the maximum area allowed for this building, the modification is warranted to ensure the signs will be within scale to the size of the building. Approving the modification will ensure this happens aesthetically. Given that this property is one of the largest sites in the City, and the hotel will have two different driveways off Huntington Drive, having a monument sign at each entry is warranted due to the layout and site design. Additionally, none of the larger directional signs will have any potential impacts, as the increase in sign area is minimal. Therefore, the proposed signs, with the approval of the modifications are consistent with the City’s Architectural Sign Guidelines and they will be an appropriate improvement to the subject site. The proposed project qualifies as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption for the installation of new structures (the freestanding signs) within an existing facility under the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. Conditions of Approval 1. “Pasadena” shall be removed from the two (2) wall plate signs adjacent to the front entry. 2. The actual sign colors, materials, and location shall be consistent with the colors, materials, and location shown on the design concept plan and elevation. 3. Any damage and/or discoloration that results from the installation of the new sign or removal of an existing sign shall be repaired and/or repainted so that the damage and/or discoloration is not noticeable from the surrounding pedestrian and vehicular access ways. There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Development Services Department with a $600.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2021. You will be notified if an appeal is filed. Approval of SADR 21-01 and Major AM 21-01 shall not be of effect unless the property owner and applicant have executed and filed the enclosed Acceptance Form to indicate awareness and acceptance of these conditions of approval. The Acceptance Form is due now and if it is not received by March 3, 2021 this approval will become null and void. A building permit must be obtained prior to any installation of a sign(s). Please contact Building Services at (626) 574-5416 to determine the type of documentation, plans, and fees for the appropriate permit. Once the appeal period has passed, this approval letter and two additional sets of plans must be presented to Building Services to initiate the permitting process. This approval shall expire in one year (February 12, 2022) from the effective date unless a permit from Building Services is issued for plan-check, and construction is diligently pursued, or the approval is renewed. The final plans must be consistent with the approved design concept plans and any conditions of approval. Any inconsistency from the approved design concept plans may prohibit the issuance of a building permit. If you have any questions regarding the above approval, please contact me at (626) 821-4334 or by email at earreola@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you. Sincerely, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Community Development Division/Planning Services Edwin Arreola Assistant Planner Enclosed c: SAICP, LLC, Property Owner Lisa Flores, Planning & Community Development Administrator Chandler Signs, Sign Contractor