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
January 22, 2021
Swain Sign Inc.
Attn: Jessica Jimenez
1384 E. Fifth Avenue
Ontario CA 91767
Subject: Sign Architectural Design Review No. SADR 20-42 & Major
Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-20
Project Address: 140 E. Live Oak Avenue
Dear Ms. Jimenez:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on January
21, 2020. 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, one (1) window sign, the refacing of
one (1) existing monument sign, and the modification request to allow the new wall
signs to exceed the maximum permitted total aggregate area at 140 E. Live Oak
Avenue. The three (3) new wall signs will have a total area of 214 square feet,
whereas 150 square feet is the maximum permitted by the Development Code.
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 subject
site is improved with a one-story commercial building with exterior walls that front
E. Live Oak Avenue and the on-site parking lot. In order to properly display the
business name in a manner that is both visible to oncoming traffic and consistent
with the company’s brand, the total aggregate area of the new wall signs must be
214 square feet. The wall signs will not have any negative impacts to the adjacent
properties as the signs are replacing the previous tenant’s wall signs in similar
locations, which were larger in total aggregate area and did not pose any issues in
the past. While the wall signs will be over the total allowable sign area, they will
not appear out of proportion in relation to the wall planes they will be installed on ,
which are over 100 feet in length. The wall signs will also allow the business to
adequately identify the business name and products that are offered to their
customers, which is consistent with the company’s brand. Therefore, staff finds the
proposed wall signs consistent with the City’s Architectural Design Guidelines for
Signage.
The proposed project qualifies as a Class 5 Categorical Exemption for an on
premise sign for a minor alteration in land use limitations from the requirements of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15305 of the
CEQA Guidelines.
Conditions of Approval
1. The actual sign colors, materials, and location shall be consistent with the
colors, materials, and location shown on the design concept plan and
elevation.
2. 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 Monday, February 1, 2020. You will be notified if an
appeal is filed. City Hall will be closed on Friday, January 29, 2020.
Approval of SADR 20-42 and Major AM 20-20 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 February 22, 2020 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 2, 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) 574-5447 or by email at csong@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Christine Song
Associate Planner
Enclosed
c: Meeker Family Limited Partnership, Property Owner