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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1562 . . . RESOLUTION NO. 1562 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, CONDITIONALLY APPROVING MODIFICA nON NO. MC 98-007 TO ADD ANIMATION TO THE TWO ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARDS AT THE SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK WHEREAS, Arcadia Municipal Code Section 9292.1.2 provides for modifications with regard to any City sign regulations; and WHEREAS, withouta.modification, animated type signs are not permitted; and WHEREAS, on January 7, 1998 a Modification application was filed by the Los Angeles Turf Club (MC 98-007); and WHEREAS, Applicant has requested the addition of "animation" to two (2) electronic . sign boards at the entry to Gate #8 on Baldwin Avenue, and in the landscaped area at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place leading to Gate #5; and WHEREAS, the Modification Committee did not approve "animation"; and WHEREAS, on February 10, 1998 the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing concerning the requested application at which time all interested parties were given full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence; and WHEREAS, pursuant to that hearing the Commission considered as part of the record the staff report, both written and verbal, testimony and other. submitted written materials; and WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the public hearing the Commission deliberated and made its decision. The Commission directed staff to prepare a Resolution reflecting their . 1 . . . decision including Conditions and Findings. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That Modification No. MC 98-007 is approved pursuant to the following findings and subject to the conditions set forth below. SECTION 2. FINDINGS: a. The modification will secure an appropriate improvement for the lot because the referred to Santa Anita Race Track property is a unique property and land use separate and distinct from any other land use in the City with particular needs and functions that warrant sign usage as sought by the modification. This uniqueness warrants the method of . commurtication and advertising sought by Applicant, subject to the conditions set forth below. b. The size, use, needs and function of Santa Anita Race Track in the community of Arcadia and in relation to Southern California creates a situation that is unique to this particular commercial use and is not intended to set a precedent or bind the Commission, or any other entity of the City with regard to animated signs in any zone of the City. SECTION 3. CONDITIONS. a. The signs that are subject to this Modification shall not flash or blink. b. The intensity of the lighting (brightness) with regard to subject signs shall not be increased. It shall remain or be less than the "intensity" as of the date of the public . 2 . . hearing. c. The allowance of this modification is subject to review by the Planning Commission within ninety (90) days ofthe date of this Re~olution. This Modification shall be scheduled for a public hearing within that time period at which time it is subject to suspension, revocation, the revision of conditions, or additional action as deemed necessary by the Planning Commission. d. Approval of MC 98-007 shall not take effect until the property owner and Applicant have executed and filed the Acceptance Form available from the Development Services Department to indicate acceptance of the conditions of approval. e. Noncompliance with the provisions and conditions of MC 98-007 shall be . grounds for immediate suspension or revocation of any approvals which will result in the . . prohibition of animation being displayed on the message boards. SECTION 4. The decision, findings and conditions of approval contained in this Resolution reflect the Plarming Commission's action of February 10 1998 by the following vote: A YES: Commissioners Bell, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter and Murphy NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Bruckner SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and shall cause a copy to be forwarded to the City Council of the City of Arcadia. 3 . . . . . I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 1562 was adopted at a regular meeting of the Plarming Commission held on March 10, 1998 by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Murphy NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Huang ABSTAIN: None Chairman, PI City of Arcadia ission .' AITEST: ~~ ~ecretary, Planning Ission City of Arcadia APPROVED AS TO FORM: ?r}~ U m~ Michael H. Miller City Attorney 4 . . STAFF REPORT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT February 10, 1998 Chairman and Members of the Arcadia City Planning Commission Donna Butler, Community Development Admimstrator By: James M. Kasama, Associate Planner SUBJECT: Modification No. MC 98-007 Animation of electronic reader. boards at Santa Anita Race Track TO: FROM: SUMMARY This application was submitted by the Los Angeles Turf Club for a Modification to add animation to the two electronic reader boards that were recently installed at the Santa Anita Race Track. The Development Services Department is recommending denial of the request. . GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICANT: Mr. Tom Austin for the Los Angeles Turf Club . REQUEST: To add. animation to two electronic reader boards (9262.4.3.C) LOCATIONS: Entry to Gate #8 on Baldwin Avenue, and th,e landscaped area at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place leading to Gate #5. GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: Horse Racing ZONING DESIGNATIONS: The landscaped area at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place is zoned Sol. The area at the entry to Gate #8 on Baldwin A venue is zoned R-l. SURROUNDING LAND USES & ZONING: . At the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place: North: Hotel and office building -- zoning is C-2 South: Hotel -- zoning is C-2 East: Huntington Drive West: Parking area for the Race Track -- zoning is Sol At the entry to Gate #8 on Baldwin Avenue: North: Paddocks area of the Race Track-- zoning is R-I South: Parking area for the Santa Anita Fashion Park -- zoning is C-2 East: Paddocks area of the Race Track -- zoning is R-1 West: Parking lot for the Arboretum - zoning is S-2 . . . BACKGROUND The property occupied by the Santa Anita Race Track has two zoning designations. Most of the race track property is zoned Sol (Special Use). The northerly and westerly perimeter areas are zoned R-I (Single Family Residential). The sign at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place is in the S-I zone. The sign at the entry to Gate #8 is in an R-l zone. The Sol zone does not include any sign standards. The R-l zone only allows identification signs such as address numbers, and temporary signs such as "For Sale" signs and election signs. However, Section 9292.1.2 of the Arcadia Municipal Code gives the Modification Committee authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny Modifications for sign regulations in any zone. For comparison purposes, the City's commercial sign regulations permit the following for free-standing signs: . No more than two (2) free-standing signs on a lot provided the two (2) signs are at least two-hundred (200) feet apart. . A maximum total area of 350 sq. ft. (including both faces) for all free-standing signs on any lot with 350 feet or more of street frontage. . In addition, the sign regulations also state: I. No sign shall have blinking or flashing lights or lighting which changes periodically or gives the appearance of movement; 2. No sign. shall create undue glare; and 3. Moving signs or signs with any moving parts are prohibited. Exception: Time and temperature signs and other public service signs may produce a changing message with lights. The two recently installed electronic sign boards were approved by the Modification Committee (MC 97-053) on December 9,1997. The Findings of that hearing are attached. Original Modification Request -- MC 97-053 . In November, Federal Sign, on behalf of the Los Angeles Turf Club, inquired about the approval process for new electronic signs at Santa Anita Race Track. Since there are no directly applicable regulations, Federal Sign was informed that the City's commercial sign regulations would apply, and that a Modification would be necessary because of the size, and for the electronic reader boards. MC 98-007 February 10, 1998 Page 2 . . . . . The Modification request was for, "two free-standing signs totaling 570.26 sq. ft. with reader boards." It was explained in the application that, "We are replacing existing signs with new up-to-date reader board signs." A letter from Mr. Austin explaining the applicant's reasons for the request is attached. At the December 9, 1997, Modification Committee hearing, the proposal was presented by staff as two electronic reader boards in place of the two existing manual reader boards. The applicant stated at the hearing, that the Los Angeles Turf Club had decided to install one of the signs at an alternate location: At the apex of the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place (rather than at the location of the existing manual reader board) because that location would provide more visibility. The Committee discussed if there might be any potential traffic impacts related to the location of the sign on Huntington Drive. It was determined that because of the directions of travel on Huntington Drive and Colorado Place, and the design of the reader board, there would not be any significant adverse impacts upon vehicular visibility. In response to questions by the Committee, the applicant stated that the messages would change electronically, and when specifically asked if the signs would be animated, the applicant answered, "No." The new signs are designed to be compatible with the Grandstand colors and consistent with the colors of the old reader boards. The exception is that the background of the new signs is black for the electronic messages, rather than off-white for the black letters. When initially installed, the signs were operated with animation and flashing lights, and at a relatively high level of illumination. Mr. Austin was immediately contacted about the unacceptability of the situation, and the animation and flashing lights were eliminated, and the illumination level was reduced by 40%. In addition, landscaping has been added around the base of the sign on Huntington Drive. PROPOSAL AND ANALYSIS The proposal is to add animation to the two electronic sign boards that were recently installed at the Santa Anita Race Track. The signs are located at the entry to Gate #8 on Baldwin Avenue, and in the landscaped area at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place leading to Gate #5. The applicant has stated that it is not possible to anticipate all the types of animated displays that could be used, but for example they would have galloping horses, rotating borders around certain messages, and messages that would move across the display area in an animated manner, such as a banner being carried by horses. MC 98-007 February 10, 1998 Page 3 . . . . . This Modification request was referred to several City departments for their input. The Police Department and Engineering Division responded with concerns about the animation and illumination, especially with the animation and illumination that was initially displayed when the signs were first installed. A major concern is that the signs may be a distraction to drivers, and could be in violation of California Vehicle Code (Section 21466) which prohibits displays that would prevent a driver from readily recognizing an official traffic control device. The sign at the landscaped area at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Colorado Place leading to Gate #5 raises more traffic concerns than the sign at the entry to Gate #8. It was noted that there have been no traffic accidents at the locations of the signs attributable to the new reader boards, and that the signs in their current mode of operation are acceptable. The Code allows for auxiliary signs to provide time and temperature, and public service information, and there are a few electronic time and temperature signs in the City. Manual reader boards have been utilized by many businesses and other uses for many years. The first electronic reader board in the City was installed at the High School entrance near Duarte Road and El Monte Avenue. However,. the addition of animation to the two reader boards at the Race Track, would be a "First" in the City, and while Santa Anita Race Track is a unique land use in the City, it is not the only land use that might want an animated sign. CONCLUSION Because Santa Anita Race Track-is a unique land use in the City, there is not the concern that these reader boards, with or without animation, set a precedent. However, given the concerns expressed by the Police Department and the Engineering Division, animation should not be added to the two electronic reader boards. RECOMMENDATION The Development Services Department recommends denial of MC 98-007: A Modification request to add animation to two electronic reader boards. FINDINGS & ACTIONS Section 9292.1.A. of the Arcadia Municipal Code permits the approval of certain modification requests for the following purposes: MC 98-007 February 10, 1998 Page 4 . . . . . . The requested modification will secure an appropriate improvement ofa lot; . The requested modification will prevent unreasonable (non-economic) hardship; or . The requested modification will promote uniformity of development. Approval If the Planning Commission intends to approve this Modification application, the Commission should move to approve, specifying which of the above finding(s) support the decision, and state any conditions of approval. Denial If the Planning Commission intends to deny this Modification application, the Commission should move for denial, and specify whichfinding(s) lire not satisfied by the requested Modification. If any Planning Commissioner, or other interested party has any questions or comments regarding this matter prior to the February lOth public hearing, please contact Associate Planner, Jim Kasama at (626) 574-5445. Approved by: onna 1. Butler Community Development Administrator Attachments: Plans Zoning & Vicinity Map MC 97-053 Findings Letter from Mr. Austin MC 98-007 February 10, 1998 Page 5 :'.-:. , _.., \ .~:' .~.... ,'''c.- ,;.~:~: ::!~/'<"~;:{tJ>}. .' t :.: :~:", . . ~ . -... f0"-rt ., .~ .... ~~'b. .1 ,~ "': '. Y;'~ ,.~ . . . .-~ ".r" . ~:L' .' )~:. " '. ;;.. '~{;:.' . '--.~- " , ',.:';, .~:' '."~" "'t":." '-, \. t ;~;-~: ';.'{: ;.;.t . '.~ i", 25.1Y.1"* 15".....11: . 7f~ &uMINUMCHANNa LEnus.S- DEEP RETURNS & llo'a5 Pill'" -"" DUNN.EVWAJtOS 'GiWlOS1"ANO I 6WE". l'YOl:'I. A6PlEXfACE5W/OOMCW~- ERS f'tI'ro TIM RETU~5. lNi IliUM BY WHIlE NEON r lUelNG 15MMJ30tM. tI/&-- !l"' 1:!"-4' 10'.2" I Pm El<P06~O rOlES IN IMCl TIM LT 5lUE-GREEN CAlIINEf POtE COiEI( (GATE&) E>>51lNG 8- 510 f'lPE SLEEVED INTO UT 5TD f'U'E (GATE") sosr 8- S10 Plt'E AU. 1}fE WAY 10" Y .~~~#~: f:~.....~t ,t ,. ~ _ 1\ 1:~_~:.?? !:"L~f..:;,. ," ':""h> .~ ':f~~~ , , . , \1'.6"0-" EXISt: PIPES ALUM OECOR WJ9AnN flN15H TO MATCH OUNN-EOWAA05 "GRANOSTAND ewE"' 5'-\1" tGATE 5) 6.\1' (GAlE&) ALUM POlE COVERS, 6A'ON LT 6LUE-GREEN' FINISH MJ PER TOP CA51t4ET. - ;.~< ;(~;., . :~~~~l l.l';'.~ _.~ , ;~:.~tl i:4~: ~~l y} l;/~ :J~' :~ ALUMINUM CA5INElWI.125 FACE.l151.UE. GREEN 5^'TlN FlNtsH TIM DUNN-EC\YARD5 . 'JOHN HENltl'GREEH". ROUT FACE FOR 2" STRIfES W/1Nf IlWM Mlltl' 2146 PLEX SHOW-1HIW. NQTE, fACE to BE REMOVA&LE. 4& X 112 RG6W 256 COlOR ElIiClXONIC ME55AGE CENTER WI &N. XENON LAMP5 ON 2.4' CENTERS. COPY 5JZe.1T. 21' & 24' MONOCHROME ANO "". COLOR. ALUMINUM DECOR WI U' fH.UE-GREEN flN15H AS PER TOP CAlIINET. .. ~ 24--1- ILLUMINATED SIF FREE-STANDING DISPLAYS WI COLOR EMC'S ON EXISTING STL POLE SUPPORTS (2 REO'D) . ::~. .,. . 3/8" ~ 1'-0- ~.::':~.:=:==:::i~"'=~~:: sOIM>_~wlII-a4_pemU~(Il'"".69'- qSl FEDERAL Illii!l1 SIGN -..---- ",.m """'" """ 1lOO:U(f1W'. r R_li"lr~G .alI'In..E PEYISlON$- Ii!:I-lTr ~T'YlF. & COlD1t.<; (U.!l)..9T1 o.v& JJ:Z:l:!lL ",..rAnl" rA G,~)Ja:ls:v.;rnli:: 0ES1GI1Nl). Q7.~:i.'1 SHEET..L- OF-1-- ........ tlESIl>>IEl'I G.SGrt. . . . PARKING SUMMARY: EXISTING lRACK PARKING PATRQ\1 PARIQNG HalSDIAH p_ m Gl.1E 7 980 a.ocmrs alllNIll 57 S[A IllSCUlT 62 lllTAl 19,947 , EKN E1,ji..... .1 PIonnenlI &.neyoro . ___ClOM;,IUl!!Ml.~IEoIOf.Co\_ (nCl_N~ DAlEo 05 / 12 / 1997 . . ~ .- :r;- -;;"v - -' \.. -' . .. ""'- -I- /1 y !; '--v,rr- FREEWAY 'Q"~ -. If. CO,-O.AOO " t . . . . . c. . . .''-'- '.1' . . . . 0"0 aD. . ." . . .-...,:: . . . . . . . . . J. . . . '- ' I ....., . . . . . . '. . . . . . .' . "1P . R~oan \ .........R.OaD.....~... 4,.:/, . .... . . . . . . . . . ( .. .... '-' . -, . . . . . .... . 'on . . '." l ~,....". >.;.0-0_. \\. . . ./ . . . . . . . . . . .'.~" .\ \....m:.... J . ',' .R.OUiD.........i\~........::-~..::... ~ '. '. .'. . . . . . . ",' . ~.. . . ...~,,~~.. ... . '--. -' -; '.--: ';'.' /. . . . . . )G ,l....-- . 'R40 80 . . . ~ /R-O . c .............- . . . . .........--- . ~.. .-:J!"'"'". .., . . . . . . . . ~- '----'" -........ ,IIJ!'r "'1 '.! . ',I . I ,-2 0.0 .. ..~ ..~ '> ) H ~~O ':J' ~ uo . \l ~ (,0 ..\l. ~~ 'bo ~ ., R-I A'I ,1:-1 A-I s., s-' .., s., s., w > . ...... \l~ (,0 s., 0-' .., D. J.L. ZONING & VICINITY MAP :2J -~,. /.' .~ ./....'11.10 ,,' // \. ,.~. 'J ,'t 'to </-(, 't f .:~ .1J.:: ..' fiZJ -' 0 .:, DO 5" ,'" ~ . . MC 98-007 Los Angeles Turf Club t NORTH No Scale '" . . .. l~. I. :~.7' '. FINDINGS ARCADIA CITY MODIFICATION COMMITTEE 7:45 a.m., Tuesday, December 9, 1997 CONFERENCE ROOM PUBLIC HEARING MC 97-053 Address: 285 W. Huntington Dr. (Santa Anita Park racetrack) Applicant: LATC (applicant) Request: A free-standing sign with reader boards (Sec. 9262.4.6.). FINDINGS The applicant/representatives from LATC were in attendance to answer questions at the Public Hearing. The two proposed rectangular-shaped free-standing signs at the Santa Anita Park racetrack for Gate 5 (south-easterly end at Huntington Dr. & Holly Ave.) and Gate 6 (north-westerly end at Baldwin Ave.) would be approximately 23'-1Y:." wide by 2l'-4W' high, above a 13'-5" wide by 6' - n" high base (12" shorter at Gate 5). The applicant stated that the intent is to bring the signage into "the 90's" by replacing the old reader board advertising at the above described gate entrance/exits. The proposed signs would be (approximately) the same scale as the existing. ~ The Committee feels that the proposed height should not affect any vehicular visibility when considering the "see through" ability underneath the signs. In addition, the design would be compatible with the existing area (*the proposed design and color scheme - Sign Architectural Design Review - shall be approved an/or revised separately from the Modification Committee's review). No surrounding businesses or property owners were in attendance to speak out in opposition to the 'request. Therefore, based upon the findings, the Committee feels that the proposed free-standing signs would secure an appropriate improvement. . ACTION . Approved. There is a five (5) working day appeal period for this application. You will be notified ifan appeal is filed. . . . '-. ~. '.. , Building permits cannot be obtained until Wednesday, December 17, 1997. Please contact Building Services at (626) 574-5416 to determine the number of building plans required for plan checkand proper permits to be obtained before beginning construction. Upon submittal of the required plans for plan check, please provide the corresponding Modification number (MC 97-053) on the site plan and/or detail plan sheets, indicating committee approval of the request. Submitted plans shall substantially comply with those approved by the Modification Committee. Any alteration made to said plans shall be subject. to the review and approval of the Community Development Division. * Any modification granted by this application must be used within 12 months (December 9, 1998) or this application shall become null and void. PLANNING COMMISSIONER: COMMITIEE MEMBERS PRESENT: PLANNING DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE: Kalemkiarian KelIeher and Kasama Stokes ~ ,:'::~ ~'. ,,~:.,~: -.,~,' ,,::.=-' ~-" 7 " .: ~ ,- -, ~. T I--;<.----:;~:' ./;'T~~..,.~ -'.: ~~.~ J"\<:rr;.".:::., ": -' . ,,','-I:_~',.':. -l~'. ~: '-, ~ .H. "'_," . ,t, . . .: '" - .:",' :~;> "T.:. . . . I~;;-.' 'Y!' IC. @) RECEIVED CI1Y Or ARCADIA Santa Anita Enterprises, Inc. FES 0 2 199B T. D. Austin Vice President TO FEB 0 4 1998 COUNCIL CITY MAl-~AGER t1J.~ ~~~ ~ ~ fIluuip January 29, 1998 ilH!C;;:fV~j) Mr. Bill Kelly, City Manager City of Arcadia 240 W. Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91066-6021 FEB 0 ~. 1998 C~~~~~~;:b~~~: ~.:~: ~~~';~';: Dear Bill: Given our conversations ofIate concerning the replacement signs, I thought it beneficial to share with you the events which led to that decision. As you are aware, overall on-site attendance during Jive racing meets has qeclined over the years and has, only recently, leveled off. We accepted the challenge of increasing, or at least leveling out, attendance so as to create more consistent racing days. To that end, we recently spent $15 million to refresh our facility and make it more appealing to the public. Extensive marketing research during the last 18 months revealed much information, such as our rate of success connecting with our customers through our current visual media. Signage is an important part of that communication and therefore must be visible and able to deliver a concise message. The signage along Colorado Place, installed approximately 35 years ago, was substantially set back from the street and barely noticeable. The signage on Baldwin Avenue sets at an angle and is visible to northbound traffic or southbound left turns onto the property at gate eight. Both previous signs were obsolete, very laborintensive to change messages, and werenon-illurninated (except for overhead billboard style lighting). It became clear that replacement signage would be required at locations that would be readily visible to the public, be cost efficient, and capable of delivering multiple concise messages, Accordingly, units of the same size were selected to replace the existing signage. The same encasement colors, lettering style, and height were maintained. Illumination within the sign and lhe capability to produce unimated messages \\"as added. 28S'W. Huntington Drive' Arcadia. CA 91007-3439 Tdephone:(626) ;74-6660 . Fax: (626) 821-1;13 .....;~~..,...',...",' ,:~,:~_,",I~-:,",-~.\'''-;~'--~~'~ ,,:,'" _.',1.' ;"....._.<,..~~..'...'f:.. - -, . @) f'-' ..... -:-, . Mr. Bill Kelly January 29, 1998 Page 2 . The replacement signage wiIl be utilized to announce: . regular track events and dates .. 0 recognized front-runner thoroughbreds . handle carryover . directionals for traffic/gate parking . special events at the track The previous and replacement signage is located within S-lspecial use zoning. Although Arcadia Municipal Code makes no mention of any sign requirements in this zone, as a courtesy, Santa Anita filed sign modification documents and received approval to replace the previous signs with the units currently installed. . You may recall that subsequent to the sign replacements I received calls from you and Corky Nicholson requesting we not display animation, flashing or blinking messages, and reduce the lighting levels. We complied with all City requests and added additional landscaping at the sign base perimeter. We have applied for and been granted a hearing on February 10, 1998, before the Planning Commission to consider use of animation on the signs. Given the unique use and size of Santa Anita Park and the absence. of specific sign requirements, favorable consideration should be given to this matter. Sincerely, 0/~;J~' . Doc. No. 000161