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RESOLUTION NO. 843
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA RECOMMENDING
AMENDMENT OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO TEMPORARY WINDOW SIGNS AND
THE DEFINITION bF A SIGN.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission on its own motion held
a public ,hearing on January 8, 1974, to consider amending the
definition of a sign and the temporary window sign regulations of
the Arcadia Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, all interested persons were given full oppor-
tunity to be heard and to present evidence;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARCADIA RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
SECTION 1. That Section 9262.4.3.A.4 of the Arcadia
Municipal Code be amended to read as follows:
"4. Sign. A sign shall include any figure, character,
outline, delineation, announcement, declaration, demonstration,
illustration, emblem, words, numerals or letters or attention
attracting display or device painted, posted or affixed on any
surface used to attract attention to the premises or to advertise
or promote the interest of any person, activity, business or
enterprise when the same is placed so that it is clearly visible
to the general public from an out-of-doors position.
A sign shall not include the official flags of the United
States of America, the State of California. or the County of Los
Angeles, or official notices authorized by a court, public body
or public offices, directional, warning or information signs
.authorized by federal, state, county or municipal authority for
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~ public safety or the official emblem or insignia of a government
or public school."
SECTION 2. That Section 9262.4.8 of the Arcadia Municipal
Code be amended to read as follows:
"9262.4.8. WINDOW SIGNS.
A. Definition: A window sign is a sign painted,
posted or affixed on a window or glass portion of a door or within
a building for display through a window or glass portion of a door
or other building opening.
B. Size - Area: The total area of window signs in
anyone wall shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%,) of the
window area of that wall provided that the total area of directly
lighted window signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of said
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window area."
SECTION 3. The Planning Commission finds that the public
necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice
justify the above recommendations.
SECTION 4. 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.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was
adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the
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City of Arcadia held on the 22nd day of
the following vote:
January
, 1974, by
AYES: Conuni ss i oners Cl ark, C,oghl an, Perl is, Reiter, Huddy
NOES: Conunissioner Hegg
ABSENT: Commissioner Erickson
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Chairman
ATTEST:
!lJtlhrA11/~d ,
Secretary
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January 8, 1974
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: PLANNING DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: T.A. 74-1
DEFINITION OF SIGN AND TEMPORARY
WINDOW SIGN REGULATIONS
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From time to time signs bave been installed without
permits which are in violation of the City's sign regula-
tions. The individuals responsible for the illegal in-
stallation have contended that the City's code definition
of "sign" did not encompass their particular situation.
The City has been able to have such illegal installations
rectified so as to comply with code requirements. However,
this has usually been achieved with considerable diffi-
culty and large amounts of City staff time.
Periodically questions are raised regarding the use
of flags and religious emblems, as they are not expressly
addressed in the existing sign regul~tions.
The existing code definition of a sign is as follows:
"Sign. A sign is anything pJaced on a building or
building site for the purpose of advertising dr sales
promotion except a sign locatedinstde a building and
not used for display to the exterior. 'Sign' shall
include 'sign structur~' unless the context in which
it is us'ed indicates othe.rwise."
The Planning Department believes that the public
would be better served by a clearer code def~nition of
"~ign." A clearer definition would provide the public
with an understanding of the regulations which are appli-
cable, and facilitate the City's enforcement of the regu-
lations.
The Planning Department recommends that the definition
of "sign" be revised to read as follows:
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T .A. 74-1
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Section 9262.4.3.A.4.
"Sign. A sign shall include any figure, character,
outline, delineation, announcement,-declaration, demon-
stration, illustration, emblem, 'words jnumerals or
letters or attention attracting display or device
painted, posted or affixed on any 'surface used to
attract attention to.the premises or to advertise or
promote the interest of any person, activity, business
or enterprise when the ,same'is.placed so that it is
clearly visible to the general public"from an out-of-
doors position.
A sign shall not include the official 'flags of the
Uni ted States of America ,. the State' of- California, or
the County of Los Angeles, or official notices author-
ized by a court, public body or public offices, direc-
tional, warning, or information signs authorized by
federal, state, county or municipal authority for
public safety, or the official emblem or 'insignia of
a government or public school."
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There have been abuses of the s.ign regulations rela-
tive to window signs. Under normal circumstances a maximum
atea of 25 percent of the area of a window is allowed to
be used for a window sign. However, the pre&ent code allows
for exceptions, and reads as follows:
",Exception. Temporary 'window signs which are in
excess of the above limits shall be permitted to ad-
vertise special events, provided a business shall not
use such temporary window signs for'more than thirty
cumulative days per year.."
Because no sign permits are required'for window signs,
no record as to the' dura tion of' a temporary"window sign or
the cumulative number of days is on ,record. 'Thus, there
can be little or no actual enforcement of the..time limit
regulation.
A method for keeping a' record..of over-area "temporary
window signs should be established in "order to make the
existing regulations effective and enforceable.
The Planning Department recommends that S.ection 9262.4.
8. Window Signs, be revised't~read-as follows:
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T.A. 74-1
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"A. Definition: A window sign ,is a sign painted,
posted or affixed on a window or glass portion of a
door, or within a building for display through a
window, or glass portion of a door'or other building
opening.
B. Size - Area: The total area of window signs in
any onewall,&hall npt,exceed,twenty~five percent of
the window area,of,that wall:provided that the total
area of directly lighted window signs shall not ex-
ceed ten percent of said window area.
EXCEPTION: Temporary window"signs which are in ex-
cess of the above limits shall~be ~ermitted.to adver-
tise special events, provided a bu~iness shall not
use such temporary window signs'for more than thirty
cumulative days in ,any ,one calendar year. ' A,sign ,
permit shan be obtained .from'the Building'Department
prior to the painting, posting or affixing.
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Before issuing a sign permit, for 'a' temporary window
sign which is in excess of the ,limits outlined in
'B' of the above, the City shall charge and conect
a fee in accordance with the applicable fee schedule
adopted by resolution of the City Council."
The Planning Department does not recol)lll1end that a
permit fee be established ,at ,this time. However, the lan-
guage which would permit the City Council to establish
s.uch a fee, if it finds ,it necessary to' do so, should be
included in the text amendment. '
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
WILLIAM WOOLARD
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING
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