PC RES 2009-030 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 20 -
RESOLUTION THE PLANNING COMMISSION THE
CITY OF RANCHOPALOS VERDES CONDITIONALLY
APPROVING A REVISION TO THE WESTMONT PLAZA
MASTER SIGNR RA , (PLANNING ASE
. 2008-00637) TO RELOCATEA MONUMENT SIGN
FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF THE NORTH DRIVEWAY T
THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE NORTH DRIVEWAY AND T
INCREASE THE SIZE OF SAID SIGN TO 1 V-099 TALL AND
9®099
AVENUE.gg WIDE, LOCATED T 3 - 2WESTERN
!mob .
WHEREAS, on February 13, 1992, the Planning Commission approved a Master
Sign Program for the Westmont Plaza shopping center to be used as a guideline in
approving future tenant signage and the design of two monument signs located at the north
driveway and south driveway; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2007, the Planning Commission denied,without prejudice,
a sign permit application (Case No. ZON2006-00069) for a 16'-0"tall monument sign due
to concerns with the overall height of the monument sign; and
WHEREAS, on December 10, 2008, the applicant, Tridiamond LLC, submitted an
application for Planning Case No. ZON2008-00637 to revise the Master Sign Program for
the Westmont Plaza development to relocate the approved location of Monument Sign A
from the north side of the north driveway to the south side of the north driveway and to
increase the size of said sign to 11'-0" tall and 9'-0" wide; and
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2009, the application for Planning Case
No. ZON2008-00637 was deemed incomplete due missing information; and,
WHEREAS, upon submittal of the required information,the application was deemed
complete for processing on May 26, 2009; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Section s21000 et. Seq.(CEQA), the State's CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Section 1500 et. Seq., the City's Local CEQA
Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances
Statement), Staff found no evidence that Case No. ZON2008-00637 would have a
significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has been found
to be categorically exempt under Class 11 (Accessory Structures) since the poroject
involves an on-premise sign; and
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly-noticed public hearing
on July 14, 2009, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard
and present evidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES HEREBY FIND,
DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
action l: The Planning Commission finds that the proposed sign and its revised
location within the Westmont Plaza Master Sign Program is necessary for the Applicant's
enjoyment of substantial trade and property right and does not constitute repetition or
proliferation of signage in the area as there are no other tenant identification signs along
the roadway.
Section 2: The Planning Commission finds that the sign and revision to the
approved Westmont Plaza Sign Program is consistent with the intent and purpose of Code
Section 17.76.050 as the sign has been designed and sited to identify the smaller tenants
of the property while producing a monument sign that is consistent with other monument
signs found within the City; and
Section 3: The Planning Commission finds that the sign does not constitute a
detriment to public health, safety and welfare as the sign design and location has been
reviewed by the City's Traffic Consultant and will be required to be reviewed, inspected and
approved by the City's Building and Safety Division; and
Section 4: The Planning Commission finds that the size, shape, color and
placement of the sign is compatible and harmonious with the tenant signage throughout
the shopping center and the revised location of the monument sign, at the south end of the
north driveway, maintains the intent and general location for a monument sign on the
property; and
Section5: The Planning Commission finds that the revised location and design of
the proposed monument sign, including its visual elements such as lettering, colors,
decorative motifs, spacing and proportions, will result in a sign that is more visible to
travelers along Western Ave. and will be legible under normal viewing conditions; and
Section 6: The Planning Commission finds that the location of the proposed sign
is compatible with the signage of the existing tenants and the proposed sign is situated
away from the existing tenants and is not expected to obscure from view or unduly detract
from existing adjacent signs; and
Section7: The Planning Commission finds that the location, design, shape, size
and color of the proposed monument sign will enhance the presence of the existing
tenants, is consistent with other signs along Western Ave., the sign serves the purpose of
identifying the establishments within the large commercial development while maintaining
P.C. Resolution No. 2009-30
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the color scheme that is consistent with the existing development and will not detract from
or cause depreciation of the value of adjacent developed properties; and
Section 8: The Planning Commission finds that the location and design of the
sign will not adversely affect the value and character of the adjacent residential district as
monument signs can be found along Western Ave. in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and
the residential district that faces the Westmont Plaza development is more than 140 feet
across Western Ave, a major thoroughfare; and
Section 4: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council. Pursuant to Sections 17.02.040(C)(1)(g) of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, any such appeal must be filed with the City, in
writing, setting forth the grounds of the appeal and any specific actions requested by the
appellant, and accompanied by the appropriate appeal fee, no later than fifteen (15) days
following July 14, 2009, the date of the Planning Commission's final action.
Section 5: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings
included in the Staff Report, Minutes and other records of proceedings, the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby conditionally approves a Revision
to the Westmont Plaza Master Sign Program (Planning Case No. ZON2008-00637) to
construct an 11'-0" tall monument sign (Monument Sign A) along the south side of the
north driveway, located within the Westmont Plaza Shopping Center at 28350 — 28500
Western Avenue, subject to the conditions of approval in the attached Exhibit 'A'.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 14 th day of July 2009, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Knight, Perestam, Ruttenberg, Tetrault, Tomblin_,
Vice Chairman Gerstner and Chairman Lewis
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: Rohe
ABSENT: None
e effLW
Chairem rey LeW1911,
alf
Joe S, AICD
Director of Planning, Building
and Code Enforcement; and,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 2009-30
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EXHIBIT 'A'
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
PLANNING CASE NO. ZON2008-00637
(Tridiamond LLC, 28350 — 28500 Western Ave.)
General Conditions:
I Priorto the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the applicant and
the property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they have
read, understand and agree to all conditions of approval listed below. Failure to
provide said written statement within ninety (90) days following the date of this
approval shall render this approval null and void.
2. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the applicant
shall obtain an encroachment permit from the Director of Public Works for any curb
cuts, dumpsters in the street or any other temporary or permanent improvements
within the public rights-of-way.
3. Approval of this permit shall not be construed as a waiver of applicable and
appropriate zoning regulations, or any Federal, State, County and/or City laws and
regulations. Unless otherwise expressly specified, all other requirements of the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code shall apply.
4. The project development on the site shall conform to the specific standards
contained in these conditions of approval or, if not addressed herein, shall conform
to the residential development standards of the City's Municipal Code, including but
not limited to height, setback and lot coverage standards.
5. Failure to comply with and adhere to all of these conditions of approval may be
cause to revoke the approval of the project pursuant to the revocation procedures
contained in Section 17.86.060 of the City's Municipal Code.
6. If the applicant has not submitted an application for a building permit for the
approved project or not commenced the approved project as described in Section
17.86.070 of the City's Municipal Code within one year of the final effective date of
the Notice of Decision, approval of the project shall expire and be of no further
effect unless, prior to expiration, a written request for extension is filed with the
Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement and approved by the
Director.
7. In the event that any of these conditions conflict with the recommendations and/or
requirements of another permitting agency or City department, the stricter standard
shall apply.
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8. Unless otherwise designated in these conditions, all construction shall be completed
in substantial conformance with the plans stamped APPROVED by the City with the
effective date of the Notice of Decision.
9. The construction site and adjacent public and private properties and streets shall be
kept free of all loose materials resembling trash and debris in excess of that
material used for immediate construction purposes. Such excess material may
include, but not be limited to: the accumulation of debris, garbage, lumber, scrap
metal, concrete asphalt, piles of earth, salvage materials, abandoned or discarded
furniture, appliances or other household fixtures.
10. Permitted hours and days for construction activity are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday
through Saturday, with no construction activity permitted on Sundays or on the legal
holidays specified in Section 17.96.920 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development
Code. Trucks shall not park, queue and/or idle at the project site or in the adjoining
public rights-of-way before 7:00 AM, Monday through Saturday, in accordance with
the permitted hours of construction stated in this condition.
11. Unless modified by the approval of future planning applications, the approved
monument sign (Monument Sign A) shall be setback 6-0" from the property line.
12. The approved monument sign (Monument Sign A) shall not exceed a maximum
height of 11'-0" and width of 9'-0".
13. In order to maintain vehicular visibility,the bottom of the monument sign (Monument
Sign A) shall be a 3'-6" above existing grade, with the exception of the two support
posts.
14. The existing "private property" sign located in the proximity of the approved
Monument Sign A for the Westmont Plaza Master Sign Program shall be removed
and relocated elsewhere on the property so as not to obstruct traffic visibility.
P.C. Resolution No. 2009-30
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