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PC RES 2008-033 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2008-33 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION F PERMANENT, 32FT2 MONUMENT SIGN AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER F SILVER SPUR ROAD AND CROSSFIELD DRIVE (RPV FINANCIAL CENTER BUILDING), LOCATED AT 500 SILVER SPUR WHEREAS, on April 27, 1993, the Planning Commission approved Sign Permit No. 611, allowing a sign program in the RPV Financial Center. WHEREAS, on March 26, 2008, the applicant submitted an application requesting an amendment to a Master Sign Program, requesting to construct a 6' tall, 32ft2, free-standing monument sign at the southeast corner of Silver Spur Road and Crossfield Drive; and, WHEREAS, on April 10, 2008, staff deemed the application for an amendment to the Master Sign Program complete; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et. seq. ("CEQA'), the State's CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq., the City's Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement), the Planning Commission found no evidence that the amendment to a Master Sign Program will have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has been found to be categorically exempt under Class 11 (Section 15311); and, WHEREAS, a public notice was published in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News on August 25, 2008 pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code; and, WHEREAS, on September 23, 2008, the Planning Commission held a public hearing, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: That the proposed project is a request to construct a free-standing, 6' tall, 32ft2 monument sign at the southeast corner of Silver Spur Road and Crossfield Drive. Section 2. That the amendment to the master sign program is necessary for the applicant's enjoyment of substantial trade and property rights, and the sign does not constitute needless repetition, redundancy or proliferation of signage. Specifically, the signs on the front facade can only be seen from the motorists driving east-bound on Crossfield Road, at the T- intersection with Silver Spur Road. Motorists driving either direction on Silver Spur Road cannot readily see the signs on the front facade of the building since they are driving parallel with the building. Additionally, since the current master sign program does not allow any signs on the east and west facade of the structure, the proposed monument sign does not constitute needless repetition, redundancy or proliferation of signage. P.C. Resolution No. 2008-33 Page 1 of 5 Section 3: That the amendment to the master sign program is consistent with the intent and purposes of the sign permit section of the City's Municipal Code. The purpose of signs is to identify the general nature of the establishment or to direct attention to a business. The General Plan discourages and prevents needless clutter from signs due to excessive competition among businesses. The motorists on Silver Spur Road cannot readily identify businesses or services located within the building since identification signs on the front fagade are not in an average driver's view frame. As such, the proposed monument sign is necessary and is consistent with the intent and purpose of the Municipal Code section. Section 4: That the amendment to the master sign program does not constitute a detriment to public health, safety and welfare. The monument sign is proposed to be located at the end of the T-intersection, specifically at the southeast corner of the building. The T- intersection has a traffic signal that will not cause any traffic hazard, as confirmed by the Public Works Department. In addition, the monument sign is modest in size and color, which will not cause heavy distraction to the motorists. Section 5: That the size, shape, color and placement of a sign is compatible with, and bears a harmonious relationship to, the building and site which it identifies. RPVMC Section 17.76.050(F) states that a permanent freestanding sign may be approved by the Director if it is the major identification sign and if it does not exceed 6' in height or 32ft2 in area. The current proposal is for a permanent, freestanding monument sign that does not exceed 6' in height and 32ft2 in area. The only reason the proposed project is subject to Planning Commission review is because the existing Master Sign Program does not specifically allow a permanent free standing sign. The location of the proposed project is also consistent with the minimum 5' setback from all property lines, pursuant to RPVMC Sign Permit section. Additionally, the proposed dark grey monument with black letters is consistent with the existing grey building. Section 6: That the location of the proposed sign and the design of its visual elements, including its lettering colors, decorative motifs, spacing and proportions, shall be considered in order to determine whether the sign is legible under normal viewing conditions prevailing where the sign is to be installed. The proposed location, design and color is compatible with the existing structure and the site. In regards to spacing and proportion, the existing Master Sign Program requires all individual letters not to exceed 18" in height, allowing up to two rows within the same area. Given that the intent of the monument sign is for identification purposes for traveling motorists, the applicant will choose to implement appropriate proportions and legible signs. Additionally, the monument sign will be internally illuminated for darker times of the day. Section 7: That the location and design of the proposed sign will not obscure from view or unduly detract form existing adjacent signs. There are no other monument signs located in the proposed area. Section 8: That the location and design of the proposed sign, its size, shape and color shall be considered in light of the visual characteristics of the surrounding area to determine that the sign will not detract from or cause depreciation to the value of adjacent developed properties. The color, size and shape of the monument sign is compatible with the existing building and site. Section 9: That the location and design of the proposed sign in commercial districts in close proximity to any residential district has no adverse effect on the value and character of P.C. Resolution No. 2008-33 Page 2 of 5 the adjacent residential district. The residential area is located at least 200' away to the north and the building pads of those properties are approximately 100' higher than the subject property. As such, the residential properties will not be affected by the proposed monument sign. Section 10: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or any portion of this decision may appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall set forth the grounds for appeal and any specific action being requested by the appellant. Any appeal letter must be filed within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this decision, or by 5:30 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. A $1,344.00 appeal fee must accompany any appeal letter. If no appeal is filed timely, the Planning Commission's decision will be final at 5:30 PM on October 8, 2008. Section 4: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings included in the Staff Reports, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby approves an amendment to the Master Sign Program to allow for the construction of a permanent, free-standing monument sign (Case No. ZON2008-00168); subject to the conditions contained in Exhibit `A', attached hereto and made a part hereof, which are necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare in the area. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 23`d day of September 2008, by the following vote: AYES: Co. ®ssioner Gerstner, Knight, ltuttenberge Tomblin, Vice Chairman Lewis, Chairman Perest NOES: Nene RECUSALS: None ABSTENTIONS: Nene ABSENT: Chairman Tetreauit Stephen Perestam, Chairman V_f� Joel R ja , AICP Direct r ol Planning, 2ilding and C d Enforcement; and, Secretary of the Planning Commission P.C. Resolution No. 2008-33 Page 3 of 5 EXHI IT W CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR 500 SILVER SPUR ROAD General Conditions: 1. Prior to 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 contained in this Resolution. Failure to provide said written statement within ninety (90) days following the date of this approval shall render this approval null and void. 2. 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. 3. The Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement is authorized to make minor modifications to the approved plans and any of the conditions of approval if such modifications will achieve substantially the same results as would strict compliance with the approved plans and conditions. Otherwise, any substantive change to the project shall require approval of a revision by the final body that approved the original project, which may require new and separate environmental review. 4. Failure to comply with and adhere to all of these conditions of approval may 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. 5. 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 this Resolution, 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. 6. 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. 7. 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 this Resolution. 8. 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. 9. Permitted hours and days for construction activity are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday P.C. Resolution No. 2008-33 Page 4 of 5 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. 10. Unless modified by the approval of future planning applications, the approved project shall maintain a minimum 5' setback from all property lines. 11. All grading, landscaping and construction activities shall exercise effective dust control techniques, either through screening and/or watering. 12. All construction sites shall be maintained in a secure, safe, neat and orderly manner. Temporary portable bathrooms shall be provided on a construction site if required by the City's Building Official. Said portable bathrooms shall be subject to the approval of the City's Building Official and shall be placed in a location that will minimize disturbance to the surrounding property owners. Project Specific Conditions: 13. This amendment to the Master Sign Permit allows the construction of a permanent free- standing monument sign at the corner of Silver Spur Road and Crossfield Drive. The monument sign shall not exceed 6' in overall height and 32ft2 in area. 14. The colors and design of the monument sign shall be consistent to the stamped and approved plan, filed with the Planning Department. 15. The monument sign shall adhere to all required conditions set forth in the Master Sign Program for the RPV Financial Center located at 500 Silver Spur Road. This approval does not change any of the existing conditions of approval for the original Sign Program (SP No. 611). All prior conditions shall remain in effect. P.C. Resolution No. 2008-33 Page 5 of 5