PC RES 2024-020 P.C. RESOLUTION 2024-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PAWS VERDES RECOMMENDING THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND §17.75.B.3 (REMOVAL
WITHOUT COMPENSATION; LEGAL NONCONFORMING
SIGNS) OF CHAPTER 17.75 (SIGN CODE) IN TITLE 17
(ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ALLOW FOR THE REMODELING AND/OR
RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING, LEGAL, NON-
CONFORMING FREESTANDING MONUMENT AND
DIRECTORY SIGNS, AND POLE SIGNS, AND DETERMINE
THE CODE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
REQUIREMENTS (CASE NO. PLCA2024-0005).
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2021, the City Council approved a comprehensive
update of the City's Sign Code (Chapter 17.75 of the RPVMC), including regulations for
both commercial and non-commercial (residential) signs, intended to promote the public
health, safety, and welfare and balance the City's interests in aesthetics and traffic safety,
with the interest of nonresidential uses and their patrons to provide visible information
relating to the services or goods provided; and
WHEREAS, the current Sign Code offers very limited capabilities for commercial
sites to remodel existing legal Nonconforming onsite signage, including freestanding
directory and monument signs, and pole signs, requiring reconstruction of a legal
Nonconforming sign where 30 percent or more of the sign and/or sign structure is to be
replaced to be brought into full compliance with the Sign Code standards; and
WHEREAS, depending on the age and/or condition of the existing Nonconforming
signs on the larger commercial sites, it may be impossible for an applicant to maintain
more than 70 percent of the original sign structure due to Building Code requirements;
and
WHEREAS, the Sign Code design standards are limited to a maximum height of
six feet and a maximum area of 40 square feet for larger commercial sites, limiting
commercial sites with multiple access points and multiple tenants to provide effective
informational directory signage, which may impact the commercial businesses and cause
confusion and conflicts for traffic trying to locate the businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Variance section of the RPVMC cannot be applied to
Nonconforming signage, and another method by which to allow remodeling of existing
legal, non-conforming signs would need to be added to the RPVMC in order to address
existing commercial properties; and
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WHEREAS, given that the City Council's goal for maintaining and improving the
quality of life for Rancho Palos Verdes residents intends to support local businesses and
grow businesses, including enhancing the Western Avenue commercial corridor, and
many of these commercial sites are in that vicinity; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2024, the City Council initiated code amendment
proceedings to Chapter 17.75 (Sign Code) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
to allow the remodeling and/or reconstruction of existing legal, non-conforming
freestanding monument and directory signs subject to certain requirements; and
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2024, a public notice was published in the Palos Verdes
Peninsula News informing the public of a public hearing by the Planning Commission to
consider recommendations to the City Council related to the adoption of code
amendments to Chapter 17.75 (Sign Code) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the RPVMC; and
WHEREAS, on June 11, 2024, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed
public hearing, considered the information provided by City staff, public testimony and
other evidence regarding the Project. This Resolution, and its findings, are based upon
the evidence presented to the Planning Commission at its hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES AND RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The facts set forth in the recitals of this Resolution are true and
correct and incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full.
Section 2: CEQA Compliance. The Planning Commission finds that the code
amendments described below are not a "project" as that term is defined by California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines as this ordinance constitutes general
policy and procedure making (14 CCR §§ 15060 (c)(3), 15378 ); alternatively, the code
amendments are exempt from CEQA'S requirements because there is no possibility that
this Ordinance or its implementation would have a significant negative effect on the
environment (14 CCR § 15061 (b)(3)).
Section 3: The Planning Commission has reviewed and considered
recommending to the City Council that an ordinance be adopted to amend §17.75.B.3
(Removal without compensation; legal Nonconforming signs) of Title 17 (Zoning) Of The
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, to allow the remodeling and/or reconstruction of
existing, legal, Nonconforming freestanding monument and director signs, and determine
the amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as follows (Note:
Additions are noted as bolded and underlined and deletions as ):
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17.75.140.B - Legal nonconforming signs.
3. Reconstruction of a legal nonconforming sign (other than a freestanding
monument sign or directory sign, or pole sign) where 30 percent or more of
the sign structure is replaced must be brought into full compliance with this chapter.
4. The remodel and/or reconstruction of an existing nonconforming
freestanding monument or directory sign, or pole sign, may be permitted
provided that all of the following requirements are met:
a. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign and sign structure and
framework shall maintain the same type of sign structure and framework.
b. The sign structure and framework height shall not exceed the current
height.
c. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign structure and framework shall
be located in the same general location as existing, as determined by the
Director.
d. The dimensions and square footage of a remodeled and/or reconstructed
sign area shall not exceed that of the existing sign area.
e. The lowest portion of the sign area shall not be below the existing.
f. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign and sign structure do not
extend into the public right of way, from ground to sky.
g. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign and sign structure do not
create a public health and safety hazard with regards to sightlines for
driveways, intersections, etc. This shall be confirmed by consultation
with the Public Works Department.
h. If the existing lighting on a legal nonconforming sign and/or sign
structure changes, that lighting shall comply with the illumination
regulations set forth in RPVMC §17.75.0801C).
Section 4: The Code Amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and
objectives of the General Plan because the Code Amendment is in the public interest in
that it will allow existing dilapidated freestanding monument and directory signs, and pole
signs to be remodeled and improve the aesthetics of the City. Specifically, the Code
Amendment is consistent with the following Goals and Policies of the City's General Plan:
1. Land Use Element Policy No. 15: "Require that scenic view preservation by
commercial and institutional activities be taken into account not only in the
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physical design of structures and signs, but also in night lighting of exterior
grounds." Land Use Element, pg. L-8.
2. Visual Resources Element Policy No. 11: "Maintain strict sign standards to
ensure that signs are harmonious with the buildings, neighborhood, and
other signs in the area." Visual Resources Element, pg. V-3.
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission forward a copy of this
resolution to the City Council so the Council will be informed of the action and
recommendations of the Planning Commission
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 11 th day of June 2024, by the following
vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS NELSON, PERESTAM, SAADATNEJADI, VICE-CHAIR
SANTAROSA, & CHAIR CHURA
NOES: COMMISSIONERS BRACH & NULMAN
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
RECUSALS: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
00-)
on Santarosa,
Vice-Chair
/A,
Br.' orbe, IC'
Direct. of Community Development; and,
Secretary of the Planning Commission
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