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PC - 2010-21 - Approving Design Review 10-01 for Modification of an Existing 30 foot pole sign into a 17 foot monument sign at 8508-8522 ValleyPC RESOLUTION 10-21 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 10-01 FOR THE MODIFICATION OF AN EXISTING 30-FOOT TALL POLE SIGN INTO A 17-FOOT TALL MONUMENT SIGN, LOCATED AT 8508-8522 VALLEY BOULEVARD IN THE C-3D (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE (APNS: 5371-010-800, 801, 803). WHEREAS, on April 1, 2010, Buon Duong, on behalf of Hawaii Properties filed a Design Review application to modify an existing 30-foot tall pole sign into a 17-foot tall monument sign, located at 8508-8522 Valley Boulevard; and WHEREAS, 8508-8522 Valley Boulevard is located in the C-3D (Central Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay) zoning district; and WHEREAS, Section 17.72.050. of the Rosemead Municipal Code (RMC) provides the purpose and criteria for a design review; and WHEREAS, Sections 65800 & 65900 of the California Government Code and Section 17.72.050 of the Rosemead Municipal Code authorize the Planning Commission to approve, conditionally approve or deny design review applications; and WHEREAS, on June 10, 2010, ninety-four (94) notices sent to property owners within a 300-foot radius from the subject property, in addition to notices posted in six (6) public locations and on-site, specifying the availability of the application, plus the date, time and location of the public hearing for Modification 10-02, and on June 11, 2010, the notice was published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune; and WHEREAS, on June 21, 2010, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed and advertised public hearing to receive oral and written testimony relative to Design Review 10-01; and WHEREAS, the Rosemead Planning Commission has sufficiently considered all testimony presented to them in order to make the following determination. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of Rosemead as follows: SECTION 1. The Planning Commission HEREBY DETERMINES that Design Review 10-01 is classified as a Class 11 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15311(a) of CEQA guidelines. Section 15311(a) of the California Environmental Quality Act exempts projects that consist of the construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including but not limited to on-premise signs. SECTION 2. The Planning Commission HEREBY FINDS AND DETERMINES that facts do exist to justify approving Design Review 10-01 in accordance with Section 17.72.030 et seq., of the Rosemead Municipal Code as follows: A. The plans indicate proper consideration for the relationship between the proposed building and site developments that exist or have been approved for the general neighborhood; FINDING: The proposed monument sign will be architecturally enhanced with colors, materials and design elements that are found on the existing buildings onsite. The monument sign will be constructed out of aluminum and covered with stucco to match the existing building exteriors in color and texture. The text graphics will consist of routed out and '/4" thick clear acrylic pushed-through letters in black and red. A stone veneer base will be incorporated to match the existing buildings. The monument sign will be designed with current industry standard materials and the overall design will improve the general appearance of the existing commercial center. The proposed design is in line with contemporary signage found at other neighboring commercial sites. B. The plan for the proposed building and site development indicates the manner in which the proposed development and surrounding properties are protected against noise, vibrations and other factors which may have an adverse effect on the environment, and the manner of screening mechanical equipment, trash, storage and loading areas. FINDING: The monument sign will be designed with current industry standard materials and the overall design will improve the general appearance of the existing commercial center because it is lower to the ground and at eye-level for commuters to identify the businesses at the commercial center. Once installed and operational, the monument sign will be silent in nature. This development will not adversely affect surrounding properties because the sign is existing and the applicant is only proposing to lower the height of the 30-foot tall pole sign to a 17-foot tall monument sign. C. The proposed building or site development is not, in its exterior design and appearance, so at variance with the appearance of other existing buildings or site developments in the neighborhood as to cause the nature of the local environment to materially depreciate in appearance and value; FINDING: The proposed design is in line with contemporary signage found at other neighboring commercial sites. The monument sign will improve the physical appearance of the commercial center by enhancing colors, materials and design elements that are found on the existing buildings onsite and replace the existing 30-foot tall pole sign that is not in harmony with the site buildings or other nearby buildings. D. The proposed building or structure is in harmony with the proposed developments on land in the general area, especially in those instances where buildings are within or adjacent to land shown on the General Plan as being part of the Civic Center or in public or educational use, or are within or immediately adjacent to land included within any precise plan which indicates building shape, size or style. FINDING: The approved design will create a development that is aesthetically pleasing and enhance land values in the general area. The monument sign will replace the existing signage onsite with signage made out of higher quality materials, and it will provide a cohesive architectural style and color scheme that will substantially improve the visual appearance of the site. The property is not part of the Civic Center Plan, precise plan or land reserved for public or educational use. E. The proposed development is in conformity with the standards of this code and other applicable ordinances in so far as the location and appearance of the buildings and structures are involved. FINDING: The monument sign meets all of the minimum code requirements for the C-31D (Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay) zone, and all standards for signage in Section 17.104 of the Rosemead Municipal Code (RMC). Although RMC Section 17.104.030 (C) allows a maximum height of 35-feet for freestanding signs, the applicant is only proposing the monument sign at 17-feet. The proposed sign area on the monument sign is also below the allowable 200 square feet. F. The site plan and the design of the buildings, parking areas, signs, landscaping, luminaries, and other site feature indicates that proper consideration has been given to both the functional aspects of the site development, such as automobile and pedestrian circulation, and the visual effect of the development from the view of public streets. FINDING: The monument sign will not affect automobile and pedestrian circulation because it will be located in the same place as the existing sign that it is designed to replace. It will improve the visual effect of the site from the view of the public streets, primarily on Valley Boulevard, because it is lowered in height and clearly identifies the businesses located in the commercial center. The design and size is intended to promote an attractive commercial environment. SECTION 3. The Planning Commission HEREBY APPROVES Design Review 10-01, for the modification of an existing 30-foot tall pole sign into a 17-foot tall monument sign, subject to conditions listed in Exhibit "B" attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. SECTION 4. This action shall become final and effective ten (10) days after this decision by the Planning Commission, unless within such time a written appeal is filed with the City Clerk for consideration by the Rosemead City Council as provided in Article IX - Planning and Zoning of the Rosemead Municipal Code. SECTION 5. This resolution is the result of an action taken by the Planning Commission on June 21, 2010, by the following vote: YES: ALARCON, ENG, HERRERA, HUNTER AND RUIZ NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE SECTION 6. The secretary shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall transmit copies of same to the applicant and the Rosemead City Clerk. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED, this 2151 day of June, 2010. William Alarcon. Chairman CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Rosemead at its regular meeting, held on this 21St day of June, 2010, by the following vote: YES: NO: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Sheri Bermejo, Secretary EXHIBIT "B" DESIGN REVIEW 10-01 8508-8522 VALLEY BOULEVARD (APNs: 5371-010-800, 801, 803) CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL June 21. 2010 1. Design Review 10-01 is approved for the modification of a 30-foot tall pole sign to a 17-foot tall monument sign, to be developed in accordance with the plans marked Exhibit "C", dated June 8, 2010. Any revisions to the approved plans must be resubmitted for review and approval by the City of Rosemead Planning Division. 2. Approval of Design Review 10-01 shall not take effect for any purpose until the applicant has filed with the City of Rosemead a notarized affidavit stating that he/she is aware of and accepts all of the conditions of approval as set forth in the letter of approval and this list of conditions, within ten (10) days from the Planning Commission approval date. 3. Design Review 10-01 is approved for a period of six (6) months. The applicant shall commence the proposed use or request an extension within 30-calendar days prior to expiration. The six (6) months initial approval period shall be effective from the Planning Commission approval date. For the purpose of this petition, project commencement shall be defined as beginning the permitting process with the Planning and Building Divisions, so long as the project is not abandoned. If the Design Review 10-01 has been unused, abandoned or discontinued for a period of six (6) months it shall become null and void. 4. The Planning Commission hereby authorizes the Planning Division to make and/or approve minor modifications. 5. The following conditions must be complied with to the satisfaction of the Planning Division prior to final approval of the associated plans, building permits, occupancy permits, or any other appropriate request. 6. Design Review 10-01 is granted or approved with the City and its Planning Commission and City Council retaining and reserving the right and jurisdiction to review and to modify the permit--including the conditions of approval--based on changed circumstances. Changed circumstances include, but are not limited to, the modification of the use, a change in scope, emphasis, size, or nature of the use, or the expansion, alteration, reconfiguration, or change of use. This reservation of right to review is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the right of the city, its Planning Commission, and City Council to review and revoke or modify any permit granted or approved under the Rosemead Municipal Code for any violations of the conditions imposed on Design Review 10-01. 7. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Rosemead and its agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City of Rosemead or its agents, officers, or employees to attack, set side, void, or annul, an approval of the Planning Commission and/or City Council concerning the project, which action is brought within the time period provided by law. 8. The conditions listed on this exhibit shall be copied directly onto any development plans subsequently submitted to the Planning and Building divisions for review. 9. The applicant shall comply with all Federal, State and local laws relative to the approved use including the requirements of the Planning, Building, Fire, Sheriff and Health Departments. 10. Building permits will not be issued in connection with any project until such time as all plan check fees, and all other applicable fees are paid in full. 11. All requirements of the Building and Safety Division and the Planning Division shall be complied with prior to the final approval of the proposed construction. 12. Construction activities shall be limited to take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No construction shall take place on Sundays or any federal holidays. The applicant shall give notice of construction times to residents and business owners within a 300, radius, no less than five days before construction. 13. The Planning staff shall have access to the subject property at any time during construction to monitor progress. 14. Applicant shall obtain a public works permit for all work in or adjacent to the public right-of-way. 15. The site shall be maintained in a graffiti-free state. Any new graffiti shall be removed within twenty-four (24) hours. A 24-hour, Graffiti Hotline can be called at (626) 569-2345 for assistance. 16. All landscaped areas shall be maintained with adequate landscaping on a regular basis, including the removal of trash and litter. 17. The onsite public hearing notice posting shall be removed within 30 days from the end of the 10-day appeal period of Design Review 10-02. 18. An addendum to the existing Master Sign Program shall be submitted to the Planning Division prior to the issuance of building permits to reflect the modification approved. 19. Violations of the conditions of approval may result in citation and/or initiation of revocation proceedings.