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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-07-11 - ORDINANCES - ADOPT LACO REFERENCE SIGNS (2)ORDINANCE NO. 89-17 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING TITLE 22, CHAPTERS 22.40, 22.52 AND 22.56 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, ADOPTED BY REFERENCE, RELATING TO SIGNS THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council does hereby find and determine as follows: A. There exist within the City a large number of outdoor advertising signs which have a direct impact on the visual aesthetics of the community and on traffic safety. It is in the interest of the public's health, safety and general welfare to regulate the maintenance and further placement of outdoor advertising signs within the City. B. "Outdoor advertising sign" is defined in Section 22.08.190 of the Los Angeles County Code, adopted by the City by reference (the "Code"), to mean any sign directing public attention to a business, profession, product or service that is not a primary business, profession, product or service which is sold, manufactured, conducted or offered on the premises where such sign is erected or maintained. "Outdoor advertising sign" includes billboards. Regulations regarding outdoor advertising signs are contained in Title 22, Chapters 22.40, 22.52, 22.56 and other portions of the Code. C. On December 15, 1987, the City adopted all Los Angeles County ordinances pursuant to Ordinance No. 87-1. On December 16, 1987, the City adopted Ordinance No. 87-9, imposing -a moratorium on the construction of billboards in the City. D. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on this proposed ordinance at 7:30 p.m. on June 6, 1989, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California. The Planning Commission reviewed the initial study and negative declara- tion prepared for this project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections MRW/ORN4750 21000, et sec.), and recommended approval of the negative declaration and the adoption of this ordinance. E. The City .Council held a,duly noticed public hearing on the adoption of this ordinance at 7:30 p.m. on June 27, 1989; --in the Council Chambers -at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California. NOW, THEREFORE,- -:THE CI -TY COUNCIL DOES ORDAIN: SECTION 2. Section 22.52.790 of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of the Code is amended to read as follows: "22.52.790.- PURPOSE OF PART 10 PROVISIONS. It is the purpose of this Part 10 of Chapter 22.52 to establish comprehensive signregulationsfor effectively regulating the placement, erection and maintenance of signs in the City of Santa Clarita." -SECTION 3. Section. 22.52.820 of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of the Code is amendedtoread as follows: "22.52.820. GENERAL REGULATIONS. The following regulations apply to all signs in any zone: A. Innocase shall a lighted sign or lighting device thereof be so placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a -public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises soasto cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance. B. Signs, except outdoor advertising signs, may - be single-, double- or multi -faced, provided that: 1. The distance between the faces of any double-faced sign, other than a V-shaped projecting sign, shall not exceed 36 inches; and 2.. The separation between the intersecting faces of any multi -faced sign or a double-faced projecting sign shall not exceed 12 inches. C. Any sign which was erected for an occupant or business unrelated to the present occupant or business, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer exists, shall be removed within 30 days after the purpose for or use utilizing such sign has been removed from such property. -2- MRW/ORN4750 Any permitted sign may be -a changeable -copy sign, except as otherwise provided in this Title. E. All signs shall be designed in the simplest --form-and be free of any -bracing, angle -iron, guy wires, cables or similar devices. F. Visible, exposed backs of all signs shall be suitably covered, finished and properly maintained. G. -All signs shall be maintained in good repair, including display surfaces, which shall be kept neatly painted or posted. Copy on all signs shall be kept clean and orderly,-ind-free from any flagging, chipping or peeling. H. Any sign which does not conform to the provisions of this Title 22 shall be made to conform or shall be removed as provided in Section 22.56.1540 or as otherwise allowed by law. I. Except where otherwise specifically provided by this Title, sign regulations established pursuant to this Part 10 shall not apply to signs within a building, arcade, court or other similarly enclosed area where such signs are not visible to the public without entering such facilities. J. The height of all signs shall be measured from the highest point of the sign." SECTION 4. Section 22.52.840 of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of the Code is amended to read as follows: 1122.52.840. OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS - CONDITIONS. Outdoor advertising signs may be erected or maintained in Zones C-2, C-3, C -M, M-1, M-1-1/2, M-2, M-3, M-4 and M-2-1/2, where a parcel of real property or some portion thereof within such zone has been designated a Billboard Overlay Zone pursuant to Chapter 22.40, Part 3 of this Code. All outdoor advertising signs (referred to in this section as "signs") shall be subject to the following conditions: A. No sign shall be erected or maintained without a conditional use permit obtained pursuant to Chapter 22.56, Part l of this Code. -3- MRW/ORN4750 1. A conditional use permit for the erection of a signmay beapprovedfor a limited term of not less than five years. If such a condition is imposed, the applicant shall enter an agreement by which the appli- cant agrees to;,(a) remove the sign at -the expiration of the permit; (b) grant to the City a right of entry for the purpose of removing the sign at expiration if the applicant fails to remove it; and (c) post a cash bond with the City equal to the estimated cost of removal, to be used by the City for removal at expiration if the applicant fails to remove it. 2. Conditions of approval for the erection or maintenance of a sign on a vacant lot may include, but are not limited to, the applicant's installation of appropriate sidewalks, landscaping and irrigation. B. The total sign face shall not exceed 300 square feet. C. The height shall not exceed 35 feet measured from the ground level at the base of the sign. Each sign shall allow for a minimum of 8 feet clearance between the ground level and the structural portion of the sign designed to contain the advertising display. D. Signs shall not be erected or maintained within a 1,000 foot radius of any other outdoor advertising sign or within a 1,000 foot radius of any residential zone. E.- Signs shall not be permitted having a message face visible from and within a distance of 1,000 feet of the edge of right-of-way of a freeway or scenic highway, measured horizontally along a line normal or perpendi- cular to the centerline of such freeway or scenic highway, if designed to be viewed partially or primarily by persons traveling thereon. F. Signs shall not be permitted on a roof, and none of the length of the structure of a freestanding sign shall extend over a roof. G. Signs shall not encroach over public rights- of-way. H. Signs may only have a single face for the display of copy, and shall have no moving lights, moving parts, trivision or reader boards. No additional face -4- MRW/ORN4750 may be added to an existing sign. No sign shall be illuminated so that -it is visible at night. I. Signs shall only be erected on a single post, which shall not exceed 18 inches in diameter. No wooden post supporting any sign may be converted to a more durable material. All surfaces shall be covered, with no exposed structural material. All backs of signs shall be covered, as -shall all parts of a sign's - superstructure. J. All provisions of the City's building code shall be applicable to signs. If any utility lines are required for the sign, such lines shall be undergrounded. K. Signs shall meet all setback and other requirements of the zone in which they are located, and shall not be erected or maintained within any required landscaping or parking area. In no case may a sign be placed closer to a street than that portion of any structure, existing on the same legal parcel, which is closest to that street. L. Any sign which does not display copy for a continuous 30 -day period shall be deemed abandoned and shall be removed. M. No sign shall be constructed on or within 3 feet of the wall of any structure. N. No sign may be structurally upgraded in any manner which would increase the size of the sign, its useful life or its fair market value. O. Signs damaged by natural causes may be repaired to their previous, undamaged condition. However, no such repair may be undertaken where the cost of repair exceeds 25% of the sign's fair market value before the damage without a conditional use permit first being obtained pursuant to Chapter 22.56, Part 1 of this Code." SECTION 5. Section 22.56.1540(B)(2)(a) of Chapter 22.56, Part 10 of the Code is amended to read as follows: "a. Signs as prohibited by Section 22.52.990, 30 days,". -5- MRW/ORN4750 WON MRW/ORN4750 SECTION 6. Section 22.56.1540(B)(3) of Chapter 22.56, Part 10 of the Code is added to read as follows: "3. Inthecase of outdoor advertising signs or structures in residential or -agricultural zones, and notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Title, such signs and structures shall be discontinued and removed pursuant to and as allowed by California Business and Professions Code Sections 5412.1 and 5412.2 as follows: Fair Market Value on Date of Notice of Removal Requirement Years Allowed Under $1,999... ......... 2 $ 2,000 to $3,999 ............................... 3 $ 4,000 to $5,999 .............................. 4 $ 6,000 to $7,999 .............................. .... 5 $ 8,000 to $9,999 ...................... 6 $10,000 and over ................................ 7 The amounts provided in this section shall be adjusted each January l from and after January 1, 1983, in accordance with the changes in building costs, as indicated in the United States Department of Commerce Composite Cost Index for Construction Costs." SECTION 7. Chapter 22.40, Part 3 of the Code is amended to read as follows: Zone. "Part 3 - Chapter 22.40 (_)-BB Billboard Overlay SECTIONS: 22.40.090 ESTABLISHED FOR CERTAIN ZONES. 22.40.100 INTENT AND PURPOSE. 22.40.110 PERMITTED AREA. 22.40.120 PERMITTED USES. 22.40.090. ESTABLISHED FOR CERTAIN ZONES. For Zones C-2, C-3, C -M, M-1, M-1-1/2, M-2, M-3, M-4 and M-2-1/2 listed in Section 22.12.010, and as allowed by Section 22.40.110, there shall be an additional zone designated by the respective zoning symbol plus the letters "BB"; for example C -2 -BB, etc. The zone designated prior to the letters "BB" (in the example given, "C-2") shall be known as the "basic" zone for the purpose of this Part. 22.40.100. INTENT AND PURPOSE. Zone (_)-BB is -, established to provide for certain commercial and industrial areas within the City in which outdoor advertising signs -may be erected and maintained, pursuant to a conditional use permit as provided in Section -22.52.840(A), in a manner which would not cause hazards to pedestrians and motorists, or detract from the appearance of such areas as places to shop and work, or otherwise be detrimental to the general aesthetic appearance of such areas. Content or subject matter of the display on any existing or potential outdoor advertising sign shall not be used as a criterion for establishment of this zone. 22.40.110 PERMITTED AREA. Zone (_)-BB may only be added as an overlay zone to the front one hundred (100) feet of property in the C-2, C-3, C -M, M-1, M-1 1/2, M-2, M-3, M-4 and M-2-1/2 zones abutting San Fernando and Soledad Canyon Roads west of Sierra Highway. Such one hundred (100) foot depth shall be measured perpendicular to the right-of-way line after adjustment for any necessary dedications. Zone (_)-BB may only be added as an overlay zone pursuant to the provisions of Part 2, Chapter 22.16, "Zone Changes and Amendments". 22.40.120. PERMITTED USES. Premises in Zone (_)-BB may be used for the following uses: - Zone ( )-BB may be used for any use permitted in the basic zone, subject to the conditions and limita- tions set forth therein; and for outdoor advertising signs, provided a conditional use permit has first been obtained as provided in Part 1 of Chapter 22.56, and then only while such permit is in full force and effect in conformity with the conditions of such permit." SECTION 8. Nothing in this ordinance shall operate to preclude the City from availing itself of any provision of state or federal law, currently in effect or hereafter adopted, which would allow the City to require the removal of outdoor advertising signs without compensation. Nothing in this ordinance shall operate to require the removal without compensation of an outdoor advertising sign erected prior to the effective date of this ordinance, where such removal would be in violation of California Business and Professions Code Section 5412. SECTION 9. Nothing in this ordinance shall operate to renew, extend or prolong in any way any amortization -7- MRW/ORN4750 period which may already have run or begun to run pursuant to provisions -of the Los Angeles -County Code adopted prior to the City's incorporation. SECTION_10. The provisions of this ordinance specifically supersede the provisions of Title 22, Chapter 22.40, Part 3, Chapter 22.52, Part 1.0, Chapter 22.56, Part 10, of the Los Angeles County Code relating to outdoor advertising signs and any other provisions of the Code which conflict with this ordinance. As of the effective date of this ordinance, Ordinance No. 87-9, which imposed a moratorium on the construction of billboards in the City, and any ordinance adopted subsequently to extend Ordinance No. 87-9, are repealed. SECTION 11. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council declares it would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, parts or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 12. The City is proceeding in a timely fashion with the preparation of a general plan. There is a reasonable probability that this project will be consistent with the general plan proposal which will be studied within a reasonable time. There is little or no probability of substantial detriment to or interference with the future adopted general plan if this project is ultimately inconsistent with the plan. This project complies with all applicable requirements of state law and local ordinances. SECTION 13. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a negative declaration has been prepared relating to the adoption of this ordinance. The City Council has reviewed the negative declaration and initial study and any comments received and finds that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. The City Council therefore approves the negative declaration. SECTION 14. This ordinance shall become effective thirty days after its adoption. The City Clerk shall -8- MRW/ORN4750 certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause it to be posted as required by law. PASSED AND APPROVED this 11th day of July 1989. MAYO STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was duly introduced on the 27th day of June , 1989, and adopted on the 11th day of July 1989, by the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES• ABSENT: MRW/ORN4750 Darcy, Koontz, McKeon, Heidt None Boyer