HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - INTERIM SIGN ORD (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
PUBLIC HEARING i Ken Pulskamp �, —
DATE: January 9 ,1990
SUBJECT: Draft Interim Ordinance Pertaining to Signs
DEPARTMENT:. Community Development
BACKGROUND
This item is on the agenda as a public hearing regarding the draft interim
ordinance pertaining to signs.
At the Planning Commission Study Session of September 28, 1989, the Commission
discussed issues pertaining to business signs and directed staff to prepare a
draft ordinance. The draft ordinance proposes three primary changes as
discussed further in the staff report: (1) Prohibition of seven types of new
signs presently permitted - roof signs, flashing and rotating signs, painted
signs, multi -tenant signs, pylon.signs, portable signs, and projecting signs;
(2) Reduction of allowable area and vertical dimension of wall signs; and (3)
Establishment of low profile monument signs as the standard freestanding sign.
At its meeting of December 19, 1989, the Commission held a public hearing on the
attached draft ordinance,'and recommended approval of the draft ordinance to the
City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Pending public testimony, (1) approve the negative declaration, and (2)
introduce the ordinance and pass to second reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Staff Report dated December 19, 1989.
2. Ordinance No. 90-1.
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Agenda Item:_L
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CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REGARDING A
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22.52 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
CODE, ADOPTED BY REFERENCE, RELATING TO SIGNS.
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN:.
Public Hearings will be held before the Planning Commission and City Council of the City of Santa
Clarita to consider an ordinance regarding the standards for certain signs.
Public testimony regarding the proposed ordinance will be heard by the Planning Commission in the City
Hall Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard on the Nineteenth (19) day of December 1989 at or after
6:30 p.m.
Public testimony regarding the proposed ordinance will be heard by the City Council in the City Hall
Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard on the Ninth (9th) day'of January, 1990 at or after 6:30 p.m.
The proposed ordinance reduces allowable wall sign area; prohibits pole signs (with exceptions) and
provides, instead, for low profile monument signs; prohibits portable signs, roof signs, projecting signs,
moving and revolving signs, painted wall signs; multi -tenant signs; and other related modifications.
The Planning Commission or City Council may decide to amend the proposed ordinance based upon
testimony and other information at the public hearings.
The Planning Commission and City Council may revise the proposed ordinance in any lawful manner
deemed appropriate regarding the regulation and placement of signs.
A Negative Declaration has been prepared for this proposed project and is available for public review
beginning at 4:00 p.m. on November 29, 1989 at:
Valencia Library Community Development Dept.
23743 Valencia Boulevard City Hall
Valencia, California 91355 and at 23920 Valencia Boulevard
Suite 300
SantClarita, CA 91355
For further information regarding this proposal, you may contact[ e City of Santa Clarita, Department of
Community Development, 23920 Valencia Boulevard,. Third Floor, San
(805) 255-4330. ta Clarita, CA 91355; Telephone:
If you wish to challenge the adoption of the proposed ordinance in court, you may be limited to raising
only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written
correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission or City- Council, at, or prior to, the public hearing.
Ken Pulskamp, Acting Director of Community Development
Posted: Santa Clarita City Hall Published: Newhall Signal
Sherifrs Department November 29, 1989
Santa Clarita Post Office
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®l.
ORDINANCE NO. 90-1
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA,
SUPERSEDING AND AMENDING A PORTION OF THE
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ORDINANCE WHICH
ADOPTED THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE
PERTAINING TO SIGN REQUIREMENTS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Council does hereby find and determine as
follows:
A. A Planning Commission study session was held on September..
28, 1989, to discuss the subject of necessary revisions to
the City's sign regulations.
B. A duly noticed public hearing was held on the proposed sign
ordinance ,revisions by the Planning Commission on December
19,. 1989, at the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia
Boulevard, Santa Clarita at 6:30 p.m. Following the public
hearing, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the
Negative Declaration and recommended approval to the City
Council of proposed amendments to the City's sign
regulations.
C. A duly noticed public hearing was held by the Council on.
January 9, 1990, at the City Council Chambers, 23920
Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita at 6:30 p.m.
SECTION 2. Based upon the testimony and all evidence
received at the _public hearing, the Council further finds and determines
as follows:
A. The City of Santa Clarita is proceeding in a timely fashion
with. the preparation of a general plan. There is a
reasonable probability that this ordinance will be
consistent with the general plan proposal currently being
considered or studied, that there is little or no
probability of substantial detriment to or interference with
the future adopted general plan if the proposed project is
ultimately inconsistent with that plan, and that the
proposed project complies with all other applicable
requirements of state law and local ordinances.
B. Implementation of this proposal will cause no adverse
....effects'on-the environment.
SECTION 3. Definitions contained in Section 22.08.190 of
Chapter 22.08 as referenced in Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of the County .of
Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by reference by the City
of Santa Clarita are hereby amended to add the following definitions in
the regular alphabetical sequence as appropriate:
A. Sign. Automotive - Oriented. Automotive oriented sign means
a sign that is primarily representing a. business devoted to
automotive sales and/or.services.
B. Sign, Monument. Monument sign means a sign which is
completely self-supporting, has its sign face or base on the
ground and has Ino air space, columns or supports visible
between the ground and the bottom of the sign.
C. Sign, Multi -tenant. Multi -tenant sign means a single sign
that collectively lists more then one, or all tenants, .
businesses, or other establishments occupying a single
building or common group of buildings.
D. Sign, Pylon. Pylon sign means a sign in which the sign face
is separated from ground level by means of one or more
supports such as poles or columns.
E. Sign, Wall - Painted. A wall painted sign means a sign that
is painted directly, on a wall or other vertical, or
non -horizontal surface, and does not project from the
surface to which it is applied.
SECTION 4. Section 22.52.850. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of
the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita is hereby deleted.
. SECTION 5. Section 22.52.860. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of
the County of Los Angeles Planning. and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of.Santa Clarita is hereby superseded and amended
to read as follows:
22.52.860. Business Signs - In Agricultural and Special
Purpose Zones. Business signs are permitted in Zones A-1,
A-2, A -2-H, 0-S, SR -D, P -R, B-1, A -C and W subject to the
following restrictions:
A. Area, Permitted. In Zones A-1, A-2, A -2-H, 0-S and W,
one business sign, not to exceed 12 square feet in sign
area, shall be permitted per lot or parcel of land.
B. Height Permitted.
1.. Freestanding, monument type signs shall not exceed a
maximum height of 3 feet, measured vertically from
•.ground level at the base of the sign.
2. Wall business signs shall not extend above the
lowest. point of a roof or highest point of a parapet
wall.
1*
C. Location of Signs.
1—Business signs shall not:
(a) Be placed on any property nearer than 25 feet
to a .lot line, other than one adjoining a
street or highway;
(b) Be placed within a, required front or corner
side yard.nearer than 10 feet to the highway
line of the adjacent street, highway or parkway.
D. Projection Permitted.
1. Wall business signs shall not project more than 18
inches from the building to which they are attached.
2. Business signs which, project over public
rights-of-way are subject to the requirements of the
Building Code, set out at Title 23 of,this code.
E. Movement.. Signs shall not rotate, move 'or simulate
motion in any way.
F. Lighting. Signs may be internally or externally
lighted, provided:
.1. That in Zones A-1, A-2,, A -2-H, 0-S or P -R, no
exposed incandescent lamp used shall exceed a rated
wattage of 25 watts; and
2. That any continuous or sequential flashing operation
is prohibited.
SECTION 6. Section 22.52.880. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of
the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita is hereby superseded and amended
to read as follows:
22.52.880., Wall Business Signs. This section shall govern
all wall signs as defined in Chapter 22.08 and shall apply
in all Commercial and Industrial Zones and the R -R Zone.
A. Area Permitted.
1. Each ground -floor business establishment fronting on
and/or oriented toward one or more public street,
highway or parkway shall be.permitted a maximum of
one square foot of wall sign area for each one
linear foot of building frontage.
-2...,,-Where a ground -floor. business establishment fronts
only on a parking lot, alley, open mall, landscaped
open space or, other public way, the exterior
building wall facing such parking lot, alley, open
mall, landscaped open space or -other public way
shall be considered a building frontage for purposes
of computing permitted wall sign area.
3. A ground -floor business establishment . having
entrances intended for and regularly utilized by the .
public on. the side of a building. which is not
considered building frontage as defined by this
code, shall be'permitted one wall. sign on each such
side, provided said sign does not exceed one-half
said sign area permitted on the building frontage of .
said business. Where a business has more than one
building frontage recognized by, this section, .an
average of the total of the width of all frontages
permitted sign areas shall be used to compute the
total sign area.
4. Any building containing business, establishments,
which front only on an .interior mall having a
limited number of entrances, shall be considered a
single establishment for the purpose of computing
the wall sign area permitted on the exterior walls
of such building.
5.. In the event a side wall sign is permitted 'pursuant
to section..A.3 above, the total sign area for such
building (including signs on frontage walls and side
walls), shall not exceed a maximum sign area
permitted by sections A.1 and A.3 above'.
6... Each ground -floor business establishment, not
covered by paragraph A.1 above, and except as
limited by paragraph A.4 above, shall be permitted a
minimum sign area of 10 square feet for each
building frontage.
7. Each business establishment located on a second
floor and facing the street or highway shall be
permitted a maximum of '10 square feet of sign area
as a wall business sign.
8. In all listed zones,. each business establishment
located on, the ground, or second floor having no
building frontage, shall be permitted a maximum of
one square foot of sign area facing the street or
highway.
B. Steep Sloping .Roofs. That portion of any actual or
false roof varying 45 degrees or less from a vertical
plane may be considered an extension of the building
wall for the purpose of wall business -sign placement.
C. Height Permitted. Wall business signs shall not extend'
above the highest point, exclusive of any roof
structures, of the roof or parapet.
D. Lighting. Wall business signs may be internally or
externally lighted..
E. Dimensions. The maximum vertical dimensions of a wall
sign box and/or the sign copy shall not exceed two feet,
except that the Director may approve taller vertical
dimensions for signs located on buildings having a
setback.- in excess of 250 feet and/or for initial capital
letters or logos. If a site plan is first submitted to
and approved by the Director, as provided in Part 12 .of
Chapter 22.56 , signs greater than a two -foot vertical
dimension may be permitted subject to the Director's
review and approval of said sign.
SECTION 7. Section 22.52.,890. of Chapter 22..52, Part 10 of
.the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita is hereby superseded and amended
to read as follows:
.22.52.890. Monument Signs. Monument signs shall be
permitted in commercial, industrial, and R -R zones subject
to the following:
A. Number and Frontage.`
1. Only one monument sign may be permitted on any lot
or parcel of land having a minimum of 100 feet of
continuous street or highway frontage. For the
purposes of calculating frontage on a corner lot,
frontage shall include the total linear distance of
said lot of each of the streets.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph A.1 above, in the event
any building has continuous street or highway
frontage exceeding 100 feet, 'one additional monument
sign shall be permitted for each 400 feet which
exceeds said continuous frontage of 100 feet. In no
event, however, shall a monument sign be located
closer then 250 feet from any other monument or
freestanding sign.
3. The intent of this ordinance is to. reduce the
number, -and hence the competitive clutter of
numerous freestanding pylon signs within the City.
To implement that intent, no parcel of land whereon
there exists a nonconforming freestanding pylon
sign(s) as of the effective date of this ordinance,
shall be allowed a monument sign unless at least one
existing pylon sign or billboard of equal or greater
sign area is first removed.
B. Area. A maximum of 45 square feet per sign face,
including the base, shall be permitted. A monument sign
shall have no more than two sign faces.
C. Ratio. The height to length ratio for monument signs
shall be less than or equal to 1 to 1.5. (1:1.5). In no
event shall the height of a monument sign exceed two
thirds (2/3) of its length.
,I
D. Height. The maximum height of a monument sign shall be
five feet except that the maximum height shall be 36
inches when such sign is located within 10 feet of a
property line. Such height shall be measured from the
elevation of the top of the curb fronting such sign when
within 10 feet of a street property line. When such
sign is set back from a property more than 10 feet, sign
height shall be measured from the elevation .of the
ground level surrounding the base of the sign.
E. Location of Monument Signs..
1. Monument signs shall. be set back a minimum of five
feet from any street or public right-of-way. The
area between such street or right-of-way and the
monument sign shall be attractively landscaped and
maintained to enhance the appearance of such sign.
2. No monument sign shall be located closer than 15
feet from the intersection of any. driveway and a
street or public right-of-way line.
3. No monument sign shall be located in such a manner
as to impede traffic sight visibility as determined
by the Director.
F. Lighting. Monument signs may be internally or
externally lighted, but may not cause excessive glare to
the detriment of traffic safety as. determined by the
Director.
SECTION 8. Section 22.52.900. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of
the County of Los Angeles- Planning and' Zoning Code as .adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita is hereby deleted.
SECTION 9. Section 22.52.910. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10 of
the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita is hereby superseded and amended
to read as follows:
22.52.910. Incidental Business Signs.
A. Each business establishment may be permitted one
incidental business sign provided:
1. That such sign is a wall mounted sign and,
2. That such sign does not exceed two square feet in
sign area.
B. This provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit the
use of ;similar signs of a larger size or in greater
numbers where otherwise permitted by.this Title 22. and
computed as part of the sign area permitted for business
signsas provided in Sections 22.52.880. through
22.52.920.
SECTION 10.. Section 22.52.970.F. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10
of the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted. by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita is hereby added to read as follows:
F. Freestanding Pylon Signs_ - Freeway and/or Automotive''
Oriented. If a site plan is first submitted to and
approved by the Director, as provided in Part 12 of .
Chapter 22.56, freestanding pylon signs may be permitted.
for freeway and/or automotive oriented uses subject to
the Director's review and approval'of said sign'.
SECTION 11. Section 22.52.990. A.5. of Chapter 22.52, Part
10 of the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita pertaining to prohibited' signs is
hereby superseded and amended to read as follows:
5. Any continuous or sequential flashing operation;
other then signs displaying time of day, atmospheric
temperature.
SECTION 12. Section 22.52.990.B. of Chapter 22.52, Part_10
of the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted by
reference by the City of Santa Clarita pertaining to prohibited'signs is
hereby superseded and amended to read as follows:
B. Revolvingsigns, all or. any portion of which rotate.
SECTION 13. Section 22.52.990.I. of Chapter 22.52, Part 10
of the. County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as adopted_ by
reference by the City of Santa. Clarita pertaining to prohibited signs is
hereby superseded and.amended to -read as follows:
I. Portable signs, except for temporary real estate signs.
as regulated by Section 22.52.940, and campaign signs.
SECTION 14. Section 22.52.990.K -N (inclusive) of Chapter
22.52, Part 10 of the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code as
".adopted by reference by "the City of Santa Clarita pertaining 'to
prohibited signs is hereby added to read as follows:
K. Multi -tenant signs
L. Projecting signs
M. Roof signs
N. Wall -painted signs
SECTION 15. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this ordinance and cause it to be published in the manner prescribed by
law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1990.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) ss
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA)
I, City Clerk of the City of Santa
Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 90=1 was
regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular
meeting of the City Council on the day of ,
1990. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a
regular meeting of the City Council on the day" of
1990, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
CITY CLERK
r
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
STAFF REPORT
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 89-005
DATE: December 19, 1989
TO:%ChA'rw Gar3-s-t and Members of the Planning Commission
XKKe
p an FROM: Fu /Y�kam�, Acfingtir"or of Community Development
LOCATION: Citywide
REQUEST: Proposed revisions to Sign Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION: 1. Recommend approval to the City Council of the
negative declaration.
.-.2. .-Recommend approval to the City Council of the
attached Draft Ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
At the Planning Commission Study Session of September 28, 1989, several
subjects were discussed pertaining to proposed revisions to the sign
section of the City's Zoning Ordinance. Upon conclusion of the study
session, it was agreed that the following revisions to the sign
requirements would be addressed in an interim draft ordinance for the
Commission's consideration.
ANALYSIS:
A summary chart of proposed modifications to the sign ordinance which
indicates existing and proposed provisions is attached for your
reference. The proposed changes in the attached draft ordinance are.also
briefly described as follows:
1. Elimination of the Following Types of Signs:
A. Roof signs. Although not a major problem in the City yet,
roof signs generally appear as afterthoughts which are
attached to the top of buildings that are not properly
integrated into the building design. Their height and size
is often excessive.
B. Flashing, rotating and scintillating signs. (These signs
are already partially prohibited). Presently prohibited are
programmable electronic messages in which more than
one-third of the lights are turned on or off.at one time, or
if a programmable sign is located less than 100 feet on the
same side of the street or highway from residentially or
agriculturally zoned property. Staff proposes to prohibit
all flashing signs except those displaying the time of day
and atmospheric temperature. Rotating signs are presently
permitted only if they rotate at a maximum of 6 revolutions
per minute. The sign ordinance revisions would prohibit all
rotating signs.
C. Signs painted directly on wall surfaces.The Commission
expressed a preference for signs that have a
three-dimensional element. The proposed ordinance would
prohibit painted wall signs except for incidental signs such
as directional and/or informational signs, which may not
exceed 12 to 24 square feet in area.
D. Multi -tenant signs. This type of sign has been defined and
then added .to the list of prohibited signs in order to.
reduce sign clutter and information overload.
E. Pylon signs. Freestanding signs supported by a :pole,
column, or other support device, other than a monument
sign. The Commission expressed a desire to allow
consideration of freeway and'automotive-related pylon signs
on a case by case basis. The draft ordinance provides for
these types. of sign 'uses subject to the Director's Review
section in the code. Under the provisions proposed, the
only type of freestanding sign permitted would be a monument
sign with the two exceptions noted.
F. Portable signs. Most portable signs are already. prohibited,
however, some exceptions are permitted in the current code.
For clarity and ease of administration, all portable signs
have been prohibited in the proposed ordinance revision..
G. Projecting signs. Projecting` signs are signs that are
generally located at a right angle to a building. The code
presently defines a projecting sign as any sign that
projects. more than 18 inches from a building face. This
type of sign extends outward from the building in a fashion
similar to freestanding pole sign. The draft ordinance
prohibits projecting signs, however, it .should be noted that
smaller signs which extend 18 inches or less would still be
allowed.
2.. Reduction of Present Standards
A. The existing allowable sign area for a wall sign is
presently two to three square. feet per. lineal foot of
building frontage. This has been reduced to one square foot
per lineal foot of building frontage in the proposed
ordinance. This is the. most common standard for City Sign
Ordinances.
B. Height (or vertical width of individual signs, or letters of
channel -cut signs). is not presently regulated. Staff
proposes a two foot height (vertical -width)_of a -sign face
with Director's review for consideration of additional
height of letters/signs for capital lettering and when .the
sign would be set back a substantial distance from .the
street.
3. Creation of New Standards
Consistent- with the trend in many progressive cities, the
Commission expressed .an interest in limiting new freestanding
signs to the monument type of.signs (with the two .possible
exceptions mentioned above - freeway and automotive oriented
signs.) Standards within the proposed ordinance include:
A.. A 45 square -foot limit with a width. to height ratio of a
maximum of 3:2. This is to emphasize. that a monument sign
should be greater. in width than height to create a low
profile appearance.
B. A minimum of a five foot landscaped setback from a street
would be required.
C. A 36 inch height limit would be established within 10 feet
of a property line (for adequate sight distance.)
'D. A 15 foot distance .from a driveway would be required (also
for adequate sight distance.)
To accomplish the. above revisions;it is.also necessary to amend the
ordinance to add new definitions for: '"Sign, Wall -painted", "Sign,
Multi -tenant", "Sign, Pylon", "Sign, Monument", and "Sign, .
Automotive -oriented".
The provisions of the draft interim ordinance are meant to address the
major concerns with the present County inherited code so that the present
sign situation is not worsened while awaiting a -comprehensive sign_
ordinance. The comprehensive sign ordinance will be prepared subsequent
to the General Plan and is expected to include amortization schedules to
gradually.eliminate nonconforming signs.
It is important to note that. this ordinance does not contain provisions
to amortize and gradually eliminate existing; legal signs that do not
conform to the provisions of this ordinance. Therefore, existing
non -conforming signs will be allowed to remain in their present state
except portable signs which are not permanent, and pylon signs when
monument signs are being added as provided in Section 22.52.890 of the
proposed ordinance. Additionally, changes in tenant signs may require
conformance with the. new ordinance when modifications of the sign
structure is necessitated pursuant. to the provisions of the
"nonconforming uses" section of the code.
ATTACHMENTS: -
1. Summary Chart
2. Negative Declaration
3. Draft Ordinance
I
i
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED
MODIFICATIONS TO SIGN ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE,
EXISTING
PROPOSED
SEC. NO.
CODE
CHANGE
3.
Definitions not presently
Adds 5 new definitions.
included.
4.
Permits portable outdoor
Prohibits portable outdoor .
signs.
signs.
5.
Regulates business signs
Regulates business signs .
in agricultural & special
more stringently: sign
purpose zones: permits
area limited to 12 sq.
signs up to 60 sq. ft. in
ft., ht. limited to 3 ft.,
area, 15 ft. in ht., allows
allows only monument signs
pylon, projecting, and roof-
as freestanding signs,
top signs.
limits projecting signs to
an 18 in. projection, and
prohibits rooftop signs.
6.
Allows wall sign area 2
Reduces wall sign area to
to 3 sq. ft./lineal ft.,
1 sq. ft./lineal ft. in
defines height permitted
all zones, simplifies and
in relation to roofline,
prohibits ht. of sign from
does not regulate vertical
extending above a roof
dimension of a sign.
line. Limits vertical
dimension of a wall sign
to 2 ft., with exceptions.
7.
Allows roof and free-
Prohibits roof signs,
standing signs (may be
requires any new
pylon signs.)
freestanding signs to be
monument signs, and sets
forth development
standards for monument
signs.
8.
Allows projecting business
Prohibits projecting
signs.
business signs.
9.
Permits incidental business
Provides new, more
signs.
limiting development
standards for.incidental
signs.
10.
(Section presently
Adds new language to allow
non-existent).
for freeway and automotive
oriented pylon signs,
requires Director's Review
for these signs. -----____
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Attachment 1
Page 2
11.
Prohibits certain flash-
Prohibits all flashing
ing signs with limitations
signs except those
as to amount of lighting
displaying date, time, and
and if located less than
temperature.
100 ft. from residential
or agricultural zones..
12.
Permitsrevolvingsigns
Prohibits all revolving
which rotate no faster
signs.
than 6 revolutions per
minute.
13.
Among -the list of prohibit-
Exceptions have been
ed signs are "portable
removed. All portable
signs".(with exceptions.)
signs are prohibited.
(Section presently
14.
non-existent).
Adds the following signs
to the list of prohibited
signs: Multi -tenant,
projecting, roof, and wall
painted.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
N E G A T I V E D E C L A R A T I O N
CERTIFICATION DATE:
APPLICANT: City of Santa Clarita
TYPE OF PERMIT: Zoning Ordinance Amendment
FILE NO.: ZOA-89-005
LOCATION OF THE PROJECT: Citywide
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: Amendments to Section 22.08.190 and Chapter
22.52 part 10 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code (Definitions and Signs).
[X] City Council
It is the determination of the [X] Planning Commission
[ ] Director of Community Development
upon review that the project will not have a significant
effect upon the environment.
Mitigation measures [ ] are attached
[X]' zf ie not att�e ed/J /, "_) , •
Form completed by:
(Si nature)
Mike A. Rubin, Associate Planner
(Name and Title)
Date of Public Notice: November 29, 1989
[X] Legal advertisement.
[ ] Posting of properties.
[ ] Written notice.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSI#
(Initial Study Form B)
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
CASE'NO. ZOA-89-005 Prepared by: Michael A. Rubin
Project Location: Citywide
Project Description and Setting: Proposed revisions to the sign code of
the zoning ordinance, primarily commercial and industrial zones within
the City
General Plan Designation: N/A
Zoning: All zones
Applicant: City of Santa Clarita
Environmental Constraint Areas: None
A. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Fv
Earth. -Will the proposal result in:
a. Unstable earth conditions or in changes
in geologic substructures.? ....... ... .....
b. Disruptions, displacements, compaction
or overcovering of the soil? ...............
C. Change in topography or ground surface
relieffeatures? ...........................
d. The destruction., covering or modification
of any unique geologic or physical
features? ....................................
e. Any increase in wind.or water erosion of
soils, either on or off the site? ..........
f. Exposure of people or property to geologic
hazards such as earthquakes, landslides,
mudslides, ground failure, or similar
hazards? .....................
g.. Changes..in,.,deposit ion, erosion or
siltation? ................................
h. Other modification of a wash, channel,
creek,-., or.. river? - ........................... .
YES MAYBE NO
[ J [ ] [XJ
[ ] [ ] [X]
2.
3.
i. Earth movement (cut and/or fill) of 10,000
cubic yards or more? ..
j. Development and/or grading on a slope
greater than 25% natural grade? ............
.k. Development within the Alquist-Priolo
Special Studies Zone? ......................
1. Other?
Air. Will the proposal result in:
a. Substantial air emissions or deterioration
of ambient air quality? ....................
b. The creation of objectionable odors? .......
C. Alteration of air movement, moisture, or
temperature, or any change in climate,
either locally or regionally? ..............
d. Development within a high wind,hazard
area? ......................................
e. Other?
Water. Will the proposal result in:
a. Changes in absorption rates, drainage
patterns, or the rate and amount of
surfacerunoff? ............................
b. Alterations to the course or flow of
flood waters? .......................
C. Change in the amount of surface water
in any water body? ..... ... .....
d. Discharge into surface waters, or in any
--alteration of surface water quality, in-
cluding but not limited to temperature,
dissolved oxygen or turbidity? .............
e. Alteration of the direction or rate of
flow of ground waters? .....................
f. Change in the quantity of ground waters,
either through direct additions or with-
drawals, or through interception of an
aquif.er.., by.,..,cuts.,...or., excavations?. _ .................
g. Substantial reduction in the amount of
water otherwise available for public
_...,,.water,. supplies? ............................
YES MAYBE NO
[ l [ l [Xl
[ ] [ l [Xl
[ ] [ l [XI
C l [ l [XI
[x]
[X]
[ l [ l [XI
[ ] [ l [Xl
[ l [ l IX
[ l [ l [Xl
[ l [ l [XI
[Xl
•
-'3 -
•
YES MAYBE NO
h.
Exposure of people or property to water
related hazards such as flooding? ..........
[.] [ ] [X]
i.
Other?
[ J [ J [X]
4.
Plant Life. Will the proposal result in:
a.
Change in the diversity of species or number
of any species of plants (including trees,
shrubs, grasses, crops, and microflora)? ...
[ ] [ ] [X]
b.
'Reduction of the numbers of any unique,
rare or endangered species of plants? ...
[ ] [ ] [XJ
C.
Introduction of new species of plants into
an area, or in a barrier to the normal re-
plenishment of existing species? ...........
[ ] [ ] [X]
d.
Reduction in acreage of any agricultural
crop? ........ ...... ....................
[ l [ J [XJ
5.
Animal Life. Will the proposal result in:
a.
Change in the diversity of species, or
numbers of any species of animals (birds,
land animals including reptiles, fish and
insects or microfauna)? .....................
[ ] [ ] [X]
b.
Reduction of the numbers of any unique,
rare or endangered species of animals? .....
[ ] [ ] [X]
C.
Introduction of new species of animals
into an area, or result in a barrier to
the migration or movement of animals? ......
[ ] [ ] [X]
d.
Deterioration to existing fish or wildlife
habitat and/or migratory routes? ...........
[ ] [ ] [X]
6.
Noise. Will the proposal result in:
.a. .
Increases in existing noise levels? ........
[ ] [ ] [X]
b.
Exposure of -people to severe or
unacceptable noise levels? .................
[ ] [ ] [X]
C.
Exposure of people to severe vibrations?
[ ] [ ] [X]
7.
Light and, Glare. Will the proposal produce
substantial new light or glare? .................
[ ] [ J [X]
8.
__.,Land,,Use,...,-,....Will.-the
. proposal result..in:
a.
Substantial alteration of the present
land use of an area? .......................
[ ] [ I [X]
b.
A substantial alteration of the
planned land use of an area? ...............
[ ] [ ] [X]
I
C. A use that does not adhere to existing
zoninglaws? ..............................
d. A use that does not adhere to established
development criteria? ...
9. Natural Resources. Will the proposal result in:
a. Increase in the rate of use of any natural
resources? .................................
b. Substantial depletion of any nonrenewable
natural resources? ..........................
10. Risk of Upset/Man-Made Hazards. Will the proposal:
a. Involve a risk of an explosion or the release
of hazardous substances (including, but not
limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or
radiation) in the event of an accident or
upsetconditions? ..........................
b. Use, store, transport or dispose of hazard-
ous or toxic materials (including, but not
limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or
radiation)? ..............................
C. Possible interference with an emergency
response plan or an emergency evacuation
plan? ............................
d. Otherwise expose people to potential safety
hazards?...................................
11. Population. Will the proposal:
a'. Alter the location, distribution,
density, or growth rate of the human
population of an area? .....................
b. Other?
12. Housing. Will the proposal:
'a. 'Remove or otherwise affect existing
housing, or create a demand for.
additional housing? ........................
b. Other?
13 Trannsportation/Circulation._�Will the..--proposal
result in:
a. Generation of substantial additional
...,,,,:,vehicular:movement? .........................
YES MAYBE NO
[ ] [ I. [X]
[' ] [ ] [X]
[ ] [ ] [X]
[ ] [ ] [X]
[ ] [ ] [X]
[ l [ ] [X]
[ ] [ ] [X]
[ ] [ ] [X]
YES MAYBE NO
b.
Effects on existing parking facilities,
or demand for new parking? .................
[ ] [ ] [X]
C.
Substantial impact upon existing
transportation systems, including public
transportation? ................... ........
[ ] [ ] [X]
d.
Alterations to present patterns of
circulation or movement of people
and/or goods? ..............................
[.l [ l [Xl
e.
Increase in traffic hazards to motor
vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? .......
[ ] [ ] [X]
f.
A disjointed pattern of roadway
improvements? ..............................
[ ] [ l (XI
14. Public Services. Will the proposal have ari
effect upon, or result in a need for new or
altered governmental services in any of the
following areas:
a.
Fire protection? ...........................
[ ] [ ] [X]
b.
Police protection? .........................
[ ] [ ] [X]
C.
Schools? ...................................
[ l [ l [Xl
d.
Parks or other recreational facilities? ....
[ ] [ ] [X]
e.
Maintenance of public facilities,
including roads? ............ ........ ...
[ ] [ ] [X]
15. Energy. Will the proposal result in?
a.
Use of substantial amounts of fuel or
energy. ....................................
[ l [ 7 [XI
b.
Substantial increase in demand upon
existing sources of energy, or require
..-the--development
of new sources of
energy? ....................................
[ l [ l [Xl
16. Utilities. Will the proposal result in a need
..for
new systems, or substantial alterations to
the
following utilities:
a.
Power or natural gas? ......................
[ ] [ ] [X]
b.
Communications systems? ....................
[ ] [ ] [X]
C..
Water systems? ..............................
[ l [ l [Xl
d.
Sanitary sewer systems? ....................
[ ] [ ] [X].
e.
Storm drainage systems? ....................
[ ] [ ] [X]
- 6 -
YES MAYBE NO
f. Solid waste and disposal systems? ..........
[ ] [ ] [X]
g. Will the proposal result in a disjointed
or inefficient pattern of delivery system
improvements for any of the above? .........
[ ] [ ] [X]
17. Human Health. Will the proposal result in:
a. Creation of any health hazard or potential
health hazard (excluding mental health)? ...
[ ] [ ] [X]
b. Exposure of people to potential health
hazards?...................................
[ ] [ ] [X]
18. Aesthetics. Will the proposal result in:
a. The obstruction of any scenic vista or
view open to the public? ...................
[ ] [ I. [X]
b. Will the proposal result in the creation
of an aesthetically offensive site
open to public view? .......................
[ ] [ ] [X]
C. Will the visual impact of the proposal
be detrimental to the surrounding area? .:..
[ ] [ ] [X]
19. Recreation. Will the proposal result in an
impact upon the quality or quantity of existing
recreational opportunities? .....................
[ ] [ ] [X]
20. Cultural Resources.
a. Will the proposal result in the alteration.
of or the destruction of a prehistoric or
historic archaeological site? ..............
[ ] [ ] [X]
b. Will the proposal result in adverse physical.
or aesthetic effects to a prehistoric or
historic building, structure, or object? ...
[ ] [ ] [X]
c. Does the proposal have the potential to
cause a physical change which would affect
unique ethnic cultural values? .............
[ ] [ ] [X]
-d. Will the proposal restrict existing
religious or sacred uses within the
potential impact area? ......................
[ ] [ ] [X],
•
- 7 -
C. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
•
Section 15065 of the California Environmental Quality Act states, in
part, that if any of the following can be answered yes or maybe, the
project may have a significant effect on the environment and an
Environmental Impact Report shall be prepared.
YES. MAYBE NO
1. Does the project have the potential to degrade
the quality of the environment, substantially reduce
the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a
fish or wildlife population to drop below self sus-
taining levels, threaten to eliminate a. plant or
animal community, reduce the number or restrict.the
range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or
eliminate.important examples of the major periods
of California history or prehistory? [ ] [ ] [X]
2. Does the project have the potential to achieve
short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term,
environmental goals? (A short-term impact on the
environment is one which occurs in a relatively
brief, definitive period of time while long-term
impacts will endure well into the future.) ........... [ ] [ ] [X]
3. Does the project have impacts which are
individually limited but cumulatively considerable?
(A project may impact on two or more separate
resources where the impact on each resource is
relatively small, but where the effect of the total
of those impacts on the environment is significant.) .. [ ] [ ] [X]
4. Does the project have environmental effects
which will cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or indirectly? [ ] [ ] [X]
D. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION
Various amendments.are proposed to the City's sign ordinance. The
existing ordinance is part of the county -inherited zoning ordinance.
The existing standards are perceived to'be quite lenient and allow more
„than a•reasonable amount of sign space. A need exists to -regulate the .
bulk, height, and aesthetics of signs to a greater extent than what
presently appears in the City's sign ordinance.
,A -series of revisions proposed by this�i'nterim ordinance amendment are
intended to improve the visual qualities of the urban form of the City
of Santa Clarita. -No actual work of installing signs will result from
this ordinance, therefore no adverse environmental effects will occur.
At such .time as sign permits are requested for actual sign installation,
Any required environmental review will be conducted at that time.
E. DETERMINATION
On the basis of this Initial Study, it is determined that:
The proposed project COULD NOT have a significant
effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION
WILL BE PREPARED. .................................... [X]
Although the proposed project COULD have a significant
effect on the environment, there WILL NOT be a
significant effect in this case because the
mitigation measures described in this Initial Study
have been added to the project. A NEGATIVE DECLARATION
WILL BE PREPARED ..................................... [
The proposed project MAY have a significant effect on
the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
isrequired. ......................................... [ l
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF SANTA CLARITAI CALIFORNIA
November 29, 1989
Date
Michael A. Rubin, Associate Planner
Name and Title