HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2016 Item 13, CooperITEM NO.: 13
From: A. Cooper <
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2016 12:37 PM
To: E-mail Council Website; Bell, Kyle; Codron, Michael RECEIVED
Subject: Public Hearing Item #13 - 1144 Chorro Street Appeal
Attachments: 211_12_16... discoveryslo.pdf NOV 14 2016
SRC] CITY CLERK
Dear Michael and Kyle -
Would you kindly see to it that the attached letter is received by the
Council before their Tuesday meeting? Thanks!
- Allan
From:
Allan Cooper
Professor Emeritus, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
I
COUNC'dT
ITEM NO.: 3 RECEIVED
NOV 14 2016
To: SLO Citv Council sLo CITY CLERK__
Regarding: 1144 Chorro Appeal
From: Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo
Date: November 12, 2016
Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
It is simply incomprehensible to us why the ARC would defy staff's
recommendations, blatantly ignore five sections of the City's
Sign Regulations and establish a precedent for sign proliferation
with its associated visual clutter in our Downtown Core. Staff was
unable to make the findings necessary to approve three "wall
signs" on one elevation and recommended removal of the neon lit
raised letter sign to reduce clutter. As the Sign Regulations state:
"It is necessary to regulate the size, type and location of signs
to ... provide equality and equity among sign owners and those
who wish to use signs."
These signs are in violation of the following sections: Section
15.40.440 "Clearance": "... the maximum projection over a
public sidewalk shall be two-thirds (2/3) the width of the side
walk or 6 feet, whichever is less." This marquee sign projects an
additional 1 foot 2 inches over the public sidewalk.
Section 15.40.460 "Sign Standards by District: Zoning District C-
D": maximum number of signs per tenant: "4 signs per tenant
space". The ARC permitted 6 signs excluding the marquee sign.
"Maximum Cumulative Sign Area Per Tenant Space": "200 sq. ft.".
The ARC allowed a total sign area of 330 square feet.
Section 15.40.470 "Sign Standards by Sign Type": "Wall signs
with changeable copy are limited to 6 square feet." The
changeable copy marquee sign is 152 sq. ft. in area.
"Projecting signs may have a maximum area of ... 12 square feet
in the ... C -D (Downtown Commercial)...". The raised letter sign
projecting above the awning is 66 sq. ft. in area.
In conclusion, permit us to emphasize that the City's Sign
Regulations state the following: "in no case may the maximum
number or size of signs, or their illumination levels, exceed the
standards provided by Section 15.40.460 (Sign Standards by
District)." These multiple sign exceptions constitute a grant of
special privilege toward the tenant and property owner. In light of
"special privilege, we disagree with Finding #5 which states in part
that "the proposed marquee sign is ... typical of other theater -like
uses...". There are five other "theater -like" uses associated with
bars downtown and none of them have marquees. If this project is
approved these other bars will have every right to request and be
granted a marquee as well.
We therefore recommend that you uphold this appeal and send
this project proposal back to the ARC with direction. Thank you.
Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo