HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4 - ARCH-1760-2018 (1251 Calle Joaquin) BMW sign program
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: Architectural review of a sign program for the new BMW of San Luis Obispo auto
dealership, including a request to allow a sign that will be approximately 34 feet above the adjacent
grade where 25 feet above grade is normally allowed.
PROJECT ADDRESS: 1251 Calle Joaquin BY: Kyle Van Leeuwen, Planning Technician
e-mail: kvanleeuwen@slocity.org
VIA: Tyler Corey, Principal Planner
FILE NUMBER: ARCH-1760-2018 FROM: Doug Davidson, Deputy Director
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the draft resolution approving the proposed Sign Program, based
on findings, and subject to conditions of approval.
SITE DATA
Applicant Richard A. Rice, R&R Custom Signs
Complete Date September 13, 2018
Zoning Tourist Commercial with a Special
Focus overlay (C-T-SF)
General Plan Tourist Commercial
Site Area 2.72 acres
Environmental
Status
Categorically exempt from
environmental review under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15311 (Accessory
Structures)
SUMMARY
On April 4, 2016, the ARC approved plans for a new auto dealership at 1251 Calle Joaquin.
Included with the resolution approving the project was a condition requiring the approval of a
comprehensive sign program. The applicant, Richard Rice of R&R Custom Signs, is requesting
ARC approval of a sign program for BMW of San Luis Obispo. The proposed sign program
includes specifications for all signs for the property. The sign program includes exceptions to the
sign regulations for a sign higher than 25 feet above adjacent grade and for directional signs that are
four feet in height where three feet is the maximum height allowed by the sign regulations.
1.0 COMMISSION’S PURVIEW
The ARC’s role is to review the project in terms of its consistency with the Sign Regulations and
the Community Design Guidelines applicable to signs.
Meeting Date: October 15, 2018
Item Number: 4
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2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION
Site Information/Setting
The project site is approximately 2.72 acres in size and located within the Tourist Commercial zone
of the Calle Joaquin Auto Sales Special Focus Area (C-T-SF). The site is relatively flat with
construction of the auto dealership currently underway. The surrounding neighborhood is comprised
of agricultural open space, auto dealerships, a Motel 6, vacant lots and a new hotel approved for the
vacant lot located immediately to the south of the subject property.
Project Description
The project proposes a Sign Program for BMW of San Luis Obispo (Attachment 2, Reduced Project
Plans). Including:
a. A primary east-facing wall sign with the dealership name.
b. A secondary east-facing sign that identifies the service entrance.
c. A “BMW” logo to be placed near the top of the structure facing north
d. One pole sign near the entrance to the site.
e. Two directional signs placed along the primary driveways
3.0 PROJECT ANALYSIS
The applicant has submitted a sign program as required by previous ARC approval of the building
(Attachment 3, Resolution ARC-1005-16, Condition #4). The Sign Program proposes four signs
that identify the dealership and service center, comprised of three wall signs and one pole sign. Two
directional signs for the site are also proposed. Directional signs are identified in the Sign
Regulations as a type of sign exempt from requiring a sign permit within certain size and dimension
limitations. These directional signs are analyzed separately from the primary signage.
Primary Signage
The sign standards for the Tourist Commercial (C -T) zone allow for two signs per tenant space with
a maximum cumulative sign area of 200 sq. ft. The sign program proposes four signs with a
cumulative sign area of approximately 187 sq. ft. (Table 1).
Table 1: Proposed Primary Signage
Sign Sq. Ft. Illumination Height Above Grade Exceptions Requested
Wall Sign A 93.16 Internal LED 13 ft None
Wall Sign B 22.00 Internal LED 12 ft None
Wall sign C 29.50 Internal LED 36 ft Sign height above 25 feet
Pole sign 42.20 Externally lit 16 ft None
Accumulative 186.86
Although the overall number of signs is more than normally allowed for a single tenant (two
allowed, four proposed), staff does support the four signs proposed for the project. This is because;
1) The proposed signs are consistent with the intent of the Sign Regulations in regard to being
architecturally compatible with the structure, 2) The size and visibility of the structure
accommodates four signs without a detrimental “accumulation” effect or visual clutter, 3) The
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dealership offers separate areas for sales and service, which function similarly to having two
separate tenants, and 4) the cumulative area of the primary signage is less than 200 sq. ft., which is
within the maximum allowed for the zone.
The proposed signage also includes a 29.5 sq. ft. logo sign, which will be located near the top of the
structure approximately 36 feet above grade, where the sign regulations (Section 15.40.420) set a
maximum height limit of 25 feet for any sign. Staff finds that an exception to this limit can be
supported because this location is compatible with the architecture of the building and, due to its
location adjacent to Highway 101, is justified to provide clear identification of the dealership to
passing automobile traffic.
Directional Signs
Two directional signs are proposed with the sign program. Directional signs are typically exempt
from the sign regulations (Section 14.40.200 G. Traffic Safety Signs) within certain limit s on height
and square footage. The proposed directional signs are consistent with this section in regard to area
but are proposed at four feet in height where three feet is normally allowed. Staff finds that this
exception is minor in nature and architecturally compatible with the sign program, and therefore is
supported.
4.0 ALTERNATIVES & RECOMMENDATION
4.1. Continue the project with direction to the applicant and staff on pertinent issues.
4.2. Deny the project based on findings of inconsistency with the Sign Regulations and
Community Design Guidelines.
5.0 ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution
2. Sign Program
3. Resolution ARC-1005-16
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RESOLUTION NO. ARC-XXXX-2018
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURAL
REVIEW COMMISSION APPROVING A SIGN PROGRAM FOR THE
BMW OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP WITH A
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, AS
REPRESENTED IN THE STAFF REPORT AND ATTACHMENTS DATED
OCTOBER 15, 2018 (1251 CALLE JOAQUIN ARCH-1760-2018)
WHEREAS, the Architectural Review Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo adopted
resolution ARC-1005-16 approving the development of a commercial lot to a new auto dealership
on April 4, 2016, and this resolution included Condition #4 requiring the development of a
comprehensive sign program for the project; and
WHEREAS, the Architectural Review Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo
conducted a public hearing in the Council Hearing Room of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, on October 15, 2018, pursuant to a proceeding instituted under ARCH-1760-
2018, R&R Custom Signs, applicant; and
WHEREAS, the Architectural Review Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo has
duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of the applicant, interested parties, and
evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing.
WHEREAS, notices of said public hearing were made at the time and in the manner
required by law; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Architectural Review Commission of the
City of San Luis Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. The Architectural Review Commission hereby grants final
approval to the project (ARCH-1760-2018), based on the following findings:
1. The proposed sign program is consistent with the Sign Regulations because the signage
will be architecturally compatible with the new structure and the character of surrounding
development, while providing for effective identification for the business.
2. The proposed sign program is consistent with Community Design Guidelines Sections
6.6(B)(C)(F)(J) which states that the design of the signs should consider and complement
the architecture of the building and the type of business activity conducted within.
3. The proposed location of the “BMW” logo sign, which is placed approximately 36 feet
above grade on the north-facing wall of the structure, where 25 feet from grade is normally
allowed by the Sign Regulations, is appropriate because it is compatible with the
architecture of the structure and, due to its location adjacent to Highway 101, is justified to
provide clear identification of the dealership to passing automobile traffic.
Attachment 1
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Resolution No. ARC-xxxx-2018
ARCH-1760-2018 (1251 Calle Joaquin)
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4. The two proposed directional signs, which are four feet in height, where three feet is
normally allowed by the Sing Regulations, is appropriate because it is architecturally
compatible with the other signage in the sign program.
SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The project is categorically exempt under Class 11,
Accessory Structures; §15311 of the CEQA Guidelines, because the project consists of minor on
premise signs accessory to existing commercial facilities that will not have a significant effect on
the environment.
SECTION 3. Action. The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) hereby grants final
approval to the project with incorporation of the following conditions:
Planning Division
1. Plans submitted for a building permit must be in substantial conformance with the submittal
provided for this entitlement. Modifications to this sign program or additional signage may
require addition review by the Architectural Review Commission or the Community
Development Director, as deemed appropriate.
Indemnification
2. The applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City and/or its agents, officers
and employees from any claim, action or proceeding against the City and/or its agents, officers
or employees to attack, set aside, void or annul, the approval by the City of this project, and
all actions relating thereto, including but not limited to environmental review (“Indemnified
Claims”). The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any Indemnified Claim upon being
presented with the Indemnified Claim and the City shall fully cooperate in the defense against
an Indemnified Claim.
On motion by Commissioner ____, seconded by Commissioner _______, and on the following
roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
REFRAIN:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 15th day of October 2018.
_____________________________
Doug Davidson, Secretary
Architectural Review Commission
Attachment 1
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