ARC 2018-04-02_08b The Hive SR
MEMORANDUM
TO: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
FROM: MATTHEW DOWNING, PLANNING MANAGER
BY: CHRISTOPHER TURNER, PLANNING INTERN
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SIGN PERMIT 18-002; ONE
(1) NEW WALL SIGN; LOCATION – 119 EAST BRANCH STREET;
APPLICANT- THE HIVE; REPRESENTATIVE – TRACY SONNY
DATE: APRIL 2, 2018
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) review the proposed
sign plans and make a recommendation to the Community Development Director.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Location
The subject property is zoned Village Core Downtown (VCD), is located in the D-2.4
Historic Character Overlay District, and requires review by the ARC for compliance with
the Design Guidelines and Standards for Historic Districts (the “Design Guidelines”).
119 East Branch Street
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SIGN PERMIT 18-002
APRIL 2, 2018
PAGE 2
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Project Description
The applicant proposes to repurpose an existing frame for one (1) new wall sign for a
new home décor business. The existing frame is approximately twenty one (21) square
feet. The design and materials are as follows:
Projecting Sign
Materials: Wood
Colors: Background: Beige
Main lettering: Black
Message: The Hive
Size: 24” x 125’’ (21 square feet)
Number: 1 wall sign
Illumination: N/A
Location: Above main entrance
In accordance with the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC), the property is allowed
one (1) wall sign. With a building frontage of fifteen feet (15’), the property would be
permitted up to thirty (30’) square feet of signage. At twenty one (21’) square feet, the
proposed signage meets all development standards of the AGMC.
The proposed sign’s colors and materials meet the requirements of the Design
Guidelines, which call for metal or wooden signage. The existing blank wooden sign is
beige in color with a boarder approximately four inches (4”) in depth. The applicant
proposes to paint the boarder of the existing sign black to add depth to the framing and
match the proposed black lettering. The proposed sign has no associated illumination.
The Design Guidelines state that signs painted onto unfinished brick or stone are not
appropriate for the Village. However, painted signs are allowed on finished wood or
stucco buildings, subject to recommendation by the Architectural Review Committee.
The existing frame is made of wood, and is placed upon a finished wood structure.
Therefore, the sign is allowed in the Village subject to recommendation by the
Committee.
ADVANTAGES:
The proposed signage meets the requirements of the Village Design Guidelines and the
Arroyo Grande Municipal Code, and the detailing will complement the character of the
Village.
DISADVANTAGES:
None identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The project was reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt per Section 15311(a) of the
Guidelines regarding new construction of an on premise sign.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SIGN PERMIT 18-002
APRIL 2, 2018
PAGE 3
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54654.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Design Guidelines pages 36-38
2. Project Plans (Available for public review at City Hall)
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GUIDELINES & STANDARDS FOR H ISTORIC D ISTRICTS
Signs, Awnings and Rear
Entries
SIGNS
General
1.Signs shall meet all requirements of the
Development Code, and the provisions
of these Guidelines and Standards for
the district in which it is located. If a
conflict arises between the Development
Code and these Guidelines and
Standards, the most restrictive
requirements shall apply.
2.All signs, except Community
Development Director approved
window signs, shall be subject to review
by the Architectural Review Committee
(ARC).
3.Signs shall be oriented to pedestrians
and slow moving vehicle traffic. This
means that signs shall be smaller and on
more of a human scale than signs in
other commercial districts.
4.Painted wall signs are not appropriate on
facades of unpainted brick or stone.
Signs painted directly on unpainted or
unfinished walls are not appropriate for
the Village Core Downtown and Mixed
Use districts. Wall signs painted on
finished wood and/or painted brick,
stone or stucco surfaces are allowed
subject to ARC recommendation.
Removing or altering painted signs can
cause damage to the surface material.
Size
1.Signs shall not completely cover kick
plates or window transoms.
2.All signage is included in the sign area
allowed in the Development Code. This
includes window and awning signs,
logos and graphic representations that
identify the business, product sold, or
service offered.
3.Window signs shall not exceed twenty
percent (20%) of the window area in
which they appear.
4.Sign materials and lettering styles shall
be consistent with the historic period.
Location
1.Signs shall be located in relation to the
bays on the façade. Signs shall not
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ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GUIDELINES & STANDARDS FOR H ISTORIC D ISTRICTS
obscure architectural features of the
building.
2. Wall signs shall be located near the
entry to the building to better relate to
pedestrian traffic.
3. Window and door signs shall be applied
where they will not obstruct visibility.
4. Signs on awnings or canopies shall be
placed where pedestrians can see them.
Under-canopy signs are encouraged in
the Village Core Downtown District to
enhance pedestrian orientation, and shall
be counted as part of the total allowable
sign area.
Materials
1. Signs shall be built of wood, metal or
other materials that simulate the
appearance of wood or metal.
2. The use of wood-simulating recycled
plastic material is subject to
Architectural Review Committee (ARC)
approval.
3. High gloss, shiny or reflective surfaces
may be used as accents, but shall not be
used as the predominant sign material.
4. Signs may use raised images or painted
images in their design.
5. Sign materials shall complement the
building material, and shall be in
keeping with the historic character of
the Village.
6. Signs painted on a signboard or other
thin material shall be framed on all sides
to provide depth and a finished look to
the sign. Sign frames shall include
carved or routed details or otherwise be
designed to complement the
architectural design of the building or
district.
7. Interior lit and metal canister, plastic
and vacuum-formed letters or sign faces
are not permitted unless specifically
recommended by the Architectural
Review Committee (ARC).
Colors
1. Sign colors shall complement the
building color scheme.
2. Bright, intense colors are inappropriate
including the use of fluorescent, “neon”
or “day-glo” colors on signs.
3. All applications for sign permits shall
include a sample of the intended color
palette.
37
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GUIDELINES & STANDARDS FOR H ISTORIC D ISTRICTS
Sign Illumination
1. Signs may be externally illuminated
with incandescent lights, or other
lighting that does not produce glare and
is designed to conserve energy.
2. Wall, canopy, or projecting signs may
be illuminated from concealed sources
or exposed ornamental fixtures that
complement the building’s architecture.
3. Window signs and window displays
may be illuminated from concealed
sources.
4. Neon tubing signs that approximate the
appearance of historic neon are subject
to approval of the Architectural Review
Committee. All neon tubing shall be
covered with transparent or translucent
material to prevent rupture or shall be
certified by the manufacturer for safety.
AWNINGS AND CANOPIES
1. Under-awning or under-canopy signs
oriented to pedestrian traffic are
encouraged as part of the overall
signage in the Village Core Downtown
and Mixed Use districts.
2. All graphics, logos, and signs contained
on awnings or canopies shall be
considered part of the total allowed sign
area as defined in the Development
Code.
3. Awning or canopy color and design
should be compatible with that of the
building on which it is attached and
complement those of adjacent buildings,
both in style and color.
4. Canopies and awnings shall be
consistent with the historic period in
regard to size, shape, and materials.
Aluminum, fiberglass and plastic
awnings or canopies are not appropriate.
The use of loose valances and traditional
vintage-stripped awning material is
encouraged. Canopies and awnings
consisting of materials stretched taut
over a rigid framework are not
appropriate.
REAR ENTRIES
1. Rear entries are traditionally plain and
unadorned. Common materials include
brick, stone, boards and battens and
wood siding, and these are acceptable
for new construction or renovation.
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ATTACHMENT 2