PC R 93-1414RESOLU'I'ION NO. �3 - 1414
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNINC COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM 92-107 FOR
STGNS ASSOCIATED WITH A GAS STATION AND MINI-MART AND
VARIANCE NO. 92-170 TO ALL�W MORE SIGNS AND A TALLER, LARGER
FREESTANDING SIGN THAN OTHER'WISE ALLOWED BY THE
DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 100 BARNETT
STRECT, ARCO PRODUCT5, APPLICANT.
WHEREAS, ARCO Products has applied for a Planned Sign Program for property
located a� 100 Barnett in the HC (Highway Commercial) zoning district; and
WHEREAS, ARCO Products has also applied for a Variance to allow seven signs when
I'our a�•e usually allowed; to allow a Pole sign that exceeds the 15 foot height limit and exceeds
maximum area of 70 square teet; and to allow aggregate sign area in excessive of the usual amount
t'oi this size site; and
WHEREAS, the Architectural Advisory Committee reviewed said request on November
9, 1)92, and recommended that the Planning Commission approve the sign program and variance
subjec;c to various conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed puhlic heac on April 6,
1993 continued to May 4, 1993 on lhis matter; and
WHEREA5, the Planning Commission has i•eviewed the project pursuant to �he
Calil'ornia Environmental Quality Act and has by separate resolution approved a negative
declaration with miti�a�ions for this projecc; and
WHEREAS, based on the application materials including the videotape illustrating lhe
proposed sign at difterent heibhts, the various oral and written staff reports, the expanded Initial
Scudy, testimony al the public meetings and hearings, recommendauons from the Architec�ural
Advisory Committee, and wcitten correspondence finds, after due study, deliheration and puhlic
hearing, the following circumsta��ces exist:
1. That the slricl or literal interpretaCion and enforcement of the regulalions would result in
Pi•actical or unnecessary hardship not otherwise shared by olhers within the
sun•ounding area for the following reasons:
a. A survey of otller uses in lhe vicinity which a�•e oriented toward the freeway have
signs which also exceed the usual sign standards in ways that are similar co the
variance requested by this a�plicant; and
b. The development code requires the building to be oriented with its frone toward �he
center of the proper�y; therefore, three of the requested signs (the ones in excess of
the usual limit) will not generally be visible from the public right-of-ways but only
to customers on the site; thus, the intenl of Ihe limita�ion on the number oi signs is
prac�ically met.
2. That there are exceptional or extraordinuy circumstances or conditions applicahle to the
property involved or to the inlended use of the pro�erty that do not apply generally to
other propenies classitied in the same zone, namely:
a. That while most sites adjacent to the freeway and designated for highway-oriented
uses enjoy visibility from the 1'reeway, this site is difficult to se�; because of its
sloping topography, surrounding existing trees and the fact that the site is
significantly lower than the freeway grade; and
b. As noted above, the development code requires this kind of use to orient ils
entrance toward �he interior of the site rather than toward the streets, thus
necessitating additional signage for onsite customers.
3. That the strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation would
deprive the applicant of privileges enjoyed by the owners of other properties classitied
in the same zone because other similar uses oriented toward the freeway generally enjoy
signage which exceeds the usual standards.
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4. That, therefore, the granting of the variance will not constitut� a grant of special
privilege inconsistent with the limitations on the other properlies classified in the same
'LOII(;.
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Resolution No. 1414
Sign Progrun 92-107, Variance 92-170
ARCO Products
May 4, 1993
Page Two
5. That the granting of the variance as conditioned will not be detrimental to the public
health, safety or welfare or materially injurious t properl:ies or improvemen�s in the
vicinity.
6. That the granting of a variance, as conditioned, is consistent with objectives and
policies of the General Plan and the intent of the development code which are to
encourage economic vitality and business activity, protect investments while preserving
the environment and character of the City because said signs are important to the
success of this and similar businesses oriented toward a freeway clientele but as
conditioned are not out of scale or character with other signs in this zone and this
vicinity.
7. T'hat the physical location or placement of the signs are compatible with the surrounding
neighborhood and do not pose a safety risk.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of
Arroyo Grande hereby approves Planned Sign Program 92-107 and Variance 92-170, subject to
the conditions of approval listed in Attachment A which is attached hereto and incorporated herein
by this reference. •
On motion of Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Reilly, and by the
following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Carr, Reilly, Tappan and Chairman Soto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gommissioner Hatchett
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Deviny
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 4th day of May, 1993.
ATI'EST:
� a� c� R��..s�J
Nancy Brown, Planning Commission Clerk John Soto, Chairman
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Attachment A
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM 92-107
AND VARIANCE 92-170
FOR 100 BARNETT STREET
General Conditions
The applicant shall ascertain and comply with all state, county, and city requirements as are
applicable to this project.
2. This approval shall automatically expire two years from the effective datx; of this approval
unless a building permit is issued. Thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the approval
of this entitlement, the applicant may apply for an extension of one (1) year from the
original date of expiration.
3. The applicant shall a�gree to defend at his/her sole expense any action brought against the
City, its agents, officers or employees because of the issuance of this approval, or in the
alteinative, to relinquish such approval. The applicant shall reimburse the City, its agents,
officers or employees for any court costs and attorney's fees which lhe City, its agents,
ofticers or employees may be required by a court to pay as a result of this action. The City
may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action
but such participation shall not relieve the applicant of his/her obligations under lhis
condition.
4. Development shall occur in substantial confonnance with the plans and exhibits approved
by the Planning Commission at its meeting of May 4, 1993, and on file with the Planning
Department, except as otherwise modified by these conditions of approval.
Planning Department Conditions
5. The maximum height of the freestanding (pole) sign shall be 45 feet.
6. The maximum area of the freestanding (pole) sign shall be 270 syuare f�t.
7. The freestanding (pole) sign shall be designed so that the text "AM/PM" is located beneath
the text "ARCO"; said sign text shall also be surrounded with a wood or woodlike
cladding.
All wall signs shall be surrounded by a wood or woodlike trim.
9. The wall signs with text "24 Hours" shall be eliminated from both the west and east
elevations.
10. The revised sign program shall be subject to review and approval by the Archit�ctural
Advisory Committee prior to issue of a building permit.