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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. 31 �7 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(;. �31 �� 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 3 .1 9 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.