CC 2024-03-12_12a Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage ProgramItem 12.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
BY: Shannon Sweeney, City Engineer
SUBJECT: Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
DATE: March 12, 2024
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Provide input on the design theme, directional information, and locations for the Village
of Arroyo Grande Wayfinding Sign Program. At this conceptual stage, City staff
recommends replacing existing wood signs, updating “Free Parking” and Community
Center signs to match the color and shape of existing wood signs shown in figures 1-6.
Additionally, replacing the “Welcome to the Village of Arroyo Grande” signs at the Traffic
Way intersection and Fireman’s Park with bigger signs that also highlight free parking
behind businesses, and adding a wayfinding sign at the former Short Street area.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
Funding needed to improve Village signage depends on the extent to which changes to
existing signage are made and if any new signs are added. If all changes are
implemented, the total cost of this project is estimated to be $40,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide input on conceptual design for the project .
BACKGROUND:
Over the years, numerous signs have been placed throughout the Village and other
locations around the city. A design theme for these signs was used for many of those
signs, consisting of a uniform color, font, and style. Such signs can be fou nd in the
triangular island at Traffic Way in front of the large redwood tree (Figure 1), at 110 East
Branch Street (Figure 2), in front of City Hall (Figure 3), the entrance to the car corral
(Figure 4), Centennial Park (Figure 5) and Heritage Park (Figure 6). Attachment 1
contains an inventory of the Village signs.
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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Figure 1: Traffic Way Figure 2: 110 East Branch Street
Figure 3: City Hall Figure 4: Car Corral
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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Figure 5: Centennial Park Figure 6: Heritage Square Park
Additional signs have been installed as needed. These signs had different shapes and
colors. Staff found nine bright blue “Free Parking” signs on various poles, including:
Intersection of Mason Street and East Branch Street (northwest traffic signal
pole);
End of Mason Street at Le Point Street (galvanized metal pole);
East entrance to the Le Point parking lot (both sides of a round metal pole with
other parking signs);
Both sides of the entrance to the car corral off Nevada Street (both sides of the
same streetlight pole);
West entrance to Olohan Alley (both sides of the same black metal pole); and
In front of 214 East Branch Street (square metal perforated pole, Figure 7)
In addition, other wayfinding signs were found, such as two brown community center
signs (Figure 8), which were intended to provide directions to the Woman’s Center.
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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Figure 7: Free Parking (typical) Figure 8: Community Center (one of two)
In the recent past, wayfinding has been discussed as a program but due to a host of
factors including lack of a Downtown Parking Advisory Board quorum, shifting project
priorities, and emergency response to storms, limited progress has been made. In 2023,
staff developed the 2023 Village of Arroyo Grande Wayfinding Sign Program, Existing
Conditions Report. This report is included as Attachment 2. Most of the signs and issues
discussed in Attachment 2 are also summarized in th is staff report.
On December 12, 2023, City Council requested that City staff report back to City Council
on progress on the City’s wayfinding program at a March 2024 meeting.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The existing signs in the Village are inconsistent stylistically, installed at different heights
and in different manners, and are affected by sign clustering. Many of these signs need
replacement due to weathering and/or being damaged due to vandalism. While there is
signage throughout the Village indicating the availability of free parking, the City has
received feedback that more signs are needed at more visible locations. Other requests
have been received for additional signage for restrooms, parking, and other City facilities
such as City Hall and the Council Chamber.
Staff was given direction to develop a wayfinding program for the Village. Staff considered
the following variables:
Intent/Purpose
Shape
Color
Font
Verbiage
Finishing details
Locations
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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With these variables, staff is seeking additional input from City Council and further
direction. The information points received will be further incorporated and refined into this
important component of the unique and historic Village. Each of the seven variables is
more thoroughly discussed below.
Intent/Purpose
Given the number of existing signs in the Village, wayfinding has been attempted in the
past. Attachment 1 lists the existing sign inventory. This list shows that existing signage
focuses on identifying City facilities and parking. Staff recommends that the welcome
signs at the Traffic Way intersection and Fireman’s Park be replaced with bigger signs
that explicitly indicate that there is free parking behind the businesses, that other signs
be replaced to stylistically match existing facility signs to make it easier for the traveling
public to find the free parking locations, and that the wayfinding sign be added at former
Short Street, just to the south of the brick crosswalk adjacent to East Branch Street .
Sign Shape
Different sign shapes have been considered by staff in evaluating wayfinding options
(Figure 9).
Panel 1 most closely resembles the large wooden signs in front of City facilities as
in Figures 1-6.
Panel 3 most closely resembles the bright blue free parking signs as in Figure 7.
Panel 7 resembles the community center sign in Figure 8.
Sign consistency (shape, color, font, City logo, etc.) enables identification and use of
these signs by the traveling public. Staff recommends Panel 1 or Panel 3, as they
resemble the City’s most expensive signs, have some stylistic features without being
overly ornate, and are an efficient use of sign space.
Figure 9: Shape options
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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Color
Staff observed three separate colors of signs in the Village, blue as in Figures 1-6, bright
blue, as in Figure 7, and brown, as in Figure 8. Village, Bridge Street, and historic
downtown building color palettes are shown in Figure 10 and were considered. The pale
blue color (Figure 12 - Fiji) of the existing City facility signs is recommended, as it is
consistent with other City signs, such as in front of Soto Sports Complex (Figure 11) and
the Corporation Yard.
Figure 10: Existing City color palettes
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Item 12.a.
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Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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Figure 11: Soto Sports Complex
Figure 12: Standard Color Match Options
Font
The font on existing wood signs is proprietary from the sign design company used to
make most of the Village signs. A standard font that is similar in nature to the proprietary
font is the Old-Style, Garamond style shown in Figure 13. This is the font staff
recommends for future signs.
Figure 13: Font Options
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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Verbiage
Staff does not recommend changes to the wording on most of the signs, with exception
of the “Free Parking” signs. Figures 14 and 15 are intended to be both pole and monument
signs, as needed and included for conceptual design consideration and for replaced
wording. If such a design is desired, staff will refine this design prior to presenting it to the
Downtown Parking Advisory Board, Architectural Review Committee, Village Business
Association, and City Council.
There is an opportunity for the signs at the Traffic Way intersection and Fireman’s Park
to provide more wayfinding information. By increasing the height and width of these signs,
additional verbiage can be added below such as “free parking behind the businesses,”
“left on Nevada Street,” “right on Bridge Street.” The brick pedestals would also be
enlarged.
Figure 14: Existing Free Parking Figure 15: Recommended Replacement
Finishing Touches
Staff recommends that existing wood signs continue to have si de posts with finials and
pedestal brickwork below the sign. It should be noted that signs with existing brickwork
are too low to be visible. Increasing the height of these signs by expanding the brickwork
to a minimum of 3 feet high with a larger brick pedestal would make the signs more visible.
Metal signs on posts should be on round black metal posts to the extent possible.
Attachment 1 lists the extent to which these changes are needed and an approximated
cost totaling $40,000.
Location
Staff does not recommend any major changes to sign location. Refreshing, updating, and
stylistically matching existing signs is expected to facilitate wayfinding in the Village.
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Item 12.a.
City Council
Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program
March 12, 2024
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NEXT STEPS:
Once staff receives input from the City Council, sign design will be refined and shared
with the Downtown Parking Advisory Board, Architectural Review Committee, and Village
Business Association, for comprehensive input, prior to bringing the enhanced program
back to City Council for final approval and funding authorization.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Provide input on conceptual design for the project;
2. Do not provide input on conceptual design for the project ; or
3. Provide direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Refreshing and updating existing signage for consistency will improve wayfinding,
visibility, driver navigation, business awareness, and location of free parking in the
Village. Signage and mounting posts will be uniform in color and style throughout the
Village.
DISADVANTAGES:
There will be potential minor traffic inconveniences to the travelling public during
construction. Staff will monitor the traffic control to conform to the requirements of the
Municipal Uniform Traffic Control Devices manual (MUTCD) to mitigate any negative
effects. City inspectors will be at the site during construction to adjust the traffic control
for isolated instances (driveway access, etc.).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Updating the wayfinding signage is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the
operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of
existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features where the
project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (State CEQA
Guidelines, § 15301.)
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Sign Inventory
2. Village of Arroyo Grande Wayfinding Program, 2023 Existing Conditions Report
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Village Sign inventory ATTACHMENT 1
ID Sign Location Intent Shape Material Color Font Verbiage
Finishing
details
Reccomended
change $ to update
1 City Hall 300 E. Branch City Facility 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary City Hall finial Replace 3,000$
2 Welcome Traffic Way Wayfinding 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary Welcome finial Replace 4,000$
3 Bridge St 110 E. Branch Wayfinding 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary Bridge St finial Raise, replace 3,400$
4 Car Corral Car Corral Parking 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary Public Parking finial Raise, replace 3,400$
5 Centennial Park Short St City facility 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary Park finial Raise, replace 3,400$
6 Heritage Sq. Park Nelson St City facility 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary Park finial Raise, replace 3,400$
7 Parking Mason/Branch Parking 6 Alum Blue Garamond P N/A Replace 400$
8 Parking Mason/LePoint Parking 6 Alum Blue Garamond P N/A Replace 400$
9 Parking LePoint/Miller Parking 6 Alum Blue Garamond P N/A Replace (both sides)800$
10 Hoosegow Park LePoint City facility 1 Wood Proprietary Proprietary Bridge St finial Replace 3,000$
11 Parking Nevada/Car Corral Parking 6 Alum Blue Garamond P N/A Replace (both sides)800$
12 Parking Bridge St/Olohan Parking 6 Alum Blue Garamond P N/A Replace (both sides)800$
13 Parking 214 E. Branch Parking 6 Alum Blue Garamond P N/A Replace+pole 1,400$
14 Short St Short St Wayfinding 1 Wood Fiji Garamond wayfinding finial New 5,000$
15 Parking 101 W. Branch Parking 6 Alum Fiji Garamond P N/A New, add to light 400$
16 Wayfinding Fireman's Park Wayfinding 1 Wood Fiji Garamond wayfinding finial Replace 3,000$
17 Community Center Branch/Wesley City facility 6 Alum Fiji Garamond P N/A New, replace poles 3,000$
18 Parking Mason/Olohan Parking 6 Alum Fiji Garamond P N/A New, add to light 400$
Total 40,000$
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1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
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10 11 12
13 14 15
16 17 18
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ATTACHMENT 2
VILLAGE OF ARROYO GRANDE
WAYFINDING SIGN PROGRAM
2023 Existing Conditions Report
Shayna Gropen
Sgropen@arroyogrande.org
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Le Point Street
1 2
3 4
Along Le Point Street (East Le Point) there are three (3) directional/informational parking signs.
Sign 1 is located at the intersection between Le Point and Mason, meaning it most directly serves traffic coming
from Highway 227 or from neighborhoods off Tally Ho Road, or those who have driven through the Village and
did not park on Branch Street.
Signs 2 and 3 are located at one of the two main points of entry for this parking lot, from Le Point Street. It is
designed to be legible to traffic approaching from either direction, however the angle is not optimized for
legibility and the signs are stacked in such a way that some messages are not visible at both angles.
Sign 4 is the second of the two main points of entry for this parking lot from Le Point Street. Sign 4 is an
example of clustering. Clustering occurs when too many competing signs lead to lost information, thus
reducing the signs’ effectiveness. This sign does not confirm arrival at the destination or serve to provide
additional information.
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1
1
2 & 3
4
Two major elements that work together to create high-impact signage:
Design: The way information (text, icons, colors, etc.) is laid out on the signage itself. This includes wording and
symbology.
Placement: Where a sign, sticker, A-frame, etc. is physically placed, and how many are needed. This includes
height and all physical characteristics of the sign.
Le Point Street is the most proximate location for directional signage, and signage in this area should serve to confirm
arrival and clarify rules/expectations for users. Signs located in this area almost exclusively serve vehicular traffic, and as
such, text should be minimal and large enough to be read at a considerable distance.
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Nevada Street
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There is one primary double-sided parking sign located on Nevada Street with a secondary, adjacent
informational sign. This “free parking” sign might be considered effective in its simplicity, however, unless
one already is aware that parking can be accessed from Nevada, there is no indication and low visibility from
Branch Street that indicates there is free parking available.
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Branch Street — Car Corral
The “Car Corral” can be accessed from Branch Street between Old Village Grill and Bill’s Cleaners and is
demarcated by a red bench and accompanying ground sign, Sign 1.
Sign 1 is a public parking sign that is stylistically like the City Hall sign, the ‘Welcome to the Village’ sign located at
the intersection of Branch and Traffic Way, and the ‘Bridge Street’ sign. This sign is only visible to traffic
approaching from the west and it is not at an adequate height for visibility. A double-faced ground sign
approximately 4 feet in height would be a better option for this location.
Sign 2 is located just behind Sign 1 and is an example of sign clustering such that it is difficult for users to decipher
primary takeaways and key information.
Sign 3 is an informal sign, not installed by the City, and possibly on private property. This is a crude wooden sign
that reads “Brisco Village Parking Lot” with an arrow.
Sign 4 is a 12-hour parking sign. The City might check for consistency and ensure such regulatory signs align with
street paint/other indicators for clarity.
1 2
3 4
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1,2
3
4
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v\\vv
Branch Street
1 2
3 4
Branch Street is the primary thoroughfare of the Village and main access point to reach public parking to the
North and South.
Signs 1 and 2 are located on opposite sides of the same traffic light. These signs are placed too high on the pole.
Sign 3 is stylistically similar to the ‘City Hall’ and Car Corral ‘Public Parking’ signs. This sign is at the wrong height
for either cars or pedestrians and does not provide clear or concise direction. A taller, more prominent sign would
be effective in this area if the messaging were made clearer. If the City would like to emphasize Olohan Alley
rather than Bridge Street this might be an appropriate location to do so.
Sign 4 is a good height and location for the purposes of directing traffic towards Le Point Street parking. This
signage would be made more effective with a different color scheme and larger text.
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v\
1,2
3
4
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Olohan Alley – Bridge Street
Olohan Alley can be accessed from Bridge Street. There is currently only one double-sided
parking sign at this location, and it is not optimal for traffic due to the sign angle and height. This
sign could be improved by placing it above the “Bike Route” sign (see Sign 1) to better suit the
line of sight for a vehicle.
Currently, the only parking signage indicating public parking in Olohan Alley is the “Bridge Street”
ground sign (Branch Street Sign 3) that is also not effective in its height and visibility. This sign
does not contain the name of Olohan alley and does not emphasize Public Parking as a primary
feature.
Sign 3 is a ground sign that sits at the intersection of Branch Street and Traffic Way, often
considered a gateway or node into the city. This is a crucial junction that marks entry into the
Village Core and should be emphasized. This sign would be more effective if it was taller in height
and visually bolder, with larger font and a color scheme that is consistent throughout the Village.
1 2
3
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1,2
3
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Olohan Alley – South Mason
1 2
3 4
Olohan Alley can be accessed from South Mason Street. There is currently no signage at this location
indicating that there is public parking at this location. Signs 1, 2, and 3 are clustered within one stretch of
sidewalk (see image 1). This messaging is made ineffective by the cluttered layout of the signs.
Signage in Olohan Alley should be made more consistent, with an emphasis on confirming arrival at
Olohan Alley public parking area and clarification of parking hours, speed information, etc. Clustering
more than 2 signs on one pole should be avoided, if possible.
4
5
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1
2,3
4
5
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1 2
1
2
Olohan Alley – Centennial Park
Centennial Park can be accessed through Short Street or Olohan Alley. This key thoroughfare is
noteworthy for the circular gathering area with a central pergola that sits at the intersection of
several community-serving amenities. Just north of Centennial Park are public restrooms via
Short Street, indicated by a crude brown wooden sign (image 1). Public restroom signs should
be made stylistically consistent, utilizing approved City colors and materials.
The Centennial Park ground sign (image 2) is stylistically similar to the City Hall, Car Corral, and
Bridge Steet signs, without the brick base. This sign is placed in a landscaped area with a
flagpole. The height, size, and placement of this sign is effective for pedestrian visibility.
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Village Design Guidelines
1. All public signs shall be subject to a fee-exempt design review by the Architectural
Review Committee. Public signs shall be detailed to conform to the area. This includes
painting all new poles, sign backs, and other appurtenant hardware a color that is
consistent with other public signs in the Village area.
NODES
There are strategic spots in the Village that an observer considers the center or
concentration of activity or junction of paths. The public parking area next to the creek,
with the gazebo and Swinging Bridge or Village Green and historic museum area are
illustrations of such a concentration of activity, especially during community festivals and
farmer’s market days. New development designs that incorporate pedestrian space and
visual interest to attract activity can create such “nodes”.
GATEWAYS
There are visual “clues” that tell an observer that they have entered the Village. They are
a change in the quality of space on a path, where adjoining areas are distinguished from
the distinct and separate Village area that the traveler is entering. Gateways can be
natural or man-made, and can range from the first views of historic residences when
approaching from Branch Mill Road or East Branch Street to the triangle park at the
intersection of Nelson Street and Traffic Way. Preservation and enhancement of gateways
is important to help define the special quality of the Village area. The change of character,
as one enters the Village on East Branch near Crown Hill, Mason Street or Traffic Way
are “gateways”.
PATHS
There are paths for various types of movement. It is not necessary for an observer to
actually travel on the path for it to be a major visual image. This is especially true in Arroyo
Grande, where major arterials pass through the Village (Highway 227) or did pass through
in earlier times, Traffic Way.
Branch Street has been the “main” street in the Village, and still serves as a major link to
Lopez Lake and adjoining areas. Traffic Way, Bridge, Nevada and Mason Streets are
additional vehicle paths through the Village, as are Olohan Alley and LePoint Street.
Smaller connections for circulation include Short Street, several walkways and historic
routes such as Hart Lane or Creekside promenades.
Design elements, such as street furniture, signs, trees and lighting can all contribute to
the “importance” or purpose that is assigned to a particular “path”.
Street furniture and fixtures shall complement the existing sidewalk paving, lighting
schemes, and street furniture within the Village Core Downtown.
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