Sign - Readerboard - 2010CITY of CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
May 4, 2010
Shawn Stewart
Campbell Christian Schools /
Campbell Church of Christ
1075 W. Campbell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
Subject: Readerboard Sign
Dear Mr. Stewart,
Per our conversion, the City has agreed to allow a freestanding manual readerboard sign, as
approved by Planning File No: PLN2009-58, to be installed partially in City Right-of-Way. For this
to be accomplished, several requisite steps are necessary:
1. Submit an Encroachment Permit application to the Public Works Department and pay
applicable fees ($145 for permit fee and $650 for plan check and inspection fees). Include
with this application:
a. Documentation authorizing an individual (yourself or another representative) to sign
agreements on behalf of the Church and the School.
b. Proof of ownership of the property, such as a grant deed or preliminary title report.
2. Contact the Public Works Department and arrange a meeting to jointly sign a Private
Improvements Agreement in presence of notary (a draft copy is enclosed for your review).
This document will then be recorded with the County.
3. Apply for and obtain a Building Permit to construct the sign, as shown on approved plans
of Planning File No: PLN2009-58.
If you should have any questions, please contact me at (408) 866-2151 or by email at
paulk ancityofcampbell.com. Please contact Ed Arango, Associate Engineer in the Public Works
Department, for more information on applying for an Encroachment Permit.
Sincerely,
Paul Kermoyan
Planning Manager
Encl: Draft Private Improvements Agreement
cc: Kirk Heinrichs, Community Development Director
Michelle Quinney, City Engineer
Ed Arango, Associate Engineer
ITEM NO. 2
PLN2009-58
Strouse, M.
CITY OF CAMPBELL • PLANNING COMMISSION
Staff Report • October 13, 2009
Public Hearing to consider the application of Mr. Mike Strouse for Mid-
Way Signs on behalf of Campbell Church of Christ /Campbell Christian
Schools, for a Sign Permit (PLN2009-58) to allow a manual readerboard
sign for a public assembly use on property owned by Campbell Church of
Christ located at 1075 W. Campbell Avenue in the P-F (Public Facilities)
and R-1-6 (Single Family Residential) Zoning Districts.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission take the following action:
1. Adopt a Resolution, incorporating the attached findings, approving a Sign Permit to allow a
manual readerboard sign, subject to the attached Conditions of Approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission find that this project is Categorically Exempt
under Section 15311, Class 11, Subsection (A), of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), pertaining to the construction or placement of on-premise signs.
DISCUSSION
Applicant's Proposal: The applicant is requesting approval of a sign permit for a freestanding
manual readerboard sign to be located along Campbell Avenue in front of a playground of the
Campbell Church of Christ /Campbell Christian School.
The project site is composed of two parcels, totaling 4.75 acres, located on the north side of
Campbell Avenue between Sam Colleen Way and Victor Avenue (reference Attachment 3,
Location Map) abutting single-family residential uses in all directions.
Background: Campbell Christian School was established in 1967 and is an educational institution
for infants, toddlers, and preschool through fifth graders. The school is governed by a Board of
Directors under the oversight of the elders of the Campbell Church of Christ. The property is
subject to several Use Permit and Modifications approvals from 1966, 1975, 2000, 2001, 2002,
and 2005. The most recent (2005) approval was for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the
playground in front of which the proposed sign would be located.
Description: The proposed readerboard sign is shown within adouble-sided gray-brown stucco
monument (reference Attachment 4). The monument would be six feet high and eleven feet wide
and include three signage elements. At the top it would state Campbell Church of Christ (5 ~/3
square-feet) in internally illuminated white channel letters, followed by Campbell Christian
Schools (8 '/4 square-feet) on an internally illuminated plastic panel face, concluding with the (3-
Staff Report -Planning Commission Meeting of October 13, 2009 ~ Page 2
PLN2009-58 - 1075 W. Campbell Ave.
line) readerboard portion of the sign (14 '/2 square-feet). The total sign area is shown as
approximately 28 '/3 square-feet per side (exclusive of the street address).
ANALYSIS
Sign Requirements: Section 21.30.030(C)(3) "Administrative Procedures" of the Sign Ordinance
states readerboard signs shall require approval by the Planning Commission pursuant to the
provisions of Section 21.30.080(G). A manual reader board sign is allowed with Planning
Commission approval for public assembly uses with 50 or more fixed seats.
In addition to the specific requirements for readerboard signs, such signs shall also comply with
other applicable requirements of the Sign Ordinance. This project site is subject to the sign
requirement for public/semi public and intuitional development. These requirements state that
the total on-site signage is limited to 40 square feet; that freestanding signs shall not exceed 6
feet in height nor encroach into the public right-of--way; and shall be surfaced to be consistent
with on-site buildings.
Conformance
The site has one existing monument sign that would be required to be removed prior to obtaining
a building permit for the proposed readerboard sign. Staff has incorporated this requirement as a
Condition of approval. Otherwise, the proposed sign complies with all applicable requirements
of the Sign Ordinance:
Requirement Proposal
Min. Number of Fixed Seats: 50 seats 324 total seats, 200 fixed
Max. Total Sign Area: 40 Square-feet 28 %3 square-feet
Max. Freestanding Sign Height 6 Feet 6 Feet
Not within Public Right-of-Way The public right-of-way extends 3 feet behind the sidewalk. The
proposed sign would be 4 feet behind the sidewalk.
Architecturally Compatible The monument is in a stucco finish, colored to match the
Church/School building.
Site and Architectural Review Committee: The Site and Architectural Review Committee
(SARC) reviewed this application at the meeting of September 22, 2009. SARC had the
following comments (staff comment italicized):
1. Remove the banner on the fence along Campbell Avenue.
The applicant has indicated that the banner will be removed.
2. Verify that the sign would not be located within the public right-of--way.
The sign permit plans originally showed the proposed sign to be located two feet behind the
sidewalk. The Public Works Department had determined that the public right-of--way along
this portion of Campbell Avenue extends approximately three feet behind the sidewalk. As
.such, the sign was required to be further behind the sidewalk. The drawings have been
revised so that the sign would be four feet behind the sidewalk, ensuring that it would not be
within the public right-of--way.
Staff Report -Planning Comm-fission Meeting of October 13, 2009 ~ Page 3
PLN2009-58 - 1075 W. Campbell Ave.
3. Trim or remove bushes at the corner, as they represent a potential sight obstruction.
The applicant has indicated that the bushes at the corner are there to provide screening of
the adjacent playground from the sidewalk and street. The City Traffic Engineer agrees that
this vegetation should be reduced. Staff will work with the applicant to identify a more
appropriate means of screening the playground.
4. Explain why the sign is located at the corner.
The applicant believes that the proposed location provides the best visibility from both
directions of Campbell Avenue. The applicant will be available at the meeting to provide a
more specific response.
Attachments:
1. Findings for Approval of File No. PLN2009-58
2. Conditions of Approval for File No. PLN2009-58
3. Location Map
4. Project Plans, stamped as received on October 8, 2009
Prepared by: ` --~~~ ~-` -' ` _
Daniel Fama, Agssistant Planner
Reviewed by:
Paul Kermoya~, Planning Manager
Approved by:
Kirk einric s, Community Development Director
b~~~
r
Attachment #1
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL OF FILE NO. PLN2009-58
SITE ADDRESS: 1075 W. Campbell Avenue
APPLICANT: Mike Strouse for Mid-Way Signs on behalf of Campbell Church of
Christ /Campbell Christian Schools
P.C. DATE: October 13, 2009
Findings for Approval for a Sign Permit to allow a manual readerboard sign at 1075 W.
Campbell Ave.
The Planning Commission finds as follows with regard to File No. PLN2009-58:
1. The proposed manual readerboard sign is limited to identification of an on-site use located on
the project site.
2. The proposed manual readerboard sign may be allowed with the approval of the Planning
Commission for a Public Assembly use with more than 50 fixed seats. The project site
currently has approximately 200 fixed seats.
3. Inspection of the site and the proposed sign and review of the plans disclose that the signs
will comply with all of the regulations of this chapter.
4. The project qualifies as Categorically Exempt project under Section 15311, Class 11 of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pertaining to the construction or placement
of on-premise signs.
Based on the foregoing findings of fact, the Planning Commission further finds and concludes that:
1. The proposed sign is consistent with the requirements of the Sign Ordinance.
2. Both the location of the proposed sign and the design of its visual elements (lettering, words,
figures, colors, decorative motifs, spacing, and proportions) are legible under normal viewing
conditions.
3. The location and design of the proposed sign does not obscure from view or unduly detract
from existing or adjacent signs.
4. The location and design of the proposed sign (e.g., size, shape, illumination, and color) is
compatible with the visual characteristics of the surrounding area so as not to detract from or
cause to decrease the value or quality of adjacent properties.
5. The location and design of the proposed sign, located in close proximity to any residential
district, does not adversely affect the quality or character of the residential area.
6. No substantial evidence has been presented from which a reasonable argument could be
made that shows that the project, as currently presented and subject to the required
Conditions of Approval, will have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
7. There is a reasonable relationship and a rough proportionality between the Conditions of
Approval and the impacts of the project.
M
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR FILE NO. PLN2009-58
Attachment #2
SITE ADDRESS: 1075 W. Campbell Avenue
APPLICANT: Mike Strouse for Mid-Way Signs on behalf of Campbell Church of
Christ /Campbell Christian Schools
DATE: October 13, 2009
The applicant is hereby notified, as part of this application, that he/she is required to meet the
following conditions in accordance with the ordinances of the City of Campbell and the State of
California. The lead department with which the applicant will work is identified on each
condition where necessary. Where approval by the Director of Community Development, City
Engineer, Public Works Director, City Attorney, or Fire Department is required, that review shall
be for compliance with all applicable conditions of approval, adopted policies and guidelines,
ordinances, laws and regulations, and accepted engineering practices, for the item under review.
Additionally, the applicant is hereby notified that he/she is required to comply with all applicable
Codes or Ordinances of the City of Campbell and the State of California that pertain to this
development and are not herein specified:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Planning Division
Declaration of Acceptance of All Conditions: Within thirty (30) days of Planning
Commission approval, the applicant shall sign a copy of the subject Planning Commission
Resolution, incorporating the final approved set of Conditions of Approval. Until said
Resolution is signed, the approved Sign Permit shall not be valid for any permits sought from
the City.
Acknowledged & Accepted:
Campbell Christian Schools Date
2. Approved Project: Approval is granted for a Sign Permit (PLN2009-58) for a freestanding
manual readerboard sign located at 1075 W. Campbell Avenue. The sign shall substantially
conform to the project plans stamped as received by the Community Development
Department on October 8, 2009, except as may be modified by the Conditions of approval
herein.
3. Existing Signa~e: The existing monument sign shall be removed prior obtaining a building
permit for the freestanding manual reader board sign.
4. Development Approval Expiration: The Sign Approval shall be valid for one year from the
date of Planning Commission approval. Within this one year period, a building permit must
be obtained or the Sign Approval shall expire and be deemed void without further
notification by the City.
M Attachment #2
Paae 2 of 2
5. Sign Maintenance: The signs shall be maintained in good condition at all times and shall be
repaired or replaced as necessary.
6. Minimum Seating: The sanctuary building of the Campbell Church of Christ shall maintain
fifty (50) fixed seats at all time.
Building Division
Permits Required: A building permit application shall be required for the proposed sign. The
building permit shall include Electric and Mechanical fees when such work is part of the
permit. Prior to performing any work, the applicant shall make application to, and receive
from the Building Division, all applicable construction permits.