HomeMy WebLinkAboutRP 83-07; Big Bear Supermarket; Redevelopment Permits (RP)STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 11, 1983
TO: Design Review Board
FROM: Land Use Planning Office
SUBJECT: RP 83-7 - BIG BEAR SUPERMARKETS - Request to remove
existing freestanding sign and replace with new, lower
sign.
I. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Design Review Board ADOPT Resolution
No. 018, APPROVING RP 83-7.
II. DISCUSSION
The applicant is requesting a permit to remodel the existing 70-
foot high freestanding "Big Bear" sign in Poinsettia Plaza. The
existing sign consists of a series of four signs on three poles.
This proposal would reduce this cluster to two signs on two
poles, as shown on Exhibit "A". The overall height would be
reduced to 30 feet.
A new double-face illuminated "Big Bear" sign would sit above the
existing yellow, multi-tenant identification sign. This
multi-tenant sign would be lowered to approximately 12 feet
high. The sign will be located in the same location as it
presently exists, perpendicular to Elm Avenue.
The sign, as proposed by the applicant (30 feet high) will be
high enough to provide south-bound freeway exposure. Staff does
not believe that grocery stores are freeway-traffic serving
uses. While motels, service stations, and 24-hour restaurants
are important freeway services and deserve such exposure, staff
believes that grocery stores do not. It is important, however,
to provide the supermarket adequate identification on Elm
Avenue, where the community traffic is. In addition, the sign
ordinance would allow such freestanding sign a maximum height
equal to the height of the supermarket, which is approximately
20 feet. Since the street trees along Elm Avenue could
interfere with the face of a 20-foot high sign, staff would
ideally recommend a monument sign, which would be readily
visible from Elm Avenue. An attractive monument sign would also
be closely in line with the design criteria established in the
Village Design Manual.
While staff does not fully support the sign height requested by
the applicant, it should be noted that the signs will not blink,
overhang, protrude, or otherwise violate the requirements of the
Village Design Manual. VThile staff does believe the applicant's
request is an improvement over the existing sign, it continues
to exceed practical standards and could also set a precedent for
other non-freeway oriented uses to request freeway signing.
III. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Land Use Planning Manager has determined that this project
is categorically exempt from Environmental Review according to
Section 19.04.070(5) of the Carlsbad Environmental Ordinance and
therefore, issues a notice of exemption on April 27, 1983.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Design Review Board Resolution No. 018
2. Location Map
3. Exhibit "A", Dated April 27, 1983
PJK/cs
5/2/83
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