HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRE 2023-0059; RALPHS #175 CARLSBAD; Admin Decision Letter♦
December 12, 2023
Anthony Santistevan
13580 5th Street
Chino, CA 91710
{'city of
Carlsbad
EIFILE COPY
SUBJECT: PRE 2023-0059 (DEV2023-0140)-RALPHS #175 CARLSBAD, 7140 AVENIDA ENCINAS
APN: 214-430-27-00
Thank you for submitting a preliminary review application for a proposed sign at 7140 Avenida Encinas,
assessor's parcel number (APN) 214-430-27-00. The project site, an approximately 4.26-acre (185,567-
square-foot) lot, currently is developed with a 59,053-square-foot Ralphs grocery store. The subject
property is part of the Poinsettia Village Shopping Center with vehicular access provided off Avenida
Encinas.
The project proposes to amend the existing Poinsettia Village Sign Program to allow for the installation of
a new internally illuminated, channel letter sign advertising the grocery pick-up service provided by the
Ralphs grocery store. The sign includes the copy "Pickup" and a graphic of a grocery store shopping cart
doubling as a fruit slice.
In response to your application, the Planning Division has prepared this comment letter. Please note that
the purpose of a preliminary review is to provide you with direction and comments on the overall concept
of your project. This preliminary review does not represent an in-depth analysis of your project. It is
intended to give you feedback on critical issues based upon the information provided in your submittal.
This review is based upon the plans, policies, and standards in effect as of the date of this review. Please
be aware that at the time of a formal application submittal, new plans, policies, and standards may be
in effect and additional issues of concern may be raised through a more specific and detailed review.
Planning:
General
1. General Plan and zoning designations for the property are as follows:
a. General Plan: L, Local Shopping Center.
b. Zoning: Local Shopping Center (C-L) Zone.
c. The property is in the Coastal Zone. The Coastal land use designation and zone are the same
as the general plan and zoning above.
2. The project requires the following permits:
a. Sign Program Amendment (AMEND)
Community Development Department
Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 I 442-339-2600 www.carlsbadca.gov
PRE 2023-0059 (DEV2023-0140) -RALPHS #175 CARLSBAD, 7140 AVENIDA ENCINAS
December 12, 2023
Pa e 2
b. Planning Sign Permit {PS)
3. Existing sign program. The shopping center containing Ralphs, Poinsettia Village, is governed by the
Poinsettia Village Sign Program (PS 93-53{A)/AMEND 2020-0011). Page 6 of the sign program contains
a location plan of the shopping center identifying what sign types are allowed for each lease space or
building. The sign types include, but are not limited to, monument signs, suspended/projecting signs,
tenant in-line wall signs, pad tenant wall signs. The Ralphs tenant space is identified as being subject
to Sign Type {I) "In-Line Tenant Identification Wall Signs", with sign type standards provided on page
22 of the sign program. The sign program does not contain separate sign standards for the large tenant
space occupied by Ralphs. Small in-line tenant spaces are subject to the same standards as the grocery
store. The sign standards allow for one tenant identification wall sign for the front or side elevation
as shown on the location plan. No additional wall signage or secondary signage is mentioned in the
sign program.
4. Sign Programs for other shopping centers. Staff researched other sign programs for shopping centers
with large grocery store tenants, under the same zoning (C-L), to understand how those sign programs
regulate signage. The following sign programs have separate sign standards for similarly large grocery
store tenant spaces:
a. The Plaza Paseo Real Sign Program has a Vons grocery store and has separate sign standards
for a "Market Tenant." These sign standards allow for a number of secondary signs identifying
major services or departments.
b. The La Costa Town Square Sign Program governs a shopping center with a Vons grocery store.
The sign program has separate "General Tenant" standards for the Vons tenant space. The
quantity of signs is not limited provided the total sign area square footage allowance is not
exceeded.
c. The Vons/Rite Aid Shopping Center Sign Program, located off Tamarack, has specific sign
standards for "Major Tenants {Vons and Ri_te Aid)." The standards allow one wall sign for the
major tenant and two additional wall signs for product identification or services provided by
the major tenant.
5. Existing signage. The Ralphs tenant space currently has two permitted signs, one sign for Ralphs and
one for Starbucks Coffee, which has a space inside the grocery store. As a separate business within
the Ralphs grocery store, it was allowed a separate wall sign.
6. Sign Program Amendment. To allow for the additional "Pickup" wall sign advertising the grocery pick-
up service provided by Ralphs, the existing Poinsettia Village Sign Program will need to be amended.
Planning staff recommends adding a separate sign type for the shopping center's major tenants to
allow for secondary signage. The city's Sign Ordinance, Carlsbad Municipal Code (CMC) 21.41, does
not restrict the number of wall signs for commercial centers in the C-L Zone, with the total sign area
for all wall, fascia, or awning signs not to exceed one-square-foot of sign area per lineal foot of building
frontage. Therefore, adding a "Major Tenant" sign type to allow secondary wall signs for services
PRE 2023-0059 (DEV2023-0140)-RALPHS #175 CARLSBAD, 7140 AVENIDA ENCINAS
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provided in these lease spaces would be in compliance with the Sign Ordinance. The sign program
amendment application and requirements are provided via the P-11 Form, link included below.
https:ljwww.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/474/637843421138300000
7. Planning Sign Permit. If the sign program amendment is approved, an application for a Planning Sign
Permit will be required for the sign. The application and submittal checklist for the sign permit is the
same P-11 Form used for the sign program amendment. After obtaining a sign permit, a building
permit through the Building Division will be needed for the installation of the sign.
All necessary application forms, submittal requirements, and fee information are available at the Planning
counter located in the Faraday Building at 1635 Faraday Avenue or online at
https:ljwww.carlsbadca.gov/departments/community-development/planning. You may also access the
General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Ordinance online at the website address shown. Please
review all information carefully before submitting.
Land Development Engineering:
No comments.
Building Division:
No comments.
If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss this letter with the commenting departments, please
contact Edward Valenzuela at the number below. You may also contact each department individually as
follows:
• Planning Division: Edward Valenzuela, Associate Planner, at (442) 339-2624
• Land Development Engineering: Nichole Fine, Project Engineer, at (442) 339-2744
• Building Division: Mike Strong, Assistant Director of Community Development, at (442) 339-2721
Sincerely,
ERIC LARDY, AICP
City Planner
EL:EV:ES
c: Nichole Fine, Project Engineer
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