HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-23; Planning Commission; ; CUP 133 - CAR COUNTRY DIXON FORD...
STAFF REPORT
February 23, 1977
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
CUP-133
FROM:
CASE NO:
APPLICANT: ROBERT KNAUF (AGENT)
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO RETAIN
AN ADDITIONAL FREESTANDING SIGN FOR DIXON FORD
{CAR COUNTRY) ON PASEO DEL NORTE.
SECTION I. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that CUP-133 be APPROVED based on the following
findings and subject to the following conditions:
Required Findings: Section 21.41.075(b)
1) The proposed sign is appropriate for the property.
a) The requested sign will be separated sufficiently from the
only other freestanding sign on the property (300 ft).
2) The proposed sign is compatible with the adjacent properties.
3)
4)
a) Similar signs have been approved for existing and planned
dealerships along Paseo del Norte (CUP-129).
b) Two or more signs per property were approved for existing
or planned dealerships under CUP-129.
c) The design and dimensions of the requested sign are similar
to those configurations approved for signs under previous
approvals (CUP-129).
The proposed sign will not interfere with the safety of the
traveling public.
a) The sign is adequately separated from the visual corridor
to insure proper sight distance.
The proposed sign will not result in proliferation of signs
the area.
a) Other dealerships in the area have been allowed at least
two freestanding signs of the type requested.
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b) If not currently approved, other dealerships in the area
.co~ld apply for a CUP to allow more than one freestanding
sign under section 21.41.075.
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5) The proposed sign will not adversely affect the appearance of
the area and will not unduly restrict views.
a) The requested sign is similar in size and design with
other approved signs in the area.
b) The sign is compatible in copy with other existing and
planned/approved signs in the area.
c) No significant features exist near the sign that would be
blocked from view by the structure.
Required Findings: Section 21.42.020
1) The requested use is necessary or desirable for the development
of the community, and is essentially in harmony with the various
elements and objectives of the general plan, and is not detrimental
to existing uses or to uses specifically permitted in the zone in
which the proposed use is to be located;
b)
Additional sign advertising will enhance the commercial viability
of the site; and
The additional sign will not detract from the overall visual
appearance of the auto center.
2) The site for the intended use is adequate to accommodate the use
because:
a) The width of the site(1089±)is great enough to absorb an
additional freestanding sign in addition to the existing
sign without creating an undesirable clutter of signing.
3) All yards, setbacks and other features necessary to adjust the
requested use to existing or permitted future uses in the neigh-
borhood will be provided and maintained because:
a) The sign is existing and meets requirements of the zoning
ordinance and building code.
4) The street system serving the proposed use is adequate to prop-
erly handle all traffic generated by the proposed use because:
a) Paseo del Norte, Cannon Road, and Palomar Airport Road are
all designed to handle the volume of traffic generated by the
auto center, of which the additional sign is a part.
CONDITIONS:
1) The approval is granted for the~and described in the application
and attachments thereto, as shown on Exhibit A, dated January 13,
1977, and Exhibit B, dated January 13, 1977.
2) The location of the sign shall conform to all requirements of
Section 21.41.075 (b,1-8). The Planning Director shall determine
conformity with the referenced section prior to approval of a
sign permit.
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SECTION II: BACKGROUND:
Location and Description of Property:
The project site is located in "Car Country" on the west side of
Paseo del Norte between Cannon Road and Palomar Airport Road (south
of the City park site). Dixon Ford is the dealership on the site.
The requested sign is existing. An additional freestanding sign is
located on the site approximately 300 feet south of the requested sign.
{see Exhibit C).
Existing Zoning:
Subject Property:
North:
South:
East:
West:
Existing Land Use:
Subject Property:
North:
South:
East:
West:
Environmental Impact Information:
C-2
PU
R-A-10
R-A
Interstate 5, PM
Dixon Ford
City Park
Vacant
Hoen Motors/Sharp VW
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The subject request is categorically exempt from the Environmental
Protection Ordinance, Section 19.04.090 (5).
General Plan Information:
The Land Use Element of the General Plan designates the subject site
as RRE {Extensive Regional Retail).
Public Facilities:
All public facilities are existing.
Past History and Related Cases:
A Specific Plan for Car Country was adopted by the City Council,
January 18, 1972 {Ordinance 9288).
The City Council approved architectural elevations for a 35' 150
square foot Car Country sign, to be located between the City Park
and the Dixon Ford Dealership on September 7, 1976.
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The Council adopted an amendment to the Sign Code permitting additional _
freestanding signs, November 2, 1976 (Ordinance 8070).
The Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit to allow
freestanding signs for three dealerships in Car Country December 22,
1976 (P.C. Reso. 1306).
Rorick Buick: 2 signs (1 by-right, 1 by-CUP)
Toyota of Carlsbad: 2 signs (1 by-right, 1 by-CUP)
Hoehn Motors: 2-3 signs (1 by-right, 2 by-CUP).
Incidental Information:
Under the approved Specific Plan for the site, one freestanding sign
was allowed to advertise the entire center. It was determined that
there were not a sufficient number of dealerships to warrant a
comprehensive sign at the outset (Dixon Ford was the first
dealership to open in the center).
As a result, it was agreed that Dixon Ford would be allowed to have
an additional freestanding sign (subject sign) until such time as a
Car Country sign was requested and installed.
A sign permit was issued for a comprehensive Car Country sign after
the Council approved the sign design. Three conditions were imposed
on the sign permit, they were:
1) The Dixon Ford freestanding sign shall be removed within 60
days of the approval herein; or;
2) An application for a Conditional Use Permit to accommodate the
above sign shall be submitted to the Planning Department within
30 days.
3) The foundation (not including pole) for the subject sign may
be installed immediately, however; the existing lighted wooden
freestanding sign (with car country copy) and all other non-
conforming signs advertising car country, not on dealership
properties, shall be removed prior to erection of the subject
sign.
Major Planning Considerations:
1) Can the mandatory findings for Conditional Use Permits be made
(Section 21.41.020).
2) Are the requirements of Section 21.41.075 b,1-8 met by request.
SECTION III: DISCUSSION:
Staff feels that the findings required for Conditional Use Permits
can be made (See Section I. Recommendation).
Section 21.41.075(b) sets the following limitation on freestanding
signs requested by CUP.
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1) The sign may be monument signs, not greater than 8 feet in
height or 8 feet in length or pole signs not to exceed 20
feet in height.
The requested sign meets this requirement (See Exhibit B).
2) In order to qualify for any such sign, any freestanding sign per-
mitted by right for the property must be located at least 50 feet
from any interior property line;
The sign permitted by right on the site meets this requirement.
(See Exhibit A).
3) The signs shall not be erected within 200 feet of another free-
standing sign on the same property.
The requested sign will be located approximately 300' from the
existing freestanding sign on site.
4) The signs must be located at least 50 feet from an interior prop-
erty line;
The requested sign meets this requirement (See Exhibit A).
5) The signs shall be so oriented that the primary view is from
surface streets: Interstate 5 or Highway 78 shall not be con-
sidered surface streets;
The requested sign will be oriented to Paseo del Norte.
6) The aggregate sign area for the entire development does not exceed
the sign area allowed for the development according to the pro-
visions of Title 21.
The requested sign square footage does not exceed the area
allowed under Title 21.
7) No portion of such sign shall extend over the public right-of-way,
or be within 15 feet of any driveway or corner;
The requested sign meets this requirement.
8) The maximum sign area for any such sign shall not exceed 55 square
feet.
The requested sign contains 52 sqaure feet of copy area.
TH:ar
(2/10/77)
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