HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-07; Planning Commission; ; ZCA 96-08|LCPA 96-07 - CORPORATE FLAGS-
A REPORT TOTiiEPLW1NG COMMISSION~
P.C. AGENDA OF: August 7, 1996
ItemNo. @
Application complete date: July I, 1996
Project Planner: Brian Hunter .
Project Engineer: N/ A
SUBJECT: ZCA 96-08/ LCPA 96-07 -CORPORATE FLAGS-Request for a Zone Code
Amendment and a Local Coastal Program Amendment to allow a single tenant lot
or building, housing a non-conditionally permitted, non-retail use within the M,
C-M or P-M zone to maintain a company flag displaying a company logo,
insignia or registered trademark when flown on a flagpole in traditional
combination with the Federal and State Flags.
I. RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolutions No. 3968 and 3969
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL of ZCA 96-08 and LCPA 96-07, respectively, based on the
findings contained therein.
II. INTRODUCTION
The project is a request for a Zone Code Amendment and Local Coastal Program Amendment by
the Planning Department to allow company flags in certain limited, circumscribed situations.
Presently such devices are prohibited under Section 21.41.050(2) of the Carlsbad Municipal
Code.
III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
The Community Development Department has received multiple requests to allow corporate
entities, generally located within the office/light industrial zone of the City, the ability to fly
company flags. City staff have met with officers of various companies within the City and have
constructed a Zone Code Amendment and Local Coastal Program Amendment that does not
preclude the necessary safeguards to protect the citizenry from a proliferation of attention-getting
devices, while simultaneously allowing the expression of membership within an organization.
IV. ANALYSIS
Company or corporate flags are presently prohibited under Section 21.41.050 Prohibited Signs
"(2) Pennants, banners, streamers, whirligigs, or similar attention-getting devices ... ". At the
same time, under Section 21.41.060 the following described signs shall be exempt from the
provisions of this chapter, "(5) The flag of a government, school, or religious group or agency;".
Review of the two municipal code sections noted above reveals the intent of the City's sign
ordinance; identification rather than distraction. The proposed Zone Code Amendment and
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ZCA 96-08/LCPA 96-07 -JRPORA TE FLAGS
AUGUST 7, 1996
PAGE2
Local Coastal Program Amendment states, "In addition to all other signs otherwise herein
allowed, a single tenant lot or building, housing a non-conditionally permitted, non-retail use
within the M, C-M, or P-M zone may maintain a company flag displaying a company logo,
insignia, or registered trademark when flown on a flagpole in traditional combination with the
Federal and State Flags. Such company flag shall be no larger than four feet by six feet in size
and no more than one flag per business entity within the City's corporate boundaries is allowed.
Such company flag shall not count towards the allowable signage area, but shall be allowed only
as part of an integrated sign program subject to the approval of the Planning Director."
The issues addressed within this proposed ordinance include:
• Non-retail orientation -The retail world deals directly with the consumer, and advertising is
employed in an attempt to encourage buying. Anything that requires one to take note of or
observe or draws the attention of, works as advertising. As the intent of this ordinance is to
allow a sense of affiliation with an organization rather than offer another avenue to attract
attention, it has been constructed to preclude retail participation.
• Single lot or building only -To discourage the look of signal flags on a ship or the
construction of more than three flag poles on a site, the ordinance limits the privilege of such
display to single tenant lots or buildings.
• Limits on display -The company flag is to be flown in traditional combination with the
Federal and State Flags, so as to normalize its visual impact. To further normalize such
display, it is limited in size to 4 feet by 6 feet, and no more than one flag per business entity
is allowed.
• Sign program -To ensure that the intent and letter of this amendment is accomplished, while
not counting towards the allowable signage area, the company flag must be included as part
of an integrated sign program subject to the approval of the Planning Director.
V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Planning Director determined that this project qualifies for a Class 1 Section 15301
Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act and the filing of the
Notice of Exemption is in compliance with Section 21152b of the Public Resources Code.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 3968
2. Planning Commission Resolution No. 3969
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