HomeMy WebLinkAboutPS 98-132; Cornerstone Corporate Centre; Sign Permits/Programs (PS) (10)The City of Carlsbad Planning Department
A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
P.C. AGENDA OF: May 19,1999
Application complete date: NIA
Project Planner: Chs DeCerbo
Project Engineer: NIA
SUBJECT: PS 98-132 - CORNERSTONE CORPORATE CENTRE SIGN PROGRAM -
Request for an appeal of the Planning Director’s decision to deny a sign program
for the Cornerstone Corporate Centre office project located on lots 7, 8, 11 and 15
in the Carlsbad Airport Center (Specific Plan 181(A)) adjacent to Palomar Oaks
Way and Wright Place in Local Facilities Management Zone 5.
I. RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 4558, upholding
the Planning Director’s decision to DENY PS 98-132, a Sign Program for the Cornerstone
Corporate Centre, based upon the findings contained therein.
11. INTRODUCTION
The applicant is requesting that the Planning Commission overturn the Planning Director’s
denial of a Sign Program for the Cornerstone Corporate Centre office project which is located in
the Carlsbad Airport Center (Specific Plan 18l(A)). The proposed sign program includes up to
four (4) tenant wall signs to be displayed along each building elevation whereas the Sign
Requirements of the Carlsbad Airport Center Specific Plan allow either one (1) tenant wall sign
per building elevation or smaller multiple tenant signs to be located at the building entrance(s).
Staff recommends that the Planning Director’s decision to deny PS 98-132 be upheld by the
Planning Commission in that the sign program does not comply with the Sign and Graphic
Requirements of Specific Plan 18 1 (A).
111. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
On October 20, 1998, the project applicant submitted a Sign Program (PS 98-132) for the
Cornerstone Corporate Centre (See Exhibit ”A”), an office project which is located within the
Carlsbad Airport Center. Specific Plan 18 1 (A) regulates all development within the Carlsbad
Airport Center. Pursuant to Specific Pan 181(A), each project within the specific plan area is
required to have a sign program approved by the Planning Director. Upon the approval of a sign
program by the Planning Director, all individual project signs are subsequently required to
comply with the sign program.
The approval of a project sign program by the Planning Director is contingent upon it being
found to be in compliance with the Sign and Graphic Requirements of Specific Plan 181(A) (See
Exhibit “B”). As discussed below in the “Analysis” section of this staff report, the proposed
Sign Program 98-132 does not comply with the Sign and Graphic Requirements of Specific Plan
PS 98-132 - CORNERSTONE CORPORATE CENTRE SIGN PROGRAM
May 19,1999
~ SPECIFIC PLAN SIGN STANDARD
18 1 (A). Accordingly, on December 4, 1998 and again on March 10, 1999 correspondence was
sent to the project applicant identifying what the project (Sign Program) issues were (see analysis
section of this staff report) and requesting that Sign Program 98-132 be revised to comply with
the sign provisions of Specific Plan 181(A). In the interim, Planning staff met on several
occasions with the project applicant to clearly discuss the identified Sign Program issues relative
to the applicant’s project signage requests, and the need for the applicant to process an
amendment to Specific Plan 181(A) in order to enable the consideration and possible
achievement of the proposed project signage. Rather than processing an amendment to SP
18l(A), on March 22, 1999, the project applicant submitted a request to the Planning
Commission to appeal the Planning Director’s decision on Sign Program 98-132. The subject
appeal request is processed pursuant to Section 21.54.140 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code and
contends that, “the Planning Director has applied an interpretation of the applicable language of
the Specific Plan which is at odds with its meaning and is therefore in error in denying the
approval of the proposed sign program”.
Only one single or double-faced permanent sign 1 (wall or ground mounted) per street frontage per
tenant (except as otherwise indicated). The
exception refers to multi-tenant buildings (see 1 #2 below).
Sign Program 98-132 is subject to the Sign and Graphic Requirements of the Carlsbad Airport
Center Specific Plan 18 1 (A).
IV. ANALYSIS
The recommendation to uphold the Planning Director’s decision to deny PS 98-132 is based
upon the finding that the subject sign program does not comply with the Sign and Graphic
Requirements of Specific Plan 181 (A) as discussed below.
Table I includes a summary comparison of the Sign and Graphic Requirements of SP 18 1 (A)
relative to the signage proposed through Sign Program 98- 132.
I TABLE 1 - COMPLIANCE WITH SIGN AND GRAPHIC REOULREMENTS OF SP 181tA)
General Sign Standard:
PROPOSED SIGN PROGRAM
Up to four wall (4) signs and 1
monument sign per street frontage
per building.
COMPLIES
NO
PS 98-132 - CORNERSTONE CORPORATE CENTRE SIGN PROGRAM
May 19,1999
Page 3
Buildings which do not front along Palomar
Airport Road:
1.
4.
Single-Tenant Buildings - Maximum of
1 wall sign per street frontage.
a. Maximum of 200 square feet of signage
(ground or wall signs) per lot.
b. Maximum of one and one-half square feet of wall signage per foot of lineal
building frontage.
Multi-Tenant IndustriaVOffice Bldgs - Each tenant may have a wall sign over the
entrance. Each sign shall be limited to 5 square feet in area with a letter height not to
exceed 6” high.
Buildings “A” - “C”
1. None of the buildings are proposed as single tenant
occupancy.
2. Building “A”-“C” - Each
building includes from 6 to 12 tenant wall signs and 1 to 4 signs
per building elevation. Each of the
signs are larger than 5 square feet
in area, have letter heights ranging from 18” - 24” tall, and area
located above the entrance, but are instead prominently displayed
along the building elevations.
NIA
NO
To summarize, for single tenant buildings within the Carlsbad Airport Center which do not
front along Palomar Airport Road, the Sign and Graphic Requirements of SP 181(A) allow
one (1) sign (wall or ground mounted) per street frontage and a maximum of 200 square feet of
signage per lot. Notwithstanding the provision which allows only one (1) sign per street
frontage, the specific location of single tenant building signage is not further regulated.
For single tenant buildings which do front along Palomar Airport Road, the Sign and
Graphic Requirements of SP 181(A) allow a maximum of four (4) wall signs per building, two
(2) wall signs per street frontage and a maximum of 100 square feet of wall signage per building.
For multi-tenant industriaVoffice buildings which either front or do not front along Palomar
Airport Road, each tenant is allowed a wall sign (restricted to a maximum 5 square foot area and
a maximum 6 inch letter height) that must be located over the building entrance. No other wall
sims are Dermitted for multi-tenant buildinps.
Sign Program 98-132 indicates that none of the buildings within the Cornerstone Corporate
Center are proposed as single tenant buildings. Accordingly, all of the buildings are regarded as
multi-tenant industriaYoffice buildings and are therefore subject to the applicable standards. As
shown in Table 1 above, Sign Program 98-132 clearly does not comply with the Carlsbad Airport
Center Specific Plan sign standards for multi-tenant buildings. The proposed project signage
does not comply with respect to: 1) the number of tenant wall signs per building elevation (1
PS 98-132 - CORNERSTONE CORPORATE CENTRE SIGN PROGRAM
May 19,1999
sign permitted; up to 4 signs proposed), 2) the maximum sign area per sign (5 square feet
permitted; in excess of 5 square feet proposed), 3) the location of wall signs (permitted over
building entrance; proposed along 1st and 2nd story building facias) and 4) sign letter height (6”
permitted; 18”- 24” proposed).
Staff acknowledges that the sign provisions of SP 181(A) are more restrictive for multi-tenant
compared to single-tenant buildings. However, these sign standards allow for the “reasonable
identification” of businesses within the Carlsbad Airport Center without compromising building
architecture or creating sign clutter. This community objective is particularly important for
buildings that are located along or visible from Palomar Airport Road, which is designated as a
future community theme (“scenic”) corridor. As a general rule, with the exception of a few non-
conforming wall signs that were issued in error, these Specific Plan sign standards have been
consistently applied to all projects within this business-park. It is also important to note that
these same sign standards apply to other industriaVoffice developments with approved sign
programs within the City.
In conclusion, because Sign Program 98-132 does not comply with the Sign and Graphic
Requirements of Specific Plan 1 8l(A), staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt
Planning Commission Resolution No. 4558 upholding the Planning Director’s decision to deny
Sign Program (PS 98-132). Pursuant to Section 21.54.140 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the
Planning Commission action on this matter is final and is not subject to further appeal to the City
Council.
V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Cornerstone Corporate Centre Sign Program (PS 98-132) was denied and is, therefore,
exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15270 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
In the event the Planning Commission approves the applicant’s appeal of PS 98-132, then the
Sign Program must be sent back to staff for environmental processing.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4558 (PS)
2. Location Map
3. Appeal Letter from Applicant, dated March 22,1999
4. Exhibit “A” - Cornerstone Corporate Centre Sign Program, dated September 24, 1998.
5. Exhibit “B” - Sign and Graphic Requirements of Specific Plan 18 1 (A).
6. Copy of original application
7. Letter dated December 4, 1998 to Dave Holt
8. Letter dated March 10, 1999 to Scott Brusseau
CD:eh:mh
CORNERSTONE CORPORATE
CENTRE
PS 98-132
LAW OFFICES OF
STANLEY D. PROWSE
CAMINO CORPORATE CENTER
2385 CAMINO VlDA ROBLE. SUITE 101
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92009-1509
TELEPHONE (760) 438-8460
FAX (7601 438-4379
March 22,1999
Secretary, Planning Commission
City of Carlsbad
2075 Los Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92009- 1576
Re: Cornerstone Corporate Centre Sign Program
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We represent Cornerstone Corporate Centre, the developer of a four building class A
office building project adjacent to Wright Place and Palomar Oaks Way in the City
of Carlsbad.
Cornerstone Corporate Centre hereby appeals the decision of the Planning Director,
by Chris DeCerbo, Principal Planner, denying approval of the sign program proposed
by Cornerstone Corporate Centre pursuant to the provisions of Specific Plan 18 1 (A)
as amended July 1991 requiring the approval by the Planning Director of a sign
program as a precondition to the issuance of any sign permit.
The reason for this appeal is that Cornerstone Corporate Centre is unable to fulfil its
obligations to tenants to erect signage on the buildings without the approval of a sign
program by the Planning Director. The manner in which the decision of the Planning
Director is in error in denying approval of the sign program submitted by
Cornerstone Corporate Centre is that the proposed sign program complies in every
respect with the plain language of Specific Plan 18 1 (A) as amended, but that the
Planning Director has applied an 'interpretation' of the applicable language of the
Specific Plan which is totally at odds with its plain meaning.
Secretary, Planning Commission
Page 2
March 22, 1999
We look forward to receiving a notification from you regarding the date, time and
place where the appeal will be heard by the Planning Commission, after receipt of
which we will submit a detailed brief for the Commission’s consideration. Thank you
for your anticipated cooperation.
VStanley D. Prowse
SDP: mjg
cc: Scott R. Brusseau
John Couvillion
," . .,.
' : ,.
SIGNS MAX.
ITEM #5B ~-
CLIENT APPROVAL:
I HAVE READ.UNDElSTOOD.AND APPROVE THIS DRAWING fOR PRODUCTION
AGR1ED DATE
F DESCRIPTION t -*
- ' 18' MAX.
- .I
FABRICATION STANDARDS: C R ITER I A STAN DA R DS:
Individually mounted internally illuminated (or non-illuminated)
fabricated aluminum reverse pan channel letters finished with
polyurethane paint to match frazee #8720W "Pongee Tint".
Internal illumination to be I3mm or I5mm 4500 30ma white
neon. Letter backs to be 3/ 16" clear lexan. Letters to be
pin-mounted I 112" off building fascia.
24" maximum letter height
200 square feet maximum aggregate sign area
per building Quantity - maximum two (2) per elevation
Landlord approved tenant logo typestyle or
project typestyle.
ITEM 56 - FIRST FLOOR TENANT I.D.
Same as above, with the exception of 18" letter height maximum
and fifty square feet (50 sq, ft.) sign area maximum.
-$ 24"
18"
MAX.
MAX.
i
BUILDING C & D - WEST ELEVATION 144 linear feet
- EXHIBIT "B"
F.
21
-
C.
d.
0.
1.
0.
23
.- A
24
12/64/1998 16: 33 7667413486 HILT DESIGN .. -‘ DEC-04-98 FA1 15:29 ClMF CARLSBAD COm DE FAX NO, 4360864 - PE 63 P. 02
Doc;mbor 4,1998
Mr. Dave Holt Hofi hip 181s S. Cimis Avc.
Ewmdido, Califorair 92027
Subject: Corneretone Corporata Cmur Slgm Program
Dear Mr. Holt,
The sign program far the Comcmone Corpontc Centre that you submitted for rWsW wth the Planning Dspamnent is not consistent with the Cerlsbed Airpofi Centre Specific Plan (SP 181). The SpeCiric Plan statce that in multi-tenant indumlial buildings, each individual bu.sinwa may have a wall sign over the to idem@ the tsnult. Th6 said sign will eivc only the name ofthe company and will be limited to six inches high and shall not exceed a maximum of five rqwe faer. Thmfom, please revise the
pmp06& Uip program to include OM wd sign over each 0nCrancs in accdanCe with the
above mentioned criteria urd delete other -sed tenant wd1 urn.
If you have any spcciiic qumtions or concerns regarding Ihis please call me at 438.1 161
uxt. 4329,
Sinccrcl y, e Planning Intern
1K:ch
2075 Le$ Pelmes DT. Garlebad, CA 92009-1376 (TOO) 438-1161 - FAX (760) a3b-0894 @
- City of Carlsbad
March 10, 1999
Mr. Scott Brusseau
2 1 17 Industrial Court, Suite C
Vista, CA 92083
Dear Scott:
It was a pleasure meeting with you on March 9, 1999 to discuss the proposed Cornerstone
Corporate Center Sign Program. As we discussed at this meeting, the proposed Sign
Program does not conform with the Sign and Graphic Provisions of Specific Plan 18 1 (A).
Specifically, the sign provisions of SP 18 1 (A) allow the following signage:
Buildings which front Palomar Airport Road (i.e.; Building “D’)
1. Maximum of 100 square feet of wall signage per building.
2. Maximum of 4 wall signs per building.
3. Maximum of 2 wall signs per elevation.
Buildings which do not front along Palomar Airport Road (ie.; Buildings “A-C”)
1. Maximum of 200 square feet of signage per lot.
2. Maximum of one and one-half square feet of wall signage per foot of lineal
building frontage.
3. Single-tenant buildings -Maximum of 1 wall sign per building.
4. Multi-tenant buildings - Each tenant may have a wall sign over the entrance.
Each sign shall be limited to 6” high and not exceed 5 square feet in area.
If you have any questions or concerns please call me at (760) 438-1 161, Extension
4445.
Sincerely,
CHRIS DeCERBO
Principal Planner
c: Assistant Planning Director
2075 La Palmas Dr. - Carlsbad, CA 92009-1576 (760) 438-1161 - FAX (760) 438-0894 @