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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-09-10; Planning Commission; Minutes4 -1TY OF CANSBAD COMMISSIONERS , b MINUTES OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: PLANNING COMMISSION September 10, 1968 1 7:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROLL CALL: Also present were City Attorney Wilson, Assistant City Engineer Spano, Building Inspector Osburn, and Planning Director Olinghouse. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (a) Minutes of the regular meeting of August 27, 196 were approved as corrected. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: (a) The Secretary read a letter dated September 10, 1968, addressed to Mrs. Rollin Smith, from the Carlsbad Planning Commission, expressing their deep- est sympathy over the loss of one of its members, who offered the Commission and the citizens of Carls- bad a spirit and interest in the Community. Chairman Little asked that everyone stand for a mornen of silence in memory of Rollin Smith, who passed away August 28, 1968. ORAL CUMMUNICATIONS: (a) GLENN E. McCOMAS, 1265 Cynthia Lane, Carlsbad, California, addressed the Commission and stated some time ago the Commission received a letter from the San Diego County Planning Congress. Enclosed was a letter from the La Mesa Planning Commission suggestin that the Planning Congress be discontinued. The general motive of the Planning Congress 7s to get Commissions to meet and to exchange ideas and opinion The suggestion that the Congress be dissolved will be brought up at the Board of Directors Meeting in the fall. He suggested that the Commission recommend to keep the Congress in session. Commissioner Palmateer stated that he was in favor of continuing the Congress and felt that the meetings were enjoyable and interesting. After further consideration, the Chairman directed that a letter be sent to the San Diego County .Plannin Congress stating the Carlsbad Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the letter dated July 29, 1968, and feel that the Planning Congress is a worth- while organization and should be continued. PUBLIC HEARING: (a) PROPOSED SIGN ORDINANCE - To consider an amend- ment to Ordinance No. 9060, concerning the adoption of a sign ordinance. Motion Ayes Abstain r COMMISSIONERS -2- The Secretary read the City Council and Planning Commission Policy for Public Hearings concerning proposed ordinance amendments, adopted by the City Council May 7, 1963. Commissioner Snedeker made three minor changes to the wording of the proposed ordinance and requested that these changes be made for clarification. Chairman Little stated tha the final copy of the ordinance was presented to the City Council. The Planning Director began his report by presenting a Sign Ordinance Survey of California Cities, prepare by the Planning Director of the City of Eureka. He read several questions included in the survey and wha the responses were. He stated that hjs report will be a comparison of several sign ordinances existing in other cities. The comparison is based on three elements: size, height, and moritorium period. As to the comparison of size, he stated that the model ordinance of the American Institute of Architects is 1 1/2 sq. ft. per lineal building front foot or 1/2 sq. ft. per lineal lot front foot; the California Electric Sign Association is 40% of front building face or 4 sq. ft. per lineal building ft.; the City 06 Santa Clara has 4 means: 1) 2 sq. ft. for 1 ft. of street frontage devoted to business use; 2) 3 sq. ft. for 100 sq. ft. of building gpound floor area. Total sign area not to exceed 600 sq. ft.; 3) 6 sq. ft. for 100 sq. ft. of building ground floor area. Total sign area not to exceed 900 sq. ft.; 4) 3/4 sq. ft. of lot area devoted to commerical or industrial land use; the City of Santa Barbara is computed by street frontage; the City of Los Altos is 40 sq. ft. maxi- mum; and the City of Fremont is 160 sq. ft. maximum; and the City of Carlsbad is 1.5 sq. ft. The maxi- mum height for freestanding signs areas follows: The A.I.A. recommends in commercial zone 20 ft.; the California Electric Sign Association recommends 40 ft.; the City of Santa Barbara-30 ft. the City of Fremont-30ft. The moritorium period comparison is as follows: the A.I.A. is 3 years from date-of enact- ment of ordinance or 5 years from date of constructic the California Electric Sign Association is 10 years; the Town of La Jolla is 1 year; the City of Santa Barbara is 5 years and the City of Riverside has a 3 year moritorium period. He stated that California Tomorrow made a survey and finds that 5 years is the average in most states. Chairman Little stated that this ordinance has been established for the City of Carlsbad and has been studied and worked on by two Planning Directors. Many field trips have been made by the Planning Department and also many hours of outside meetings with business men in town and other interested parties. The Planning DiFector introduced Mr. Raymond Knowles, a member of the American Institute of Architects and stated he will present a movie this evening, which has been prepared by the A.I.A. .. -3- MR. RAYMOND KNOWLES, addressed the Commission and stated he is an architect and that his office is i Vista. The title of the movie is called "No Time for Ugliness". The program covers city ptanning a also compares the larger cities to the smaller cit The movie covers the basic concernof clutter in ma communities from lack of control of billboards, si pedestrians and traffic. He stated that this movi may help enlighten the community as to what the existing conditions are and what the community ma) to enhance the City. He then presented the movie. After the movie presentation, the Planning Directo introduced Mr. Dewhurst, a guest of Commissioner Dewhurst. MR. DEWHURST, addressed the Commission and stated is a representative of the Board of Trustees in La Jolla. He stated that he has served, for many yea as planning Commissioner for the City of San Diego He pointed out that La Jolla has a Town Council which is an unoffical legislative body, having no legal powers, except recommendations to the City a San Diego. All ordinances are adopted through the San Diego City Council. La Jolla has been success in the sign control and have had many communities inquire what their experiences have been, what the results were, and also what mistakes the) did make. He stated that the Community of Point Loma have been seeking to emulate the experiences in La Jolla and by doing hhis Mr. Richards has mad thorough studies and has taken many photographs of both La Jolla and Point Loma, which are very effec in contrast. Mr. Richards will present these slides thivevening, but unfortunately was not able to get the slides of La Jolla. He hoped that this presentation would help the Community and sincerely hoped that the Commission and Council wc take prompt action and not be like to many communi with to little, to late. MR. SIN BRUCE RICHARDS,presented the slides-of Point Loma illustrating some areas of clutterness also areas of good planning. The Chairman opened the public hearing at 9:Ol P. and announced the Commission would now hear from a one wishing to speak in favor or in opposition of the proposed ordinance. MR. ROYCE BOND, 240 Chinquapin, Carlsbad, stated he did not believe this proposed ordinance is lega as to the moritorium period. As it applies to a small group of businessmen, he felt that it should not be held as a restriction. He stated that the Commission is looking at this from a residential area only and felt that it is unfair for the busin community, as the sign restrictions are on them on He did not think this proposed ordinance was going to do what the Commission wants it to do, as most the ugly signs in Carlsbad are the paper signs. n !nd ;ies. 1 ny e r do he Irs, If IfUl ! r le :ti Vt? tu1 d tie:;! and Iny- .1 I ess of COMMISSIONERS '"ITY OF CARLSSAD - J \' -4- COMMISSIONERS Mr. Bond also pointed out that with the May Company development the downtown businesses need as much attention getting as possible. Up to the present time, it has been proven that Carlsbad does need sigr more so than any other community, in the fact that Carlsbad is somewhat a tourist town. This proposed ordinance does put a financial burden on the busines: man and believed that the Commission would find that the money that would be required to replace approxim- ately 90%. of the signs in Carlsbad could be spent to help improve the downtown business district for installing underground utilities. He believed that the freeway sets up a special situation in Carlsbad, that La Jolla or Point Loma do not have. The State has spent millions of dollars to enlarge their own directional signs and realize the value and necessitj of signs. He suggested that the Commission refer to the original sign ordinance and make amendments to it. He would personally like to see, with the exception of the freeway signs, a 35' height limit, a 40% footage of building and 200 sq. ft. max. sign He remarked that if the May Company was given a special excemption to the sign ordinance, that it ma? not be illegal but it is surely immoral. EDWARD McMANN, member of the WesterhOil Gas Associa- tion, representative of the Petroleum Industry and also District Manager of Shell Oil Stations, stated he was not here this evening to speak for signs for service stations, but to work with the Commission in anyway he can to help develop an ordiaance that is fair, equitable and that will serve the needs of the City of Carlsbad. He stated he also has with : him this evening, from Shell Oil Company, Mr. Don Anderson, from their Real Estate Bepartment, and Mr. John Williams, from their Engineering Department whom may be of assistancd to the Commission.' He also stated they agree that there is a need for sign regulation, but do not feel that the sign ordinance that is proposed serves all the needs of everyones concern. He felt that a better approach would be to decide what is needed for the particular-business at hand. A sign is wanted that can be seen safely from the freeway and that can be seen for the people who need them.. As far as non-conforming signs, are concerned, there would be no problem if this approacl were taken. The proposed ordinance would effectivel; put Sim's Shell Station out of business. There seem! to be a problem resulting from attempting to apply these absolute standards and also the problem of no provisions for variances. He suggested that the proposed ordinance define reasonable limits as far as the distance ahead that the sign may be seen and to define Peasonable limits as to the size of a sign that is needed to provide safe visibility. He statec they do not have any firm recommendations, but would rather suggest an ordinance that would fulfill the needs of individual use for the property. GENE MOLA, Director of the California Electric Sign Association, stated he would like to make a correctil The A.I.A. ordinance and the California Electric Sigl Association ordinance is not and never will be a model ordinance. The Guideline Standards for On Premise Signs is electric on premise signs only. He stated that this book is in use throughout the natiol and that some cities have adopted this book as their sign ordinance. As far as non-conforming signs are concerned, the California Electric Sign Association mentions a moritorium period of 10 years, however, there are other considerations. This is a local situation and it has to be equitable. The fact that the average resident turns over an average of 7 to 9 years in most cities, while the average businessmal turns over an average of 17 to 18 years. He pointed out that the State of Oregon took an impartial surve: 9% of the people objected to signs, and 89% objected to clutter. The City of Arcadia passed a restricted ordinance and non-conformance act was put into effect. One year from date, from the time the signs came down, the records did show a 45% vacancy factor in return. The Arcadia City Council, upon request of the businessmen, eliminated the ordinance and are considering a new sign ordinance this evening. He stated he would be happy to assist the Commission in anyway possible. DONALD DUNHAM, 2822 State Street, Carlsbad, stated he has been wondering what has happened to America's free enterprize. Being a businessman for the last 16 years, he has had harrassment from the State government, Federal government and the County and he did not think he needed any harassment from the loca' government. He felt that this proposed ordinance is definitely a harrassment to the businessmen and a breakdown of the economic system. He felt that more important than size and height is the economic structure of the community. He stated that part of the ordinance was copied from the Del Mar sign ordinance, who in Southern California has the lowest sales tax rate per capita. He pointed out that in approximately one and a half years his theater will be paid for and stated that he has every reason to remodel the front of the building. He remarked that when he does remodel his building, if anything, he will put up a bigger marquee. He felt that the proposed ordinance was not given proper and sound study in some areas. MR. DONALD LOGENSON, District Sales Representative for Standard Oil, stated that they are desirous of working with each community. He stated he has spent 30 years in the industry and have Seen many strives toward improving their stations. He stated that there station is located by an elevated freeway and by putting a 40 ft. sign above the ground, this station would not be visable from the freeway. They have a payroll of approximately $70,000 a year. It would be cut in half from an economic stand point if COMMISSIONERS -6- this ordinance was adopted. He felt that the ordi- nance should not specify a standard height, but should be considered on individual basis. MR. HUGH VICKERY,5192 Carlsbad Boulevard, stated th a test should be made in Carlsbad, turning all ligh signs off for a period of 30 days. After the 30 da ask each businessman what their revenue was for the past month and then check to see what the City lost in the past month. He gave example of different areas where there were large lighted signs and felt that the signs wePe very attractive and would also attract people to the city. HARRY TRUAX, 4125 Harbor Drive, Carls’bad, stated he can not honestly say that he has ever heard of any Planning Director or Planning Commission who feels that their sign ordinance is adequate. He felt tha one of the major faults in the proposed ordinance i that it does not have a very direct variance procedi He felt that the ordinance is too restrictive and that there should be a variance procedure spelled out, so that someone could apply. for a variance and expect it to be heard and to have it granted. MYRTLE BROOM, representing Carlsbad City Beautfful, stated the City Beautiful is working for Beauty and do know that beauty is good business.She stated tha. the Committee wants to do what they can to make Carlsbad Beautiful. Chairman Little announced the Commission would now hear from any others wishing to speak in favor or in opposition of the proposed ordinance. As there were no others wishing to speak in favor, the Chairman announced the public hearing closed at 9:48 P. M. Commissioner Palmateer stated that it seems that the Commission needs to continue study on this pro posed ordinance until they can arrive at something that is acceptable to the City. Commissioner Jose stated that he did not think.it was the thought of the previous Planning Director, the present Planning Director or the members that served on the committee, that this ordinance would satis-fu all. He stated that they did try to come up with a document allowing variance, taking into consideration special circumstances such as the lower elevation of certain service stations along t, freeway. But based upon what has been heard this evening, he stated he would like to entertain a motion, that the Commissioners and Planning Departmel delve into this ordinance again and see if they can make it a more salable ordinance. COMMISSIONERS L "ITY OF CARLSBAD " I -7- Chairman Little stated that he was not sure that he would want to continue this for further study. He felt that at the present time, there is not an ordinance that is adequate to control signs that will be coming into the City while the proposed ordinance is being studied. Commissioner Gullett suggested that amendments could be made to eliminate some of these situations that Seem to be a problem, such as putting in a variance procedure. When questioned hsw long it will take to review and study the contents again, tHe.planning Director stated he felt that it is necessary to study the proposed ordinance again and to look at all possible changes that might have to be made. He stated that he has not had the opportunity to make a complete- study, but did not know exactly how long'it would take to revise and study this ordinance. After further discussion, the pr'evious motion made to continue further study on the proposed sign ordinance was carried. OLD BUSINESS: (a) There was no old business. NEW BUSINESS: (a) There was no new business. ADJOURNMENT: (a) By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 1O:OZ P. M. Respectfully submitted, TONI J. DERRIGO, Recording Secretary COMMISSIONERS Motion Roll Ayes Noes Cal i