REPORT TO PLANNING AND DESIGN COMMISSION City of Sacramento 5 PUBLIC HEARING June 12, 2014 To: Members of the Planning and Design Commission Subject: Newman Center Sign (P14-017) A request to construct a detached monument sign for a church that deviates from the standard size and height requirements in the Multi-Dwelling Unit (R-4) zone. A. Environmental Determination: Exempt (CEQA Guidelines Section 15311, Accessory Structures); B. Variance to allow a detached monument sign to exceed the maximum size and height requirements on approximately 3.13 acres in the Multi-Dwelling Unit (R-4) zone. C. Site Plan and Design Review to remove the existing detached sign and construct a new monument sign on the northwest corner of J Street and Carlson Drive. Location/Council District: 5900 Newman Court, Sacramento, CA 95819 Assessor s Parcel Number: 005-0241-019 Council District 3 Recommendation: Staff recommends the Commission approve the request based on the findings and subject to the conditions listed in Attachment 1. The project is noncontroversial at the time of writing this report. The Commission has final approval authority over items A-C above, and its decision is appealable to City Council. Contact: Evan Compton, Associate Planner, (916) 808-5260; Luis Sanchez, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Architect, (916) 808-5957; Stacia Cosgrove, Principal Planner, (916) 808-2659 Applicant: Dave Daly, Newman Catholic Community, 916-261-4744, 5900 Newman Court, Sacramento, CA 95819 Owner: Father Jim Doogan, Newman Catholic Community / Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, 5900 Newman Court, Sacramento, CA 95819 1
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Summary: The applicant is requesting a 36 square foot detached monument sign which is 10 feet in height. The city code allows up to 24 square feet and 6 foot in height for churches in the Multi-Dwelling Unit (R-4) zone. The project requires a Planning Commission Variance to approve the overall size and height of the detached monument sign as proposed and Site Plan and Design Review for the construction of the new sign. Site Conditions: The church has three street frontages: J Street, Carlson Drive, and Newman Court. Visibility of the church is limited from J Street and Carlson Drive because of existing landscaping. The project site is also 5 feet below the grade of the adjacent streets. (See Attachment 3) A drainage canal runs along the property frontages near the proposed sign location at the corner of J Street and Carlson Drive and the sign location is setback from the public street approximately 40 feet. (See Attachments 4 and 5) Table 1: Project Information General Plan designation: Public / Quasi Public Existing zoning of site: Multi-Unit Dwelling (R-4) Existing use of site: Assembly (Church and Community Center) Design Review area: Citywide Property area: 3.13± acres (136,343 square feet) Background Information: There is no recent record of prior planning applications affecting this property. The church has been operating at the site since 1956. The Newman Center Sign application was submitted on April 11, 2014. Public/Neighborhood Outreach and Comments: Staff sent an early project notice to the River Park Neighborhood Association, East Sacramento Preservation, East Sacramento Improvement Association, and the McKinley Elvas Neighborhood Association. Public notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the subject site and the neighborhood associations. The site was posted in advance of the public hearing. At the time of writing the staff report, there were no comments received. Environmental Considerations: The Community Development Department, Environmental Planning Services Division has reviewed this project and determined that this is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15311, Accessory Structures. The project consists of the construction and placement of a minor accessory structure, an on-premise sign, for an existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facility. Policy Considerations: The 2030 General Plan Update was adopted by City Council on March 3, 2009. The 2030 General Plan s goals, policies, and implementation programs define a roadmap to achieving Sacramento s vision to be the most livable city 3
in America. The 2030 General Plan Update designation of the subject site is Public/Quasi-Public which provides for governmental, utility, institutional, educational, cultural, religious, and social facilities and services. Neighborhood Enhancement. The City shall promote infill development, redevelopment, rehabilitation, and reuse efforts that contribute positively (e.g., architectural design) to existing neighborhoods and surrounding areas. (LU 2.1.6) Staff finds the new sign will be an attractive element to the existing church campus. Assembly Facilities. The City shall encourage and support development of assembly facilities for social, cultural, educational, and religious organizations throughout the city. (LU 8.2.1) Staff finds that the sign supports the operation of the church and is consistent with other monument signs in the area. Zoning Code: Churches are allowed to have one identification sign which may be attached or detached, not exceeding 24 square feet in area for each street frontage. The height of monument signs is limited to six feet in height and must be located farther than 10 feet from the public right-of-way. Table 2: Monument Sign Proposed for Newman Center Standard Allowed Proposed Deviation Sign Size 24 square feet 36 square feet Yes Sign Height 6 feet 10 feet Yes Project Design: Monument Sign: The applicant is proposing to remove an existing detached sign and construct a new monument sign for an existing church. The monument sign will have an overall height of 10 feet which comprises of approximately 6.2 feet for the stone base and 3.8 feet for the sign area and frame. The sign is proposed as an electronic bulletin board. It will display stationary text only and no graphics will be allowed. The Department of Transportation has reviewed the proposed monument sign and does not object to the height, size, or location of the sign. Staff supports the design because the stacked, earth tone veneer will blend with the landscaped area and the electronic bulletin board is consistent with other signs approved for churches in the area. Staff supports the Variance for additional height because the project site is 5 feet below the grade of the adjacent streets. Staff supports the larger size because the sign location is setback from the public street approximately 40 feet as a result of a drainage ditch. 4
Recommendation: Staff recommends the Commission approve the requested sign variance based on the findings and subject to the conditions listed in Attachment 1 because the project: a) provides an appropriate height considering the site s lower elevation from the adjacent public streets and overall size given the sign s setback from the public right of way as a result of an existing drainage canal; b) enhances wayfinding for visitors and the community; and c) provides an attractive stone base and overall scale that is consistent with other religious facilities in the neighborhood. 5
Table of Contents: Attachment 1 Proposed Findings of Fact and Conditions of Approval Exhibit A Site Plan Exhibit B Monument Sign Exhibit C Monument Sign Base Material Attachment 2 Land Use and Zoning Map Attachment 3 Site Conditions Attachment 4 Site Photo Attachment 5 View of the Site from the South Side of J Street 7
Findings of Fact Attachment 1 Proposed Findings of Fact and Conditions of Approval Newman Center Monument Sign (P14-017) 5900 Newman Court A. Environmental Determination: Exemption Based on the determination and recommendation of the City s Environmental Planning Services Manager and the oral and documentary evidence received at the hearing on the Project, the Planning and Design Commission finds that the Project is exempt from review under Section 15311, Accessory Structures of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines as follows: The project consists of the construction and placement of a minor accessory structure, an on-premise sign, for an existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facility. The project would have no significant effect on the environment. B. The Variance to allow a detached monument sign to exceed the maximum size and height requirements on approximately 3.13 acres in the Multi- Dwelling Unit (R-4) zone is approved subject to the following Findings of Fact: 1. The exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions apply that do not generally in the same district and the enforcement of the regulations of the Sign Code would have an unduly harsh result upon the utilization of the subject property in that the elevation of the church campus is 5 feet below the adjacent public streets and setback 40 feet from the public right of way as a result of a drainage ditch, requiring the proposed sign to be higher and larger for optimal visibility; 2. The variance will not result in a special privilege to one individual property owner in that prior variances have been granted to signs where visibility is diminished because of grade differences; and 3. That the requested variance will not materially and adversely affect the health and safety of persons residing or working in the neighborhood, and will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood in that the sign is consistent in scale with those of other religious facilities in the surrounding neighborhood. The location and height of the sign maintains visibility at the intersection to ensure public safety. C. The Site Plan and Design Review to remove the existing detached sign and construct a new monument sign on the northwest corner of J Street and Carlson Drive is approved subject to the following Findings of Fact: 8
1. The design, layout, and physical characteristics of the proposed monument sign are consistent with the General Plan designation of Public/Quasi Public. 2. The design, layout, and physical characteristics of the proposed monument sign are consistent with the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Design Guidelines, in that the scale of the sign and materials used are appropriate in its given context and location. 3. The infrastructure is adequate to serve the proposed development and comply with all applicable Design Guidelines and Development Standards. 4. The design, layout, and physical characteristics of the proposed monument sign are visually and functionally compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, in that the monument sign has an attractive stone base and will be less than ten feet in height. 5. The design, layout, and physical characteristics of the proposed monument sign ensure energy consumption is minimized and use of renewable energy sources is encouraged. 6. The design, layout, and physical characteristics of the proposed monument sign are not detrimental to the public health, safety, convenience or welfare of persons residing, working, visiting, or recreating in the surrounding neighborhood and will not result in the creation of a nuisance in that the sign has been setback from the intersection to maintain visibility and the sign will not display moving text or graphics. Conditions of Approval B. The Variance to allow a detached monument sign to exceed the maximum size and height requirements on approximately 3.13 acres in the Multi- Dwelling Unit (R-4) zone is approved subject to the following Conditions of Approval: B1. The existing sign shall be removed before the new sign is installed. B2. The monument sign shall not exceed 10 feet in height. B3. The monument sign shall not exceed 36 square feet in sign display area. Public Works B4. The design of walls fences and signage near intersections and driveways shall allow stopping sight distance per Caltrans standards and comply 9
with City Code Section 12.28.010 (25 foot sight triangle). Walls shall be set back 3 foot behind the sight line needed for stopping sight distance to allow sufficient room for pilasters. Landscaping in the area required for adequate stopping sight distance shall be limited 3.5 feet in height at maturity. The area of exclusion shall be determined by the Department of Public Works. C. The Site Plan and Design Review to remove the existing detached sign and construct a new monument sign on the northwest corner of J Street and Carlson Drive is approved subject to the following Conditions of Approval: C1. The applicant shall obtain all necessary building and/or sign permits. C2. The new sign shall be sited as shown on the attached site plan. C3. The base of the sign shall be finished with the stacked veneer material as shown in Exhibit C. Any changes shall require additional staff level review and approval. C4. The text on the electronic message board shall be static and a single color. Blinking and moving text is prohibited. C5. No graphics shall be displayed on the electronic sign. C6. All other notes and drawings on the final plans as submitted by the applicant are deemed conditions of approval. Any changes shall require additional review and approval. 10
Exhibit A Site Plan 11
Exhibit B Monument Sign 12
Exhibit C: Monument Sign Base Material 13
Attachment 2 Land Use & Zoning Map 14
Attachment 3: Site Conditions 15
Subject: 5900 Newman Court (P14-017) June 12, 2014 Attachment 4: Site Photo 16
Subject: 5900 Newman Court (P14-017) June 12, 2014 Attachment 5: View of Site from South Side of J Street 17