HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Commission - Minutes - 2013-11-26 - RegularPLANNING COMMISSION
• TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 26, 2013 - 7:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Cordes
2. ROLL CALL - Commissioners Curran, Horton, O'Leary, Vice - Chairman Leung,
Chairman Cordes
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Commissioners: - Curran, Horton, O'Leary, Leung, Cordes
Commissioners: - None
ALSO PRESENT: Community Development Director Persico, City Attorney
Murphy, Planning Manager Starns, Associate Planner Gulick,
Management Analyst Sun, Bruce Jacobson, Jacobson & Wack,
Laura Stetson, MIG Hogle- Ireland, and Community
Development Secretary Venters
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
• 5. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Planning Commission is requested to review and approve:
1) Minutes of the Planning Commission Special Meeting of November 7,
2013.
2) Minutes of the Joint Parks and Recreation and Planning Commission
Meeting of November 12, 2013.
Recommendation: Approve.
Commissioner Horton moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by
Commissioner O'Leary and carried by Roll Call Vote.
AYES: Commissioner - Curran, Horton, O'Leary, Leung, Cordes
NOES: Commissioner -None
ABSENT: Commissioner -None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner -None
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. A PUBLIC WORKSHOP OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF TEMPLE CITY TO INTRODUCE AND KICK -OFF THE 2014 SIGN CODE
UPDATE.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 26, 2013
Page 2 of 5 Pages
RECOMMENDATION: DISCUSS AND PROVIDE COMMENT ON THE
LIMITATION OF THE CURRENT SIGN CODE
AND VISIONING FOR SIGN CODE UPDATE.
Community Development Director Persico introduced Bruce Jacobson,
Jacobson & Wack, and Laura Stetson, MIG Hogle- Ireland, to the Planning
Commission. Mr. Jacobson and Ms. Stetson met with local business owners
and sign contractors and will provide opportunity for several ideas.
Bruce Jacobson, Jacobson & Wack, provided an overview of signage
objectives, why sign regulations are important, brand recognition, aesthetic
improvement, direction, and the goal of the proposed Sign Code Update.
Laura Stetson, MIG Hogle- Ireland, defined and provided examples for the
following signs: onsite signs, offsite signs, free standing signs, monument
signs, pole or pylon signs, canopy signs, projecting and blade signs, roof
signs, banners, pennant signs, A -frame signs, window signage, painted wall
signs, changeable copy signs, channel letter signs, cabinet signs, and
raceway signs. She explained that all signs are regulated by zones requiring
review by the Planning Division. She identified which signs currently require a
CUP, are allowable, and not allowable. The objective is to improve the
commercial district, allow creativity, and provide clear sign regulations.
Stakeholders have voiced that cabinet signs have evolved, that illuminated
signage should be optional, to allow changeable signs, relax temporary sign
regulations, and provide proactive enforcement. Once the City adopts a Sign
Ordinance, visible change does not typically occur right away.
Bruce Jacobson, Jacobson & Wack, observed there are several attractive
signs however, nearly half of the signs in the City are not lit and cannot be
viewed at night.
Commissioner Curran commented regarding Exhibit three addressing the
purpose of signs.
Commissioner Horton asked about Non - English language signs.
City Attorney Murphy stated that English language requirements will be
brought back to the Planning Commission in a Staff Report.
Commissioner Horton asked Community Development Director Persico about
Facade Improvement Programs.
Community Development Director Persico responded that the Facade
Improvement Program is not funded for this fiscal year however there has
been discussion about bringing it back.
Commissioner O'Leary asked about rear signage.
•
"
"
"
P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n M i n u t e s
N o v e m b e r 2 6 , 2 0 1 3
P a g e 3 o f 5 P a g e s
B r u c e J a c o b s o n , J a c o b s o n & W a c k , i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e C i t y i s g e n e r o u s
r e g a r d i n g s i g n a g e , a l l o w i n g f r o n t , s i d e , a n d r e a r s i g n a g e . T h e m a i n e f f o r t i s
t o h a v e r e g u l a t i o n s t h a t b r i n g a h i g h e r q u a l i t y o f t h e f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t w h i l e
b e i n g a w a r e o f t h e c o s t o f t h e p e r m i t p r o c e s s .
V i c e - C h a i r m a n L e u n g a s k e d i f t h e p r o p o s e d S i g n C o d e U p d a t e p e r t a i n s t o
c o m m e r c i a l s i g n s o n l y .
C i t y A t t o r n e y M u r p h y c l a r i f i e d t h a t t h e p r o p o s e d S i g n C o d e U p d a t e o n l y
p e r t a i n s t o c o m m e r c i a l s i g n a g e a t t h i s t i m e . O t h e r t y p e s o f s i g n a g e s u c h a s
r e s i d e n t i a l , p o l i t i c a l , a n d / o r r e l i g i o u s s i g n s w i l l b e d i s c u s s e d a t a l a t e r d a t e .
C h a i r m a n C o r d e s a s k e d i f t h e r e i s a n y t h i n g m i s s i n g f r o m t h e c u r r e n t C i t y
S i g n O r d i n a n c e s i n c e i t d a t e s b a c k t o 1 9 6 0 .
B r u c e J a c o b s o n , J a c o b s o n & W a c k , r e p l i e d t h a t s t a n d a r d s f o r i c o n i c s i g n s
a r e n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e C i t y ' s c o d e .
C o m m i s s i o n e r C u r r a n a s k e d a b o u t a m o r t i z a t i o n f o r s i g n a g e .
L a u r a S t e t s o n , M I G H o g l e - I r e l a n d , e x p l a i n e d t h a t a m o r t i z a t i o n s t a n d a r d s
h a v e c h a n g e d s i n c e 1 9 6 0 . I f t h e C i t y s e t s u p a n a m o r t i z a t i o n p r o c e s s a l l
s i g n s w o u l d h a v e t o b e i n v e n t o r i e d .
B r u c e J a c o b s o n , J a c o b s o n & W a c k , s u g g e s t e d t h a t a m o r t i z a t i o n c o u l d a p p l y
t o a s p e c i f i c t y p e o f s i g n t h a t t h e C i t y d o e s n o t f e e l i s a t t r a c t i v e .
C h a i r m a n C o r d e s o p e n e d t h e w o r k s h o p f o r p u b l i c f o r c o m m e n t .
J i m C l i f t , T e m p l e C i t y r e s i d e n t , s p o k e i n f a v o r o f p r e s e r v i n g i c o n i c s i g n a g e .
J e r r y J a m b a z i a n , T e m p l e C i t y b u s i n e s s o w n e r , s p o k e i n f a v o r o f p r e s e r v i n g
i c o n i c s i g n s . H e a l s o c o m m e n t e d o n l a c k o f l i g h t i n g a t b u s i n e s s s i t e s .
L i n d a P a y n e , T e m p l e C i t y b u s i n e s s o w n e r , s p o k e i n f a v o r c r e a t i n g a t h e m e o r
c o n t i n u i t y f o r t h e C i t y t h a t t i e s a p a r t i c u l a r l o o k t o g e t h e r .
L a u r a S t e t s o n , M I G H o g l e - I r e l a n d , t h a n k e d t h e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n a n d t h e
p u b l i c f o r t h e i r i n p u t . A S t a f f R e p o r t i s t a r g e t e d t o b e p r e s e n t e d t o t h e
P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n s p r i n g o f n e x t y e a r .
8 . C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
A . C H A I R M A N D I S C U S S I O N R E G A R D I N G C O M M I S S I O N A P P O I N T M E N T S .
C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t D i r e c t o r P e r s i c o i n t r o d u c e d T e m p l e C i t y Y o u t h
C o m m i t t e e M e m b e r s , C y n t h i a W o n g a n d S e r e n a L i n w h o s e r v e a s l i a i s o n s t o
t h e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n .
Planning Commission Minutes
November 26, 2013
Page 4 of 5 Pages
Cynthia Wong and Serena Lin explained their roles in the Youth Committee.
Community Development Director Persico announced that Ms. Lin and Ms.
Wong will host two events for the upcoming General Plan. One event will
take place before the end of the school year and the second event will take
place mid -year of the following school year. The City initiated a Yard of the
Quarter program to recognize well maintained landscaping. Three awards
will be issued to represent each section of the City. The judging committee
includes Commissioner Curran.
Chairman Cordes provided an update from the November 14th SR -710 North
Study Advisory Committee (SOAC). He provided input to the Planning
Commission about the extension of the 710 freeway, the Environmental
Impact Report, and consideration of developing a four to four and a half mile
tunnel under the City of South Pasadena to alleviate street traffic.
9. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS - None
UPDATE FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Community Development Director Persico updated the Planning Commission
regarding City Council actions on the Site Plan Review process. The City Council
resolved that Zoning Clearances are ministerial for small scale additions over the
counter and first story additions Tess than 500 feet. Second story additions would be
require a Minor Site Plan review including a 100 foot radius noticing. No Public
Hearing would be required. Major Site Plan Reviews include Multi - Family,
Commercial, and Industrial projects. The City Council introduced the 2014 Building
Code at their last meeting. The 2014 Building Code will go into effect in January if it
is approved.
Planning Manager Starns announced that the Olson Project, two land use items, and
the Housing Element will be heard at the December 10th Planning Commission
Meeting.
11. COMMISSION ITEMS SEPARATE FROM THE REGULAR AGENDA
Commissioner O'Leary requested to have the Planning Commission Meeting
adjourned in honor of Kevin Fish.
•
•
•
Planning Commission Minutes
November 26, 2013
Page 5 of 5 Pages
•
12. ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission Meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. to the Planning
Commission Meeting of December 10, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council
Chamber 5837 Kauffman Avenue.
•
•