PC Resolution-20-07-28-01PC RESOLUTION NO. 20-07-28-01
SIGN PROGRAM (SP) 20-015
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING SIGN PERMIT (SP) 20-015 FOR FARMAKIS
FARMS PAINTED WALL SIGN AND BANNER PROGRAM LOCATED AT 29932
CAMINO CAPISTRANO (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 121-190-57)
Whereas, Tom Farmakis, owner of Farmakis Farms, (the "Applicant"), has
requested approval of to establish a painted wall sign and banner program for the existing
farm at 29932 Camino Capistrano, which is General Plan designated General Open Space
(GOS), and classified as General Open Space (GOS) on the Official Zoning Map (the
"Project"); and,
Whereas, The City of San Juan Capistrano, the owner of real property located
at 29932 Camino Capistrano (APN: 650-023-09), has authorized the submittal of the AC
request; and,
Whereas, the proposed project has been processed pursuant to Section 9-
2.301, Development Review of the Land Use Code; and,
The City's Environmental Administrator has determined that the project is
Categorically Exempt (Section 15311; Class 11 "Accessory Structures") from further review.
The project is consistent with Section 15311 because the project consists of construction of
an on-premise sign, a minor structure, and accessory to an existing commercial facility. A
Notice of Exemption (NOE) will be posted should the project receive final approval; and,
Whereas, the Planning Commission has considered the Environmental
Administrator's determination pursuant to Section 1507 4 of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA); and,
Whereas, the Planning Commission conducted a duly-noticed public meeting
on July 28, 2020, pursuant to Title 9, Land Use Code, Section 9-2.302 to consider public
testimony on the proposed project and has considered all relevant public comments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of
the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby find that the project is Categorically Exempt
(Section 15311; Class 11 "Accessory Structures") from further review under the California
Environmental Quality Act. The project is consistent with Section 15311 because the project
consists of construction of an on-premise sign, a minor structure, and accessory to an
existing commercial equestrian facility.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby make the following findings as
established by, Section 9-2.543(k), Sign Permit of Title 9, Land Use Code of the City of San
Juan Capistrano:
PC Resolution 20-07-28-01 2 July 28. 2020
1. The proposed wall sign and banner comply with all the applicable requirements of the
sign code. Specifically, the design of the wall sign is consistent with the architecture of
the building on the site because the sign would be painted directly onto the wood barn.
Additionally, the banner sign is proposed to be located along the fence line of the
property which is consistent with the allowance for banner programs. Furthermore, the
sizes of the wall sign and banner comply with the maximum size allowance for a wall
sign in the Open Space Recreational zone, and banner size regulations in the Public &
Institutional zone, which are the most restrictive size standards for wall signs and
banners. Lastly, the non-illuminated wall sign and banner comply with the illumination
standards of the code.
2. The proposed 24 square foot wall sign and 24 square foot banner will be in harmony
with the site, the architectural design of the building, and with the surrounding properties
because the signs are proposed to use high quality white paint, wood and canvas
materials with green and earth tone colors to match the colors of the open space
around the site.
3. The wall sign is proposed to be located on the barn structure and the banner along the
western property line outside of any visibility triangle necessary for safe vehicular travel.
Neither the sign nor banner are proposed to be illuminated, ensuring that lighting would
not create a hazard or nuisance to adjacent properties. Finally, the banner would be
securely affixed to posts located adjacent to the freeway edge, so that it would not
create a hazard to adjacent properties or tenants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the
City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby make the following findings as established by,
Section 9-2.343, Sign Program of Title 9, Land Use Code of the City of San Juan
Capistrano:
1. The proposed Farmakis Farms wall mounted sign and banner program meets all design
criteria within Municipal Section 9-3.543, because the signs consists of white paint on
the barn's wood material, and the banner consists of high quality canvas with green and
earth tone colors to match the colors of the open space around the site and is therefore
consistent with the General Plan. The proposed locations of the wall sign and banner
are oriented to achieve a balanced composition and harmony to attain the greatest
visibility possible, without detracting from the open space farm elements on the site.
Additionally, the sign meets the Community Design Element Policy 1.2 Encourage high
quality and human scale design in development to maintain the character of the City,
because the sign is designs with high quality materials, designed for vehicular traffic
and circulation orientation, and maintains the similar design of the wall mounted
signage and banner programs found in the City.
2. Staff has determined that no Comprehensive Development Plan exists for the site.
While the requested wall sign would not be allowed in the General Open Space zone,
the sign meets the standards of the Open Space Recreational zone, which are the
City's most restrictive standards. While the request for a banner program would not be
allowed in the General Open Space zone, the sign meets the standards of the Pubic &
Institutional zone, which contains the most restrictive standards for banner programs.
PC Resolution 20-07-28-01 3 July 28. 2020
Granting the exception for the proposed signs enables the finding to be made that the
proposed wall sign and banner program conforms to the minimum numerical size,
height, and other requirements of Section 9-3.543.
3. Staff has determined that the sign is appropriate within the context of the project and
compatible with the design and character of the surrounding area due to the massing of
the signage being compatible with the overall massing of the barn structure, the signage
proposed to be located adjacent to the 5 freeway and using colors which blend with the
open space uses on the site and established on the adjacent properties.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano hereby recommends approval of a Notice
of Exemption and the project subject to those conditions of approval established by Exhibit
A, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
EFFECTIVE DATE & FINAL APPROVAL: This project approval shall
become effective following expiration of the fifteen (15) day appeal period without filing of
an appeal application. The appeal period shall expire at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 12,
2020. This project approval shall be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of approval
of this resolution, and shall expire on August 12, 2022, unless a time extension request has
been submitted or a building permit has been issued for the project prior to that date.
PROTEST OF FEES, DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS OR OTHER
EXACTIONS: Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020, the applicant may protest the
imposition of fees, dedications, reservations or other exactions imposed on this
development project by taking the necessary steps and following the procedures
established by Sections 66020 through 66022 of the California Government Code.
LOCATION AND CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS: The documents and
materials associated with this Resolution that constitute the record of proceedings on which
these findings are based are located at San Juan Capistrano City Hall, 32400 Paseo
Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675. The Assistant Development Services
Director is the custodian of the record of proceedings.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 281h day of July, 2020.
~~q_
Se~P, Assistant Director
Secretary