PC Resolution-09-04-28-03PC RESOLUTION NO. 09-04-28-3
CODE AMENDMENT (CA 07-005) SIGN CODE UPDATE
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CERTIFY THE NEGATIVE
DECLARATION AND ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING CODE AMENDMENT (CA)
07-005 TO AMEND THE TITLE 9 OF THE LAND USE CODE SECTION 9-3.543
REGULATING SIGNS
Whereas, the San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Section 9-3.543
regulates signs pertaining to process, procedure and development standards to include but
not be limited to location, size, area, height, materials, colors and illumination; and
Whereas, the sign code regulations set forth applicable standards to
encourage high quality aesthetically attractive signs that provide a positive image for the
City and do not negatively impact properties in the City; and
Whereas, the sign code sets for development standards that discourage
blight, clutter, and provide an even advertising medium for commercial and industrial
business establishments; and
Whereas, the City Council authorized amendment of the land use code
regulating signs and created a Sign Subcommittee to identify deficiencies in the current
code provisions as well as address appropriate signs regulations regarding number, area,
illumination, materials, colors, temporary signs, real estate signs, and legal constraints; and
Whereas, staff and the Sign Subcommittee conducted five (5) work sessions
and researched other municipal sign codes, created a draft sign ordinance and forwarded
to the Planning Commission; and
Whereas, the City of San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission conducted
four (4) work sessions to review, edit and fine tune the draft sign ordinance and directed
staff to schedule the code amendment for public hearing consideration; and
Whereas, the Environmental Administrator has evaluated the sign code
amendment Initial Study and has determined that the project would not have any
significant environmental impacts and prepared a Negative Declaration; and
Whereas, the Sign Subcommittee conducted six (6) meetings to review
existing sign provisions and recommends appropriate sign code amendments; and
Whereas, the Planning Commission conducted four (4) work sessions to
review the draft ordinance page by page and make applicable recommendations; and
Whereas, the San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission conducted duly
noticed public hearings on March 24, and April 28, 2009 and provided amendments,
comments and direction to staff.
PC Resolution 09-03-24-3 2 April 28 2008
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING
FINDINGS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
1) The proposed Land Use Code Amendment (CA) 07-005 is consistent with
the goals and policies of the General Plan; and
2) The proposed Land Use Code Amendment is necessary to implement the
General Plan and to provide for public safety, convenience, and/or general
welfare; and
3) The proposed Land Use Code Amendment conforms with the intent of the
Development Code and is consistent with other applicable related
provisions thereof; and
4) The proposed Land Use Code Amendment is reasonable and beneficial at
this time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano hereby recommends that the City Council
certify the Negative Declaration and adopt an ordinance approving Code Amendment (CA)
07-005 to amend the San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Section 9-3.543 regulating
signs subject to the following amendments in the track change draft ordinance:
1. Page 4, Subsection (b)(6)(D) Lighting Intensity: End of first sentence add the
wording "at any given time".
2. Page 9, Subsection (f)(2)(C)(6) Election Signs: Re -instate sentence that reads
"Temporary signs shall be placed no less than fifty (50) feet apart from identical or
substantially similar temporary signs, and in no case shall more than one temporary
sign per candidate or ballot issue be allowed per parcel." Page 19, Subsection (g),
Table 3-42, amend for consistency.
3. Page 10, Subsection (f)(2)(H) Real Estate Sale or Lease Signs: reduce "48" square
feet to "32" square feet for signs by right for lots adjacent to the 1-5 Freeway. Page
18, Subsection (g), Table 3-42, Sign Standards, amend for consistency and add
provision allowing 1 sign per 600 lineal feet of frontage."
4. Page 17, Subsection (g), Table 3-42, Permanent window Signs: Fifth column delete
sentence stating "Any advertisement inside a building visible from the public right-of-
way is a window sign." Page 24, Subsection (i)(5)(C), delete same language for
consistency. Page 34, Appendix A, leave existing definition of "sign, window". .
EFFECTIVE DATE & FINAL APPROVAL: The decision of the Planning
Commission is a recommendation to the City Council that shall become final thirty (30)
days after second reading and adoption of a City Council Ordinance.
PC Resolution 09-03-24-3 3 April 28 2008
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of April, 2009, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
6—L-
Sheldon Cohen, Chair
Grant Taylor, stant Community Development
Director