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Commissioner Oliver he would support permitting the existing Commissioner Oliver he would support permitting the existing lighting to stand as long as the illegal signs were removed from the light poles. Chairman Mondo requested a roll call vote with Commissioner Oliver'e motion and Commissioner Nalle's second of the motion. AYES: Mondo, Oliver, Nalle, Pedroza, and Segura NOES: Doughty ABSENT: Brown 2. VARIANCE NO. 95-4 filed by Mr. Robert Fiscus and Associates to increase the maximum permitted height of a freeway pole sign from 35 feet to 100 feet on a property 563 feet from the freeway off-ramp. (Larry Yenglin) (COntznued by Planning Commission July I0, 1995) RECOMMENDATION: Deny Variance No. 95-4 and adopt the findings as submitted by staff. Mr. Jeffry Rice, Senior Planner, gave an overview of the staff report and displayed elides of the area. He indicated the proposed sign is for a Chevron gas station and is 70 feet in height, more than twice the allowed height by code; the area is approximately 85 square feet; and the distance is 563 feet from the freeway exist centerline. Mr. Rice indicated the request comes before the Commission due to the freeway widening. The applicant feels the signage height should be increased because the improvements made to the freeway make it difficult to see the station from the freeway and so motorists can see the gas station sign. Mr. Rice indicated staff is recommending denial of Variance No. 95-4 and the surrounding businesses are opposed to the signage and feel if this sign is allowed their business sign height should also be increased. Commissioner Na11e asked if Caltrans would allow the applicant to put a sign on the freeway. Mr. Rice indicated that is only allowed on major freeways in rural areas. Mr. Robert Fiscus, applicant, displayed pictures of the location and indicated the proposed freeway sign is due to the visibility problems associated with the freeway height and expansion. He noted that the proposed sign is not an unsightly sign, and that he would like the ' motorists to know the service station exists. Mr. Edward McKie, representing French Court Neighborhood, thanked Chevron for the recent improvements to the site. However, he indicated the neighborhood strongly opposes the sign and supports staff's recommendation. Mr. James Marquez stated he appreciates the improvements to the site, especially the lights but he is opposed to the sign. Mr. Todd Walsh thanked Chevron for the recent improvements made to the gas station, however the sign is not in the beat interest of the neighborhood. The gas station is in a good location and currently attracts many customers. The proposed sign looks nice but ie too much. Mr. James Kendrick, complimented Chevron for the recent improvements. He stated that the City has been working to clean up Seventeenth Street and this sign would not be in the beat interest for the neighborhood. Mr. Steve Krieger indicated he currently is constructing a gas station and the new freeway wall makes the sites in the area lose their visibility from the freeway. There is no existing gas station from Redhill to Harbor Boulevard; these gas stations create tax dollars and revenue for the City. Mr. Kreiger stated, at his site, he has five times the amount of landscaping than the code requires and that sign will not be intrusive to the neighborhood. However, if this sign is not approved, he would like the Commission to consider amending the current sign standards for this area. Chairman Mondo closed the public hearing. Commissioner Oliver motioned to deny Variance No. 95-4 and stated it ie disingenuous for Mr. Krieger to state that the pole sign would not be intrusive to the neighborhood. Staff can deal with the problems of signage in the freeway area as deemed appropriate. Commissioner Pedroza expressed her appreciation to the improvements made by Chevron but indicated she was in agreement with the motion and stated the sign is too large for the area. AYES: Mondo, Oliver, Doughty, Nalle, Pedroza, and Segura NOES: None ABSENT: Brown PLANNING COMMISSION MINUfFS lup 7A, 1995 6