75B - PH - ZONING SIGN PROGRAMS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2013 -02 February 24, 2014 Page 2 Proiect Backaround A planned sign program is a tool through which local jurisdictions may regulate the appearance of signage in multi- tenant commercial centers, attractions, or other destination centers. The goal of such regulation is often to encourage consistent and harmonious designs, colors, size, and locations of signage in these centers. In Santa Ana, applications for planned sign programs are reviewed and approved in a ministerial manner. The Santa Ana Municipal Code requires that proposed signage contained in planned sign programs be consistent with the minimum standards for on- premise signage found in the Sign Code. These standards include those outlined in Sections 41 -860 (General Regulations), 41 -861 (Additional Regulations), and 41 -862 through 879 (freestanding, wail, major building identification, and other signs). The provisions and standards in these sections regulate appearance, quantity, size and dimensions, location, and height of signage. The City from time to time receives applications for sign programs for major centers such as shopping venues or attractions that propose unique signage that does not conform to the standards of the SAMC. Currently, applications for these sign proposals are processed through variances or are found within zoning districts known as Specific Developments (SD). The proposed amendments would create an alternative, more streamlined means for applicants to propose signage that is unique to regional commercial centers or attractions. Proiect Analysis The purpose of this zoning ordinance amendment is to create a new tool that regional commercial centers and attractions may use to address the unique signage situations specific to these uses and locations. This amendment will also ensure that the implementation of such sign programs will not have detrimental effects on permitted adjacent sensitive uses, such as residential neighborhoods, due to potential nuisances caused by scale, quantity, light, visual distractions, and off -site advertising. Staff research and analysis of cities statewide with major commercial centers and attractions show that many jurisdictions with unique, regional commercial centers or attractions use the planned sign program as a tool to allow flexibility with signage proposals. Cities selected by staff for review contain regional malls and /or attractions with mixtures of uses similar to what is found at Westfield MainPlace or the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. In such cases, many of the surveyed cities require that a site meet minimum criteria to be eligible to apply for a planned sign program. These cities review applications for such sign programs through the Zoning Administrator, special Design Review Committee, or the Planning Commission. Moreover, these cities' municipal codes grant authority to the applicable review body to exercise discretion when reviewing applications for sign programs in order to ensure appropriateness with regards to size, quantity, scale, and other factors unique to site context and the nature of business activities conducted. Table 1 lists the cities surveyed and outlines the nature of their planned sign programs. 75B -4