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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 2015-34_2401SPullmanLS 10.06.15 RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -34 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING VARIANCE NO. 2015 -07, AS CONDITIONED, TO ALLOW SIX WALL MOUNTED SIGNS EACH ON TWO ELEVATIONS AND TO ALLOW TWO OF THOSE SIGNS TO BE INSTALLED ABOVE 20 FEET IN HEIGHT AT THE DEL AMO MOTORSPORTS BUILDING LOCATED AT 2401 SOUTH PULLMAN STREET BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines and declares as follows: A. Applicant is requesting approval of Variance No. 2015 -07 to allow for the installation of six (6) wall mounted signs on two (2) building elevations (for a total of twelve (12) wall mounted signs) and to allow two (2) of those signs to be installed above 20 feet in height at the property located at 2401 South Pullman Street. B. Pursuant to Section 41- 863(a) and Section 41- 863(d) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), no more than one (1) wall sign shall be permitted for each primary elevation of a leasable tenant space, nor shall the sign be placed higher than the ground floor of the building or 20 feet, whichever is less. C. Variance No. 2015 -07 came before the Planning Commission on October 12, 2015, for a duly noticed public hearing. Variance No. 2015 -07 would allow six (6) wall mounted signs on two elevations, two of which would be installed above 20 feet in height, for a total of 12 wall mounted signs on the north and northwest elevations of the building located at 2401 South Pullman Street. D. The Planning Commission determines that for Variance No. 2015 -07 the following findings, which must be established pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Section 41 -638 in order to grant a variance from the provision of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, have been established: 1. That because of special circumstances applicable to the subject property, including size, shape, topography, location, or surroundings, the strict application of the zoning ordinance is found to deprive the Resolution No. 2015 -34 Page 1 of 5 subject property of privileges not otherwise at variance with the intent and purpose of the provision of this chapter. The project site has special circumstances related to its location, surroundings, and design. The site is located on a reverse - curve. The reverse -curve has resulted in an odd shaped lot and a building that has two frontages along the same street. The reverse -curve has also resulted in adjacent properties, with considerably smaller setbacks than the subject site, obstructing visibility of the site from potential patrons travelling along Pullman Street and along California State Route 55 (SR -55). Moreover, the proposed fagade, display tower and bridge design makes having the secondary signage advertising goods sold impossible to accommodate on the same signable area without resulting in sign clutter. Approval - of the variance would create opportunities on the project site to brand and advertise the goods and motorcycle makes provided by the tenant while also balancing site aesthetics and avoiding visual clutter. 2. That the granting of a variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of one or more substantial property rights. The granting of the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights. The placement of the primary signs above the maximum allowed 20 feet and the additional secondary signage to advertise the motorcycle makes sold at the tenant space would assist in identification and advertisement, reducing vacancy rates, increasing commercial activity, and allowing the property owner the ability to maximize the existing structure to its fullest potential. The placement and number of signs has been carefully analyzed and will reduce visual clutter while also increasing the visibility and advertisement efforts of the tenant. 3. That the granting of a variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to surrounding property. The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public or surrounding properties. The signs are intended to be visible from Pullman Street and from the heavily travelled SR -55. The signs will not incorporate any flashing or moving elements that may distract motorists or passersby. The site location and building placement minimizes any possible visual intrusion onto surrounding properties. Moreover, the site is located in an exclusively commercial and industrial Resolution No. 2015 -34 Page 2 of 5 area with no residential communities located in the immediate vicinity. 4. That the granting of a variance will not adversely affect the General Plan of the City. The project will not adversely affect the General Plan as the proposed signage is consistent with several goals of the General Plan. Approval of the variance supports Policies 2.7 and 2.8 of Goal 2 (to promote land uses which enhance the City's economic and fiscal viability) and Policies 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 of Goal 4 of the Land Use Element (to protect and enhance development sites that are unique community assets). In addition, approval of the variance is consistent with the intent and purpose of Goals 1 and 2 of the Urban Design Element (to improve the physical appearance of the City through creating a sense of place, positive community image, and quality environment, and to improve the physical appearance of the City through development that is proportional and aesthetically related to its district setting). Furthermore, approval of the variance supports Objective 2.3 of Goal 2 of the Scenic Corridor Element (to use scenic corridors to provide identity, form, and an orientation framework for the City). E. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the recommended action is exempt for further review per Section 15301. This Class 1 exemption allows the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. No expansion of square footage or interior reconfigurations of square footages are proposed as part of the project. In addition, the structure is already served by municipal services, such as roadways, utilities, and parking. Categorical Exemption Environmental Review No. 2015 -26 will be filed for this project. Section 2. The applicant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the City of Santa Ana, its officials, officers, agents, and employees, from any and all liability, claims, actions or proceedings that may be brought arising out of its approval of this project, and any approvals associated with the project, including, without limitation, any environmental review or approval, except to the extent caused by the negligence of the City of Santa Ana. Section 3. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana after conducting the public hearing hereby approves Variance No. 2015 -07 for 2401 South Pullman Street as conditioned in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein. This decision is Resolution No. 2015 -34 Page 3of5 based upon the evidence submitted at the abovesaid hearing, which includes, but is not limited to: the Staff reports and exhibits attached thereto; and, the public testimony, written and oral, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference. ADOPTED this 12th day of October, 2015. AYES: Commissioners: Alderete, Bacerra, Bauer, Gartner, Mill (5) NOES: Commissioners: ABSENT: Commissioners: ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney By: C Lisa Storck Assistant City Attorney None (0) Nalle, Verino (2) None (0) Chairperson CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, KAREN GERARDO, Planning Commission Secretary, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2015 -34 to be the original resolution adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana on October 12, 2015. Date: it/ Cz-1 t vAi4lt - Planning Commission Secretary City of Santa Ana Resolution No. 2015 -34 Page 4 of 5 Conditions of Approval for Variance No. 2015 -07 Variance No. 2015 -07 is approved subject to compliance, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with all applicable sections of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the California Administrative Code, the California Building Standards Code and all other applicable regulations. The applicant must comply in full with each and every condition listed below prior to exercising the rights conferred by this approval. The applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life of the variance. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in the revocation of the variance. A. Planning Division 1. The project shall remain in compliance with Development Project Review DP No. 2015 -13 and the staff report exhibits. 2. Any amendment to this variance must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or if the variance must be amended. 3. The proposed signs will be limited to the location and size as indicated on the approved plan per the attached exhibit. Resolution No. 2015 -34 Page 5 of 5