Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: August 28, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: David Sanchez, Community Development Director Subject: Ordinance Amending Camarillo Municipal Code Section 17.04.100 - Sign Regulations for Public Facilities in Residential Zones
BACKGROUND
The Camarillo Municipal Code (CMC) Chapter 17.04 - Sign Regulations (Private Property), establishes regulations and limitations for signage across residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Particularly stringent are the sign code provisions for public facilities within the residential section governing the quantity and placement of signs.
Currently, the code permits certain temporary signs without requiring permits across all zones, including campaign, real estate, and window signs. Other signs necessitate ministerial Planning approval, with an exception for signs related to public facilities in residential areas, which requires approval from the Planning Commission.
Public facilities within residential zones are restricted to a single sign. Requests from entities such as churches, the Boys and Girls Club, and kidSTREAM for additional signage beyond the current limits have not been permitted due to the sign code limitation of one sign.
To address these constraints, the sign code will have to be amended. This proposed amendment aims to authorize additional signage for public facilities in residential zones.
Additionally, it proposes granting the Director of Community Development the discretion to review and approve such sign applications.
DISCUSSION
Public facilities are predominantly situated within residential zones, encompassing essential services such as the Camarillo Library, the Boys and Girls Club, kidSTREAM, parks, and churches, all crucial in serving residents.
Ordinance Amending CMC Chapter 17.04 - Sign Regulations August 28, 2024
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Currently, under CMC Section 17.04.100, public facilities in residential zones are allowed one permanent sign. This provision permits either one lighted or unlighted double-faced monument or single-faced wall identification sign, not to exceed forty square feet in area.
The size and location are approved by the Planning Commission. Monument signs are limited to a maximum height of eight feet and freestanding signs to twelve feet.
Additional signage for these facilities is proposed to enhance visibility and aid residents in locating them. Revisions to the sign code are suggested to accommodate this without adversely affecting surrounding residential areas. Notably, local public schools, overseen by the Division of the State Architect, already display signs comparable to or exceeding the recommended changes.
Staff recommends the following amendments to CMC Section 17.04.100.C concerning signage for public facilities in residential zones (see Attachment 1):
•Director of Community Development Determination: Transfer the authority to determine the location of monument or freestanding signs from the Planning Commission to the Director of Community Development. This change aligns with the ministerial permit process currently applied to other sign permits, ensuring consistency.
•Allowance for Changeable Copy: Permit monument or freestanding signs to incorporate changeable copy, including electronic displays up to 32 square feet.
The sign code will stipulate electronic displays must be non-animated, non- flashing, and remain static for a minimum of four hours. Brightness must be automatically regulated by ambient light sensors. This update modernizes the sign code to reflect practices already in place at local public schools. In addition, similar signage allowances are already in effect at Community Center Park and within commercial zones such as the electronic boards at Las Posas Plaza. •Additional Signage: Currently, public facilities are restricted to a single monument, freestanding, or wall sign. The sign code amendment will allow for a freestanding or monument sign and one wall sign per street or parking lot frontage, up to two square feet per linear foot of building frontage. Properties with two frontages facing public right-of-way may be permitted two monument signs subject to the discretion of and approval by the Director.
General Plan Goals
Staff reviewed the City’s General Plan Element goals and has provided analysis as to how the proposed amendment is consistent with the goals for each General Plan Element as follows:
1. Land Use Element
The Land Use Element of the General plan states that the objectives for residential land uses are to continually improve areas as places to live by ensuring they are healthful, safe, pleasant, and attractive where all citizens are served by a full range of appropriate community facilities. The proposed ordinance ensures that our residential areas stay attractive and at the same time highlight the range of Ordinance Amending CMC Chapter 17.04 - Sign Regulations August 28, 2024
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community facilities that are available to the residents of Camarillo. Removing the constraints to create a streamlined process for sign approval will allow these public facilities to ensure that the entire City is aware of the services in a less costly and more timely manner.
2. Community Design Element
The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is consistent in keeping with the design element goals of promoting a hometown community with a strong sense of identity. Allowing additional signage at public facilities that serve our community promotes those services to the residents and visitors of Camarillo. Creative signage at these facilities contributes to the Cities identity as a unique and supportive environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
The City reviewed the environmental impacts of the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq. “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”). The sign code amendment is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed changes may have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Determine that in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the proposed sign ordinance amendment is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed changes may have a significant effect on the environment;
2. Waive further reading and introduce an Ordinance amending Chapter 17.04 of the Camarillo Municipal Code pertaining to Sign Regulations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance
2. Proposed revisions to CMC Section 17.04.100
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None