RESOLUTION NO. P-6-24
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND TITLE 15 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND TITLE 17 ZONING OF THE FOSTER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE, BY REPEALING CHAPTER 15.12 SIGN CONTROL AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW CHAPTER 17.59 SIGN CONTROL AND FINDING THE AMENDMENTS EXEMPT FROM
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINE SECTION 15061(B)(3) - RZ2024-0004
FOSTER CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the City of Foster City’s (“City”) sign regulations are currently codified in Chapter 15.12 of the City Municipal Code (“Sign Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council initially adopted the Sign Ordinance in 1989 and subsequently adopted several amendments to the Sign Ordinance including in the years 2005, 2006 and the most recent amendment in 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Sign Ordinance is intended to regulate signs located on property within the City over which the City has regulatory authority; and
WHEREAS, the Sign Ordinance also minimizes the possible adverse effects on signs placed on nearby public and private property, including streets and public rights-of- way; and
WHEREAS, caselaw supports the use of content-neutral regulations t o address aesthetic and safety concerns relating to signs, such as location, quantity, quality and durability of materials, size, illumination, and portability; among other things; and
WHEREAS, caselaw allows different levels of protection for noncommercial speech and commercial speech; and
WHEREAS, signs may significantly impact the aesthetic appeal and the visual environment of the City; and
WHEREAS, signs may significantly impact safety, traffic, and circulation issues by creating distractions to motorists or blocking motorists’ line of sight; and
WHEREAS, signs may significantly impact pedestrian access and safety by blocking sidewalks and other walkways; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to update the Sign Ordinance to ensure that signs continue to be regulated in an even- handed manner while also furthering the City’s aesthetic and public health, welfare, and safety concerns; and
Resolution No. P-6-24
RZ2024-0004
WHEREAS, the City desires to relocate Chapter 15.12 Sign Control from Title 15 Building and Construction to Title 17 Zoning, and create a new Chapter 17.59 Sign Control; and
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2024, the Planning Commission held a study session to update the public and the Planning Commission regarding proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty to have no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment; and
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2024, a Notice of Public Hearing was duly posted for consideration of the amendment to the Municipal Code Chapter 15. 12 and replacing it with a new Chapter 17.59, at the Planning Commission meeting on March 21, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Foster City has carefully reviewed and considered the staff report and all attachments thereto presented as part of the agenda for the public hearing regarding the proposed amendment to Title 15 Building and Construction of the Foster City Municipal Code as referenced above including any and all timely submitted correspondence, all information submitted at or prior to the public hearing, and all public comment and testimony presented at the public hearing (collectively, the “Record”); and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission, based on facts and analysis in the staff report, written and oral testimony, and exhibits presented, finds that:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated by reference into this action.
2. The proposed amendments are internally consistent with all other provisions of the General Plan and do not conflict with any of the previously adopted goals, policies, or programs of the General Plan.
3. The proposed amendments will not be detrimental to the public interest, convenience, and general welfare of the City.
4. The proposed amendments are exempt from CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3) and consistent with Public Resources Code Section 21080.17.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Foster City does hereby recommends that the City Council adopt an ordinance making various text amendments to Chapter 15.12 “Sign Control” within Title 15 “Building and Construction” of the Foster City Municipal Code are hereby amended by repealing the existing Chapter 15.12 in its entirety and replacing it creating Chapter 17.59 “Sign Control” in Section 17 “Zoning” , contained in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein and finding the amendments exempt from the CEQA.
PASSED AND ADOPTED as a Resolution by the Planning Commission of the City of Foster City at a Regular Meeting thereof held on March 21, 2024 by the following vote:
Resolution No. P-6-24
RZ2024-0004
AYES, COMMISSIONERS: Bronitsky, Venkat, Pedro and Chair Jagtiani
NOES, COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN, COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT, COMMISSIONERS: Haddad
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RAVI JAGTIANI, CHAIR
ATTEST:
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SOFIA MANGALAM, SECRETARY
Ravi Jagtiani (Mar 29, 2024 16:04 PDT)
Ravi Jagtiani