RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL ON AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 10, CHAPTER 2 (ZONING
ORDINANCE) AND CHAPTER 5 (COASTAL LAND USE PLAN
IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE) OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATED TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES.
WHEREAS, prior City Council referrals and Strategic Plan meetings, the City Council approved a proposal to allow for electronic signs on City-owned properties; and WHEREAS, notice of the time and place of the public hearing where the Exemption Declaration and application would be considered was given pursuant to State law and local ordinance by publication in the Easy Reader; and
WHEREAS, after noticing the project pursuant to the City’s noticing requirements, no comments were received on the project from either adjacent businesses and residences; and WHEREAS, on November 21, 2024, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing, took public testimony, and considered the draft Zoning Ordinance amendments to allow electronic signs on City-owned properties.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY FIND AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS
1. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended (CEQA), and State and local guidelines adopted pursuant thereto, the zoning amendment is Categorically Exempt from further environmental review, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that refers to activities where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment (common-sense exemption), then the activity is not subject to CEQA.
2. The amendments to the Zoning ordinance are consistent with the General Plan. a. Land Use Element Goal 1E: Ensure that the types of land uses developed in the City complement and do not adversely affect the qualify of life and health of the City’s residents, businesses, and visitors.
b. Land Use Element Goal 1H: Continue to enhance existing commercial districts which contribute revenue to the City and are compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods.
c. Land Use Element Goal 1O: Ensure the compatibility among the various types and densities of land uses to be accommodated in the City.
d. Land Use Element Goal 1J: Provide for the continued use of the City’s coastalrelated recreational facilities as resources for the residents of Redondo Beach and surrounding communities; ensuring that these uses and activities are compatible RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
with adjacent residential neighborhoods and commercial districts and maintain a high level of quality and safety.
e. Land Use Element Goal 1K: Provide for public uses which support the needs and functions of the residents and businesses of the City.
3. These amendments do not require a vote of the people under Article XXVII of the City Charter.
SECTION 2. RECITALS. The above recitals are true and correct, and the recitals are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopt the amendments to the Redondo Beach Municipal Code pertaining to the display of electronic signs on City-owned properties.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 2 Section 10-2.1814, “Public zone requirements” and Section 10-2.1818, “Prohibited Signs”, to be amended as follows (NOTE:
Additions are noted as underlined and deletions are noted in strikeout):
Section 10-2.1814 Public zone and City-owned property requirements.
In all "P" public and institutional zones and City-owned properties within the Harbor/Pier area, any new sign or change to existing sign, other than a change of copy, that exceeds 30 square feet in area shall be subject to Planning Commission Design Review (Section 10-5.2502). Any new sign or change to existing sign, other than a change of copy, that is 30 square feet or less in area shall be subject to Administrative Design Review (Section 10-2.2500). Any electronic message display sign, regardless of sign area, shall be subject to Planning Commission Design Review.
(a) Electronic message displays. Electronic message displays may be permitted, subject to Planning Commission Design Review (Section 10-2.2502), and provided all of the following standards are met.
(1) The electronic message display shall be on a site having a live performance theater with a seating capacity of not less than 1,000 seats or on a site having a school or City-owned property within the Harbor/pier area; (2) The electronic message display for a live performance theater shall not be located adjacent to or directed towards any street other than a major arterial as identified in the master plan of streets in the Transportation and Circulation section of the General Plan;
(3) Electronic message displays shall be limited to the display of information relating to interests or activities of the theater or school on the site on which the sign is located, and shall not function as a "billboard" as defined in Section 10-2.402 of this chapter;
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
(4) The electronic message display shall be incorporated into a high-quality decorative structure compatible with the architectural design of the building(s) on the site;
(5) The maximum height of the sign structure containing the electronic message display shall be 30 feet above the adjacent sidewalk grade along the street frontage;
(6) The electronic message display component of the sign structure for a live performance theater shall not exceed 120 square feet in area per sign face. The electronic message display component of the sign structure for a school shall not exceed 60 square feet in area per sign face;
(7) No more than one electronic message display shall be permitted on a site. The electronic message display may be single-faced or double-faced; (8) The electronic message display shall be an electronic LED (Light Emitting Diode) screen;
(9) The pixel pitch of the LED electronic message display shall be 25.4 millimeters or less except that at a school site the pixel pitch of the LED electronic message display shall be 34 millimeters or less if the sign area per face is 40 square feet in area or less;
(10) The color of the text in the electronic message display shall have the appearance of white on a black background, except that the use of additional colors may be permitted subject to specific conditions approved pursuant to Planning Commission Design Review;
(11) The message shall not flash on and off. A message shall remain fixed for a minimum of eight seconds. Fading in or out, or scrolling of text shall be permitted as transitions;
(12) The electronic message display shall not be operated between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any electronic message display located adjacent to or directed towards any street other than a major arterial as identified in the Master Plan of Streets in the Transportation and Circulation section of the General Plan shall not be operated during the hours from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.;
(13) The electronic message display shall be maintained in good operating condition and external appearance at all times;
(14) The electronic message display shall not result in unacceptable light intensity and glare impacting surrounding property;
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
(15) The Planning Commission may impose additional, or more restrictive, requirements as necessary to limit impacts on surrounding property.
Section 10-2.1818 Prohibited Signs
(a) "A frame" signs except as permitted by the Community Development Director or assigned within the Artesia and Aviation Area Plan area; (b) Any other portable signs, except for permitted menu boards in connection with outdoor dining;
(c) Animated signs, except barber poles and time-temperature signs, and electric message display signs permitted pursuant to Section 10-2.1814; (d) Any sign which, by color, shape, location or other means endangers public safety by resembling or conflicting with any traffic control sign or device or which due to its dangerous construction, manner of display, or location is determined by the Community Development Director or the City Engineer to be hazardous; (e) Any sign displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter; (f) Animated signs, except barber poles and time-temperature signs, and electric message display signs permitted pursuant to Section 10-5.1814, unless installed by the City, on any City-owned property, pursuant to the standards included in Section 10-2.1814, unless installed by the City, on any City-owned property, pursuant to the standards included in Section 10-2.1814.
(g) Billboards;
(h) Graffiti. No sign shall contain graphic representations designed to imitate, resemble, duplicate or give the appearance of any symbols, letter styles, plakas or other identifying features of any street gang, or tagging origin; (i) Home business signs;
(j) Roof signs;
(k) Signs erected without the permission of the owner, or his agent, of the property on which or over which such sign is located;
(l) Temporary signs, including, but not limited to, balloon signs, banners, flags, and pennants, except as provided in Section 10-2.1820;
(m) Vehicle signs. No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on public property, or on private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which vehicle has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the purpose of providing advertisements of products located on the same or nearby property or RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
directing people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
This subsection is not intended to apply to standard advertising or identification practices where such signs or advertising devices are painted on or permanently attached to a business or commercial vehicle.
SECTION 3. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 5 Section 10-5.1814, “Public zone requirements” and Section 10-5.1818 “Prohibited signs” to be amended as follows (NOTE:
Additions are noted as underlined and deletions are noted in strikeout):
Section 10-5.1814 Public zone and City-owned property requirements.
In all "P" public and institutional zones and City-owned properties within the Harbor/Pier area, any new sign or change to existing sign, other than a change of copy, that exceeds 30 square feet in area shall be subject to Planning Commission Design Review (Section 10-5.2502). Any new sign or change to existing sign, other than a change of copy, that is 30 square feet or less in area shall be subject to Administrative Design Review (Section 10-5.2500).
(a) Electronic message displays. Electronic message displays may be permitted, subject to Planning Commission Design Review (Section 10-5.2502), and provided all of the following standards are met.
(1) The electronic message display shall be on a site having a live performance theater with a seating capacity of not less than 1,000 seats; (2) The electronic message display shall not be located adjacent to or directed towards any street other than a major arterial as identified in the Master Plan of Streets in the Transportation and Circulation section of the General Plan; (3) The electronic message display shall be incorporated into a high-quality decorative structure compatible with the architectural design of the building(s) on the site;
(4) The maximum height of the sign structure containing the electronic message display shall be 30 feet above the adjacent sidewalk grade along the street frontage;
(5) The electronic message display component of the sign structure shall not exceed 120 square feet in area per sign face;
(6) No more than one electronic message display shall be permitted on a site. The electronic message display may be single-faced or double-faced; (7) The electronic message display shall be an electronic LED (Light Emitting Diode) screen;
(8) The pixel pitch of the LED electronic message display shall be 25.4 mm or less; RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
(9) The color of the text in the electronic message display shall have the appearance of white on a black background, except that the use of additional colors may be permitted subject to specific conditions approved pursuant to Planning Commission Design Review;
(10) The message shall not flash on and off. A message shall remain fixed for a minimum of eight seconds. Fading in or out, or scrolling of text shall be permitted as transitions;
(11) The electronic message display shall not be operated between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
(12) The electronic message display shall be maintained in good operating condition and external appearance at all times;
(13) The electronic message display shall not result in unacceptable light intensity and glare impacting surrounding property;
(14) The Planning Commission may impose additional, or more restrictive, requirements as necessary to limit impacts on surrounding property. (15)
Section 10-5.1818 Prohibited Signs
(a) Signs advertising off-site non-coastal related uses or services shall be prohibited in public beaches and parks;
(b) Signs which restrict public access to State tidelands, public vertical or lateral access easement areas, or which purport to identify the boundary between State tidelands and private property shall not be permitted;
(c) Signs which obstruct or degrade public views to scenic areas from public viewing areas and scenic roads are prohibited;
(d) "A frame" signs;
(e) Any other portable signs, except for permitted menu boards in connection with outdoor dining;
(f) Animated signs, except barber poles and time-temperature signs, and electric message display signs permitted pursuant to Section 10-5.1814, unless installed by the City, on any City-owned property, pursuant to the standards included in Section 10-5.1814. (g) Any sign which, by color, shape, location or other means endangers public safety by resembling or conflicting with any traffic control sign or device or which due to its dangerous construction, manner of display, or location is determined by the Community Development Director or the City Engineer to be hazardous; RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
(h) Any sign displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter; (i) Audible signs, except in connection with drive-up windows; (j) Billboards;
(k) Graffiti. No sign shall contain graphic representations designed to imitate, resemble, duplicate or give the appearance of any symbols, letter styles, plakas or other identifying features of any street gang, or tagging origin; (l) Home business signs;
(m) Roof signs;
(n) Signs erected without the permission of the owner, or his agent, of the property on which or over which such sign is located;
(o) Temporary signs, including, but not limited to, balloon signs, banners, flags, and pennants, except as provided in Section 10-5.1820;
(p) Vehicle signs. No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on public property, or on private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which vehicle has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the purpose of providing advertisements of products located on the same or nearby property or directing people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
This subsection is not intended to apply to standard advertising or identification practices where such signs or advertising devices are painted on or permanently attached to a business or commercial vehicle.
SECTION 4. INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS. Any provisions of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code, or appendices thereto, or any other ordinances of the City inconsistent herewith, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. SEVERANCE. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the ordinance. The City Council shall declare that it would have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission forward a copy of this resolution to the City Council so the Council will be informed of the action of the Planning Commission.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11-PCR-13
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of November, 2024. ___________________________
Chair
Planning Commission
City of Redondo Beach
ATTEST:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
CITY OF REDONDO BEACH )
I, Sean Scully, Planning Manager of the City of Redondo Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2024-11-PCR-13 was duly passed, approved and adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Redondo Beach, California, at a regular meeting of said Planning Commission held on the 21st day of November 2024 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
________________________
Sean Scully
Planning Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________
City Attorney’s Office