DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2023
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: LISA BRINTON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
THROUGH: COURTNEY GROSSMAN, PLANNING MANAGER
BY: THOMAS WILES, SENIOR PLANNER
TITLE: ZONING CODE AMENDMENT 2022-004; AMEND ZONING CODE SECTION 37-50.620 (ON-SITE SIGN REGULATIONS) OF CHAPTER 37 OF THE SALINAS MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING CODE) TO ALLOW CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE INFORMATION, MARQUEE, CHANGEABLE COPY, AND OTHER SIGNS FOR PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOL USES RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion finding Zoning Code Amendment 2022-004 categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15305 and adopting an Ordinance amending Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code) to allow consideration of public service information, marquee, changeable copy, and other signs for public/private school uses.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Chapter 37, Article VI, Division 14 provides a process whereby zoning code amendments are brought before the City Council for a final decision. The proposed Zoning Code Amendment (Amendment or ZCA) would allow consideration of public service information, marquee, changeable copy, and other signs at public/private school uses.
BACKGROUND:
Zoning Code Amendment 2022-004 (ZCA 2022-004) proposes to amend Zoning Code Section 37-50.620 (On-Site Sign Regulations) to allow public service information, marquee, changeable copy, and other signs at public/private schools as defined by Zoning Code Section 37-50.430 as follows:
“School, Public/Private. A public and semipublic land use such as a private or public school (grades kindergarten through high school, or their equivalent), college or university qualified by the State Board of Education to give general academic instruction. Excludes trade and driving schools.” Palma School Foundation, a private school, is requesting a ZCA to allow marquee signs at private schools. There are currently at least six (6) private schools within the City of Salinas:
Anthem Christian School – 345 East Alvin Drive
Madonna Del Sasso School - 20 Santa Teresa Way
Melody Park Christian School – 1130 San Vincente Avenue Notre Dame High School – 455 Palma Drive
Palma School – 919 Iverson Street
Sacred Heart School – 123 West Market Street
Currently, the Zoning Code does not allow for public service information, marquee, changeable copy, and other signs at public/private school uses. However, various marquee signs have been constructed at several public schools throughout the City of Salinas pursuant to State of California regulations. Per Government Code Section 53094, a school district by a vote of two-thirds of its members may render a City of County Zoning Ordinance inapplicable to a proposed use of property by the district. The governing board of the school district may not take this action when the proposed use of the property by the school district is for non-classroom facilities, including but not limited to, warehouses, administrative buildings, and automotive storage and repair buildings. The Amendment would allow marquee and reader board signs for both public and private schools. These types of signs would only be allowed for public/private school uses as defined above but would not be allowed for other types of schools including, but not limited to, trade and driving schools and preschools.
A preliminary plan by Palma is attached to this report (see Preliminary Palma HS Proposed Marquee Sign). Staff notes that the plan requires revisions for compliance with the required visibility triangles at the driveway with the public street, and minimum clearance of 10 feet measured from the curb. Prior to issuance of a sign permit by the Permit Center, a Master Sign Plan must be obtained from Community Development per Zoning Code Section 37-50.570.
On October 4, 2023, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council find Zoning Code Amendment 2022-004 exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and recommended the Council approve the Amendment (see attached Planning Commission Resolution 2023-10). A public hearing notice for the City Council meeting on October 24, 2023, regarding the Amendment was published in the Monterey Herald on October 10, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
Analysis:
Currently, Zoning Code Section 37-50.620(e) allows theaters, cinemas, and religious assembly uses may install and/or construct marquee, changeable copy, or other signs as follows:
(e) Theater, Cinema, and Religious Assembly Signs. Signs deviating from the standards of this division may be allowed for theaters, cinemas, or religious assembly uses subject to the approval of a master sign plan. The master sign plan may allow marquee signs (for theaters and cinemas only), changeable copy signs, and other signs for cinema, theater, or religious assembly uses not otherwise authorized by this division, if the city planner or other applicable approval authority determines that such modifications:
(1) Would be consistent with the style and character of existing signs on the site; (2) Would be compatible with the character of signs on adjacent properties; (3) Would not detract from the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties; and (4) Would not have an adverse impact on the safe and efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
The Amendment includes changes to subsection 37-50.620(d)(4) concerning Illuminated and Moving Signs in reference to movement, apparent movement, or intensity of illumination of a sign similar to those allowed in Zoning Code Section 37-50.620(e).
The Amendment is shown below (changes in strikethrough/underline format):
“(d) Illuminated and Moving Signs.
(1) Signs in an A, R, NU (NE, NG-1, and NG-2), CO, CO/R, P, OS, or PS district shall, if lighted, be indirectly and continuously illuminated. (2) Signs shall not have exposed fluorescent tubes or incandescent bulbs, unless such signs are approved as part of a master sign plan or a site plan review for a cinema or theater. (3) Signs visible from and within one hundred feet of an R or NU (NE, NG-1, and NG-2) district shall not be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless approved as part of a master sign plan. In order to approve the master sign plan, the city planner shall determine that the proposed sign:
(A) Identifies a business or use that is open for business during those hours; and (B) Has been oriented, sited, or otherwise designed to minimize glare or lighting impacts on the adjacent R or NU zoning district. (4) No movement or apparent movement of or in a sign or change in intensity of illumination of a sign shall be permitted (including no changeable copy) except for public service information signs, marquee signs, and changeable copy signs for theaters, cinemas, religious assembly uses, public/private school uses, and service station price signs as provided for in this division. (e) Theater, Cinema, Public/Private Schools, and Religious Assembly Signs. Signs deviating from the standards of this division may be allowed for theaters, cinemas, public/private school uses, or religious assembly uses subject to the approval of a master sign plan. The master sign plan may allow marquee signs (for theaters, and cinemas, and public/private schools only), changeable copy signs, and other signs for cinema, theater, public/private schools, or religious assembly uses not otherwise authorized by this division, if the city planner or other applicable approval authority determines that such modifications:
(1) Would be consistent with the style and character of existing signs on the site; (2) Would be compatible with the character of signs on adjacent properties; (3) Would not detract from the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties; and (4) Would not have an adverse impact on the safe and efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.” Findings in support of the proposed Amendment are incorporated in the attached City Council Ordinance.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The environmental impacts of the project have been analyzed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is categorically exempt (Class 5) from further environmental analysis per CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the Council’s Strategic Goal of Youth and Seniors. The amendment supports healthy development and social connections through recreational facilities, programs, and activities for the youth of Salinas.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
This ZCA to the sign regulations has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL AND SUTABILITY IMPACT:
No significant impacts to the City’s General Fund are anticipated with the Amendment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft City Council Ordinance
Planning Commission Resolution 2023-10
October 4, 2023 Planning Commission Staff Report without attachments Proposed Palma High School Marquee Sign
Page | 2
Page | 2
CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT