TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Christopher Burton
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 17, 2022
Approved Date
3/23/2022
SUBJECT: FILE NO. PP22-001: AMENDING TO TITLE 23 OF THE SAN JOSE
MUNICIPAL CODE (THE SIGN CODE) TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM
NUMBER OF SIGNS ALLOWED TO BE ATTACHED TO AN OUTDOOR
STADIUM FROM A TOTAL OF FOUR SIGNS TO SIX SIGNS.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance amending Sign Code Chapter 23.04 - Sign Regulations, Part 1 (CO, CP, CN, CG, PQP, CIC, TEC, IP, LI, and HI Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, neighborhood business districts, Capitol Expressway Auto Mall signage area, Stevens Creek Boulevard signage area, Oakridge/Blossom Hill Urban Village signage area, and North San José signage area) of Title 23 of the San Jose Municipal Code to modify Section 23.04.032 - Large outdoor stadium spaces to increase the maximum number of signs allowed to be attached to an outdoor stadium from a total of four signs to six signs.
OUTCOME
Approval of the proposed ordinance will amend the Sign Code to modify signage allowances for outdoor stadium signs within San José.
BACKGROUND
The City Council routinely approves Sign Code amendments to accommodate current changing trends and necessary allowances for different types and sizes of signs. These updates specifically provide enhanced on-site signage opportunities for developments and public venues in San José.
ANALYSIS
The Title 23 of the San José Municipal Code (Sign Code or Sign Variance) establishes specific regulations and criteria for the quantity, size, and location of signs, and allows a variety of sign COUNCIL AGENDA: 4/5/22
FILE: 22-448
ITEM: 10.1(a)
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2022
Subject: File No. PP22-001
types to be used for any development. The proposed changes to Section 23.04.032 - Large outdoor stadium spaces would allow additional signage opportunities for this specific type of entertainment venue. Staff continues to explore new signage allowances to attract and retain businesses within the city.
The large outdoor stadium spaces within San José include Excite Park and Paypal Park (previously known as Avaya Stadium and Earthquakes Stadium). The Sign Code currently allows a maximum of four attached signs per stadium with no more than two signs per occupancy frontage. Staff proposes to increase the maximum number of attached signs from a total of four signs to six signs. No additional modifications to the sign type, the cumulative size of signs per occupancy frontage, or individual sign size are proposed in this update.
This modification intends to offer additional flexibility in sign location while retaining the current limitation of no more than two signs per frontage. The Sign Code restricts the maximum individual sign area to 540 square feet, and the aggregate area per occupancy frontage for both attached signs is limited to a maximum of 750 square feet. The proposed increase from a total of four to six attached signs will be required to adhere to these existing allowances and will not significantly alter the overall signage area for a large outdoor stadium.
CONCLUSION
This item incorporates minor changes to the Sign Code to allow six signs in place of four attached signs for large outdoor stadiums.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW UP
If the proposed San José Municipal Code amendments are approved by the City Council, the new ordinance will be effective 30 days after the second reading of the ordinance.
CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSE
The recommendation in this memorandum has no effect on Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Staff regularly corresponds with sign consultants and stakeholders interested in proposed amendments to determine how the Sign Code may better address their priorities. Staff followed Council Policy 6-30: Public Outreach Policy, in that notices for the public hearings were posted on the City’s website and published in the San Jose Post-Record and emailed to a list of
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2022
Subject: File No. PP22-001
interested groups and individuals. This memorandum and attachments were posted on the City’s website. Staff has been available to respond to questions from the public. In addition, staff posted a webpage on the Planning Division website that details this change. Staff will further incorporate comments following a neighborhood meeting scheduled on March 21, 2022.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Determination of Consistency to the Envision San José 2040 General Plan EIR (Resolution No. 76041), Envision San José General Plan Supplemental EIR (Resolution No. 77617), and Addenda thereto.
/s/
Christopher Burton, Director
Planning, Building and Code Enforcement
For questions please contact Michael Brilliot, Deputy Director, Planning Division at [email protected].
Attachments: Determination of Consistency
CITY OF en,
SAN JOSE Department of Planning, Building and Code
CAPITAL OF SILICON VALLEY CHRISTOPHER BURTON, DIRECTOR
DETERMINATION OF CONSISTENCY WITHTHE
ENVISION SAN JOSE 2040 GENERAL PLAN FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT AND SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH# 2009072096)
Pursuant to Section 15168(c)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, the City of San José has determined that the project described below is pursuant to or in furtherance of the Envision San José 2040 General Plan Final EIR (General Plan FEIR), Supplemental EIR to Envision San José General Plan EIR, and Addenda thereto. The City of San José has determined that this activity is within the scope of the earlier approved programs and the Final EIRs adequately describe the activity for purposes of CEQA.
File No. PP22-001 Sign Code Update of the San José Municipal Code.
Project Description: An ordinance of the City of San José amending Title 23 (Sign Ordinance or Sign Code) of the San José Municipal Code to modify signage provisions for outdoor stadium spaces to increase the maximum sign allowance froma total of four signs to six signs.
Specifically, the proposed changes amend Chapter 23.04 - Sign Regulations, Part 1 (CO, CP, CN, CG, PQP, CIC, TEC, IP, LI, and HI Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, neighborhood business districts, Capitol Expressway Auto Mall signage area, Stevens Creek Boulevard signage area, Oakridge/Blossom Hill Urban Village signage area, and North San José signage area) to incorporate minor changes to 23.04.032 - Large outdoor stadium spaces,’ to modify signage provisions.
Location: Citywide Council District Citywide County Assessor's Parcel Number - Various The environmental impacts of this project were addressed by the Final EIRs as described above.
The environmental impacts of this project were addressed by a Final Program EIR entitled, "Envision San José 2040 General Plan," adopted by City Council Resolution No. 76041 on November 1, 2011 supplemented by the Supplemental EIR entitled, “Envision San José 2040 General Plan Supplemental EIR,” adopted by City Council Resolution No. 77617 on December 15, 2015, and addenda thereto. The Program EIR and Supplemental Program EIR were prepared for the comprehensive update and revision of all elements of the City of San José General Plan, including an extension of the planning timeframe to the year 2035. The following impacts were reviewed and found to be adequately considered by the EIRs:
J Transportation [XJ Land Use XI Noise and Vibration
XJ Air Quality XJ Biological Resources [XI Geology and Soils XI Hydrology & Water Quality XJ Hazardous Materials and Hazards XI Public Facilities & Services XJ Cultural Resources XI Aesthetics J Energy
XJ Population and Housing XI Greenhouse Gas Emissions IX] Public Facilities & Services XJ Cumulative Impacts J Growth Inducing Impacts XJ Agriculture J Mineral Resources XJ Hazardous Materials and Hazards XJ Public Facilities & Services
200 E. Santa Clara Street, 3"1FL SanJosé, CA 95113 tel (408) 535-3555 www.sanjoseca.gov/pbce PP22-001 Sign Code Update April 2022
BACKGROUND
The Envision San José 2040 General Plan encourages routine review of the Zoning Ordinance and other supporting Ordinances in the Municipal Code to ensure that the document reflects the goals, policies, and implementation of the General Plan.
PROPOSED PROJECT
The City Council routinely approves Sign Code amendments to accommodate changing trends in the sign industry, such as allowing additional and larger signage to promote economic development throughout the City by allowing additional on-site signage opportunities developments within San José. The proposed project amends Chapter 23.04 - Sign Regulations to make minor signage allowance changes to 23.04.032 - Large outdoor stadium spaces,’ increase the maximum number of allowed signs from a total of four signs to six signs. No additional modifications to the sign type, cumulative size of signs per occupancy frontage, or individual sign size are proposed in this update.
ANALYSIS
The project will consist of amending Title 23 of the San José Municipal Code to reflect the goals and policies of the General Plan and promote enhanced signage for business. The proposed changes to the Municipal Code would further the General Plan policies and goals and provide updated codes to which future redevelopment shall adhere.
No specific development proposal is part of this amendment to Title 23. Future proposals will be subject to further project specific review by the applicable department. For the reasons discussed above, the project is within the scope of the General Plan FEIR, General Plan Supplemental EIR, and addenda thereto pursuant to CEQA, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15168(c)(2), and adoption of the Guidelines does not result in new significant impacts beyond those identified in the General Plan Final and Supplemental EIRs. Any further actions, such as actions to approve individual development projects based on the amended Sign Code will require additional environmental review at the time such actions are proposed.
Christopher Burton, Director
Planning, Building and Code Enforcement
SON
WIR gf a
03/15/22 ZC _y eo 5 = Date ‘Deputy "Sica
Project Manager
Aparna Ankola
Determination of Consistency for PP22-001
Sign Code Update of the San Jose Municipal Code Page 2 of 2