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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081500 OTLRB MinutesOTLRB Iminutes/081500 CALL TO ORDER MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE OLD TOWN TEMECULA LOCAL REVIEW BOARD AUGUST 15, 2000 The Old Town Temecula Local Review Board convened in a regular meeting at 9:08 A.M., on Monday, August 15, 2000, in the Main Conference Room of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Aisc Present: PUBLIC DISCUSSION No comments. BOARD BUSINESS 1. Approval of Minutes Board Members Blair, Montgomery, and Chairman Harker. Board Members Allen, and Ross, and Alternate Board Member Perkins. Assistant Planner Anders, and Minute Clerk Hansen a. Minutes of July 10, 2000 Board Member Montgomery relayed that the roll call portion of the minutes should be corrected to reflect his presence at the meeting. Board Member Blair indicated that on page 2 of the minutes, under section b., in the second paragraph, the minutes should reflect that the letter was solely signed by Chairman Harker. MOTION: Board Member Montgomery moved to approve the minutes, as revised. The motion was seconded by Board Member Blair and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Board Members Allen and Ross who were absent. 2. Old Business a. Sign Enforcement Program Update Assistant Planner Anders provided an overview of the merchants' response to the sign enforcement program, specifying that approximately one-third of the merchants had responded. OTLRB Imlnutes/081500 b. Off-Site Directional Signs (Side Streets) Assistant Planner Anders relayed clarification regarding the issue of directional signage, relaying staff's pleasure due to being granted (per the City Attorney's advice) the ability to pursue generic off-site directional signage in Old Town, clarifying that at this time there was not a plan to amend the Specific Plan with respect to monument signage regulations, relaying that at a future point in time that the Specific Plan would be amended as a comprehensive revision; provided additional information regarding the process of obtaining generic off-site signage; and recommended that the Board take a walking tour in order to gain clarity for discussions regarding the placement and design of the off-site directional signage. For Board Member Blair, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the directional signage would most likely not be inclusive of the type of business (i.e., ice cream shop, candy store), noting that the terminology would be broader (i.e., retail, restaurants), clarifying that the City Attorney had provided clear direction that the signage should be general; relayed that the City Attorney had referenced the Municipal Code which addressed off-site signage, clarifying the City's desire to not have billboard signs in the City of Temecula; and noted that there was a section of the Code allowing the use of directional signs for new housing tracts. In concurrence with Board Member Blair, Board Member Montgomery recommended the usage of more specific language on the directional signage (i.e., brewpub), while not naming the specific business name. Additional discussion ensued regarding the building directories in Old Town. Assistant Planner Anders relayed that while the City Attorney had advised that the individual buildings not be named, that a separate entity could provide flyers denoting the specific businesses, which could be placed proximate to the directories; for Board Member Montgomery, relayed that the City Attorney would most likely not support numbering the buildings on the directory, and then having the flyer refer to the numbered buildings; and clarified that it was her opinion that the directories did not get a lot of public attention. Additional discussion ensued regarding the directional off-site signage. Assistant Planner Anders relayed the legal issues associated with more specific language on the signs, providing other restrictions related to specific language. For Chairman Harker, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the September 11, 2000 Board meeting could be inclusive of a walking tour in Old Town in order to identify appropriate locations for the directional signage. 3. New Business a. Election of Officers (Chairman and Vice Chairman) Chairman Harker recommended that this item be continued until there was a full Board present. b. Grace Garden (Signs) 28690 Old Town Front Street Assistant Planner Anders provided an overview of the sign plan, specifying the location of the proposed signs; and noted that the colors were consistent with the Old Town color palette. OTLREI Iminutes1081500 MOTION: Board Member Montgomery moved to approve the proposed sign plan. Board Member Blair seconded the motion and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Board Members Alien and Ross who were absent. c. Rooster Creek Crossing (Signs) 28690 Old Town Front Street Specifying the size of the four proposed signs (inclusive of three building signs, and one monument sign), Assistant Planner Anders presented the proposal; and for Board Member Blair, noted the location of the monument sign. Board discussion ensued regarding merchants needing directional signage in order to make the public aware that the businesses existed (i.e., the shops located in the Jail courtyard). MOTION: Board Member Blair moved to approve the proposed sign plan. Board Member Montgomery seconded the motion and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Board Members Allen and Ross who were absent. d. Psychic Reader (Signs) 41964 Main Street Via photographs, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the existing signs were not in compliance with the Specific Plan regulations, noting that the applicant's desire to keep the current signage, or to utilize the existing colors; advised that the colors were not consistent with the Old Town color palette; invited the Board to provide input; and relayed that since the City was funding the new signage, she would be reluctant to approve a new sign that was nonconforming. Additional Board discussion ensued regarding the existing signage. Board Member Montgomery relayed that he was not opposed to the design of the sign with the sunset depiction, relaying that the colors should be muted. Board Member Blair concurred that the signs were not in compliance with the standards. For Chairman Harker, Assistant Planner Anders confirmed that besides having nonconforming signs, the site, additionally, had too many signs. In response to Board Member Montgomery's comments, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that staff would investigate the tattoo signage at Butterfield Square. Assistant Planner Anders relayed the importance of parameters regulating signage, noting that the Board had made allowances for signs that exhibited exemplary quality, providing a positive visual appearance. Board Members Montgomery and Harker commented on the desire of the Board to provide additional flexibility with respect to signage, more so than with building colors. It was the consensus of the Board that the existing signage was not consistent with the color palette. Board Member' Montgomery relayed that the size of the signage would have to be reduced. Additional discussion ensued regarding alternate signs in Old Town, Assistant Planner Anders noting that the McDonalds' site had utilized a muted red color for its logo. OTLRB Iminutes/081500 For Board Member Montgomery, Assistant Planner Anders confirmed that there were benefits to having a comprehensive sign plan. Board Member Montgomery recommended that the applicant provide a more specific proposal for review, noting the difficulty to provide specific direction. 4. Consultation The applicant's sign representative for Mad Madeline's Grill presented a preliminary sign plan, requesting Board input prior to moving forward with development of the signs; specified the size of the three proposed signs; noted the applicant's desire to utilize a red color in order to be consistent with the building color and due to the business's logo colors; and for Board Member Montgomery, specified the location of the signs. For Board Member Blair, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the building's color was red and white, noting the applicant's recent patio expansion maintaining the existing red and white colors. In response to Assistant Planner Anders, the applicant's representative relayed that the applicant would be willing to utilize the muted red color that the McDonalds' use had utilized. Board Member Montgomery relayed that he could support utilization of the muted red color, noting that red colors were utilized historically, advising that it would be consistent with the Old Western motif. Assistant Planner Anders relayed that for the blue color proposed on the sign, a color from the Old Town color palette should be utilized. For Board Member Montgomery, the applicant's representative relayed that the letters on the sign would be approximately seven and three-quarters inches in height; and for Chairman Harker, noted that the sign would be sandblasted. Additional discussion ensued regarding the letter height recommendations in the Specific Plan. Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the specified recommendations were in Section IV, page 49. Referencing the Specific Plan, Board Member Blair noted that the sign should be compatible with the building's color. Chairman Harker relayed the importance of maintaining a balance between the Board granting flexibility and maintaining quality signage, noting the desire to not revert back to the past condition which created a negative visual appearance. Board Member Montgomery recommended that the Board visit the sites in order to review the proposals, relaying that with this particular proposal, it was difficult to visualize the muted red color of the sign with the building color. In response, Assistant Planner Anders noted that staff did visit the sites. After additional Board discussion, the applicant's sign representative relayed that he would create a sample board of redwood with various muted red colors for the Board to review the actual application of the paint on the wood. OTLRB Iminutes/081500 5. Board Discussion With respect to the Butterfield Inn signage that had been previously presented to the Board, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the applicant had revised the color to rockwood red, noting that the lettering would be individual sandblasted letters. Board Member Montgomery relayed that due to the proposed location of the letters, there should be a background feature in order to make the sign more legible. Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the applicant could utilize a painted plywood for a background material. it was the consensus of the Board to direct the applicant to install a backing for the lettering. In response to the Board, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that the next meeting would be a walking tour of Old Town, noting that the meeting place would be in the Stampede parking lot, and would begin at 9:00 A.M. For informational purposes, Board Member Blair relayed that he had attended the public meeting for discussion of the Old Town Theater Project; noted that the discussions had been inclusive of installing marquis signage, and construction of a 40-foot ceiling with an additional loft, advising that the Specific Plan may need to be amended for this future development plan. In response, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that staff would investigate, noting that the building maximum height limit for this area was currently a two-story building, with a 28-foot height; and noted that typically comprehensive amendments were made to the Specific Plan every five years. Chairman Harker provided additional information regarding the Old Town Theater Project discussions, noting that the meetings were not heId on a regularly scheduled basis. Chairman Harker reiterated that the September 11, 2000 Board meeting would begin with a walking tour in Old Town. Board Member Montgomery commented on the allowable monument signage in Old Town, suggesting that the Board review the locations during the walking tour. Board Member Blair requested that his correct address be utilized for the Board mailings. In response, Assistant Planner Anders noted that she would investigate, advising that the Planning Department had recently had numerous staff changes. 6. Staff Approvals No comments. OTLRB Iminutes/081 $00 ADJOURNMENT At 10:53 A.M. Chairman Harker formally adjourned this meeting to a Walking Tour Old Town Temecula Local Review Board Meeting on Monday, September 11, 2000, at 9:00 A. M., in the Stampede Parking lot, 28721 Old Town Front Street, Old Town Temecula, California. Chairman Will~am Harker Assistant Planner Patricia Anders 6