Staff Report

ITEM NO. D-2

REPORT DATE. 4/26/02

ASSESSOR=S PARCEL: 059-151-36

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:

This proposal is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as specified in Section 15301.

PROPOSAL:

The applicant is proposing to install a new window sign, a projecting blade sign, and two awning signs at the property located at 13 Main Street. All the proposed signs have the same copy of "Citrus" on them, which is the name of the new business. The total sign area would be approximately 10.4 square feet, and distributed as follows:

1.    The window sign would be approximately 6 square feet in size, and be adhered to the inside of the window. The letters would be black on a white background.

2.    The projecting blade sign would be approximately 2 square feet in size, and comprised of MDO plywood. The letters would be black, and the background would be sage green. A sample of the background color will be made available at the Design Review Board meeting.

3.    The two awning signs would be approximately 1.2 square feet in size each, and painted directly onto the awning. The letters would be white in color.

Sign Area

The total area allowed for signs is one square foot of signage for each four linear feet of building frontage, according to the Sign Ordinance (Chapter 16A of the Tiburon Municipal Code). The building has approximately 12 feet of store front facing Main Street, therefore three square feet of sign area is allowed. The proposed sign area would be approximately 10.4 square feet, which exceeds the permitted sign area. The Sign Ordinance states that the Design Review Board may grant exceptions to the sign requirements if it makes the following two findings:

1.    Exceptional physical circumstances or conditions exist which apply to the site or location under consideration.

2.    The exception is not inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter.

In addition to having frontage on Main Street the subject business also has frontage on a public walkway adjacent to Servino’s Restaurant. Although the walkway is not a public street or along a publicly traveled waterway, the determination could be made that the front part of the side elevation could be added to the street frontage calculation. This would give the business an additional 35 feet of frontage, for a total of 57 feet. Using this calculation, 14.25 square feet of sign area could be allowed, and thus the proposed 10.4 square feet of sign area could be approved.

The intent of the Sign Ordinance is to ensure signs are appropriate and compatible with the environment and character of the community, while having the flexibility to encourage variety and good design. The proposed signs are consistent in materials and design as some of the other signs found on Main Street.

Sign Number

The Sign Ordinance allows states that two signs may be displayed at any given time. Four signs are proposed for the new business. The Ordinance makes the following exceptions related to sign number:

1.    A sign whose primary function is to identify the name of the business shall not be counted under this section.

2.    A third sign may be allowed if determined to be necessary for the reasonable visibility of the business.

3.     A  building that fronts more than one street may be permitted two signs per side of building fronting a street.

The proposed awning signs could be considered signs whose primary functions are to identify the name of the business. Using this definition, the awning signs should not be counted towards the total number of signs. Therefore, the business would have two remaining signs which meets the sign number criteria.

The business has a relatively small store front, and if limited to two signs as specified by the Sign Ordinance, the business would not be adequately visible. One of the awning signs could be considered a third sign that would provide that reasonable amount of visibility.

Although the business has only one side of the building fronting a street, it does have frontage onto a public walkway. If the walkway is considered a significant thoroughfare, it could be counted another side of frontage. Therefore, the business would be allowed two additional signs for a total of four signs, which is what has been proposed.

Public Comment

To date, Staff has not received any written correspondence from the public regarding this proposal.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the Board review this project with respect to Zoning Ordinance Section 4.02.07 and Chapter 16A-4 (Guiding Principles of Review). If the Board finds that the design of the project is consistent with the Guiding Principles for Site Plan and Architectural Review, and the Principles of Review for signs, then it is recommended that the project be approved with the attached Conditions of Approval.

1. Conditions of approval

2. Application and supplemental materials dated March 27, 2002.

3. Example of signs and their design

EXHIBIT 1

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL  13 MAIN STREET  FILE #50205

1.    This sign permit shall be valid for 90 days following approval, and shall expire and become null and void unless the sign, as approved, is erected prior to that date or unless an extension, filed in writing with the Planning & Building Department, is granted by the Director.

2.    The development of this project shall conform to the application dated by the Town of Tiburon on March 27, 2002, or as amended by these conditions of approval. Any modifications to the plans submitted must be reviewed and approved by the Design Review Staff or the Board.

3.    The issuance of this sign permit shall not be valid if the approval constitutes a violation of the Town's Sign Ordinance (Chapter 16A of the Municipal Code). No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of said chapter shall be valid.

4.    The Town may at any time make such inspections as necessary to determine whether any sign is in compliance with this approval and other applicable regulations.

5.    Permittee shall maintain the sign and all supporting components in good repair and finish. Substantially deteriorated, badly weathered, rusty, or otherwise poorly maintained signs shall be subject to public nuisance abatement or other available remedies.

6.    The overhead clearance of the projecting blade sign shall be at least eight feet from the surface of the sidewalk, and the overall height of the sign shall not exceed twelve feet.