FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 24-0023: Design Review Sign No. 24-0021- A request to establish a sign program for the existing Fontana Sierra Plaza shopping center on an approximately 12.3-acre site located at the southwest corner of Sierra Avenue and Marygold Avenue, pursuant to a Categorical Exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section No. 15311.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information contained in this staff report and subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2024____; and,
1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section No. 15311 (Class 11, Accessory Structures), and Section No. 3.22 (Categorical Exemption) of the Local 2019 Guidelines for Implementing the CEQA, and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption; and,
2. Approve Design Review Sign No. 24-0021
APPLICANT:
Sign & Services Company, Inc.
10980 Boatman Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680
LOCATION:
The project site is located on the west side of Sierra Avenue, south of Marygold Avenue (APN: 0193-361-05).
REQUEST:
Design Review Sign No. 24-0021 - A request to establish a sign program for an existing shopping center (Fontana Sierra Plaza).
PROJECT PLANNER:
Alexia Barberena, Associate Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
1. On July 16, 2023, the Director of Planning approved Administrative Site Plan No. 23-001 for a façade modification for a new Aldi’s grocery store.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Project Area: Approximately 12.3 acres
B. Sign Program:
The following is a summary of the proposed sign criteria identified in the sign program:
|
SIGN TYPE |
CHARACTERISTICS/GUIDELINES |
|
Anchor Tenant Wall Signs |
1 square foot of sign area per linear foot of leased store frontage; secondary signs allowed. |
|
Major Tenant Wall Signs |
1 square foot of sign area per linear foot of leased store frontage; no secondary signs allowed. |
|
Drive Thru Tenant |
1 square foot of sign area per linear foot of leased store frontage; no secondary signs allowed. Drive thru menu boards and directional signage shall follow the Fontana Municipal Code. |
|
Shop Tenant |
1 square foot of sign area per linear foot of leased store frontage; no secondary signs allowed. |
|
Multi-Tenant Pylon Sign |
1 multi-tenant pylon sign with 100 sq. ft sign area maximum and a height not to exceed 25 feet. |
|
Del Taco Monument Sign |
Existing to remain |
|
Bank of America Monument Sign |
Existing to remain |
|
Tenant & Door Window Graphics |
Additional Window Graphics Area (Not to Exceed 25% of Total Window Area) Limited to tenant name, logo, hours of operation or graphics related to business identity; Window signage must not exceed 25% of the glazed area of the individual windowpanes |
ANALYSIS:
The applicant, Signs & Services Company, Inc., is requesting that the Planning Commission review and approve Design Review Sign (DRS) No. 24-0021 for a new sign program that will create a unique sign program with custom site-specific standards throughout the shopping center. The proposed sign program will help to integrate the design of signs with the overall building and landscape design to form an architectural statement. The project site is a rectangle shaped parcel located on the west side of Sierra Avenue, south of Marygold Avenue.
Design Review Sign No. 24-0021
The applicant is proposing a sign program that will govern the signage on this site and will result in signage that will be proportional to the building sizes/heights. The sign program will function to provide unique and vibrant signage to the shopping center by using custom tailored site-specific standards that will complement the existing shopping center.
As part of the sign program, the applicant is proposing to keep two existing pylon signs for individual businesses; one located in front of the Bank of America, and the other located in front of the Del Taco drive thru restaurant. The applicant will remove an existing roof sign that sits on one of the major tenant buildings.
With the sign program, the applicant is proposing a new pylon sign to be located at the primary entrance of the shopping center (Sierra Avenue and Fontana Center/Permanente Drive). The pylon sign will reflect a modern architectural style that will complement the new Aldi’s building, as well as complement the existing buildings on site. To exemplify the modern theme, the applicant will be using a smooth painted finish in addition to wood bark veneer at the base to compliment the Adli’s building. This new design will set the new standard for the shopping center and any future building modifications and/or new signage will be required to match the modern architectural style.
Additionally, the applicant will be installing a new landscape planter at the main entrance of the shopping center (located Sierra Avenue and Fontana Center/Permanente Drive) where the new pylon sign will be installed. With the added landscape and pylon sign, the appearance of the shopping center will be enhanced.
The Fontana Sierra Plaza is a mixed-use property located on an approximately 12.3 acres that fronts Sierra Avenue. The site can be accessed by driveways on Sierra Avenue and Marygold Avenue. The existing parking provided meets the minimum parking spaces required by the Fontana Municipal Code
Environmental:
This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section No. 15311(a) (Class No. 11, Accessory Structures) of the CEQA Guidelines and Section No. 3.22 (Categorical Exemption) of the City of Fontana’s Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA. The project is considered exempt and meets the CEQA requirement for Section 15311, as the project is the construction or placement of existing commercial on-premises signage, accessory to an existing shopping center. Furthermore, none of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines section15300.2 apply to the project.
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Vicinity Map
2. Sign Program Plans
3. Planning Commission Resolution and Conditions of Approval
4. Notice of Exemption
5. Public Hearing Notice