City Council
MEETING DATE: 3/23/2016
TITLE:
Title
Review of Cathedral City Municipal Code Chapter 9.80 "Accessory Structures, Structure Heights, Yards, Walls and Fencing" and Chapter 9.62.040 item G "Window Signs"
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FROM:
Pat Milos, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council receive an update and review Cathedral City Municipal Code Chapter 9.80 Accessory Structures, Structure Heights, Yards, Walls and Fencing and Chapter 9.62.040 item G "Window Signs" and provide staff direction.
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BACKGROUND:
In 1984 the City Council adopted Ordinance 80 intended to implement the goals and policies of the general plan of the city of Cathedral City by preserving and enhancing the visual aspects of the city and to promote the orderly and attractive construction, and placement of accessory structures, regulate structure heights, yards, walls and fencing throughout the city of Cathedral City. The Ordinance has been amended twice since to keep it up to date, add detail and better define the purpose and intent of the code.
In 2009 the City Council adopted Ordinances 672 and 681 intended to implement the goals and policies of the General Plan of the city of Cathedral City by preserving and enhancing the visual aspects of the City and promote the orderly and attractive placement and display of signs throughout the city. Other interests served included the promotion of tourism and commerce and the overall quality of life as affected by signs.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council reviewed Cathedral City Municipal Codes (CCMC) 9.62.040 "Signs" as well as Chapter 9.80 "Accessory Structures, Structure Heights, Yards, Walls and Fencing" during study sessions in late 2015. During those sessions the Council directed staff to present both Municipal Codes to the Cathedral City Planning Commission for their feedback.
Subsequently the Planning Commission considered both items at their February 17, 2016 regular meeting and the following are their recommendations.
●. Continue to adhere to and enforce items 2,3,4,5 & 6 of the current code (see below) CCMC Section 9.62.040 item G "Window Signs" and, with Planning Staff discretion, allow window film that is not commercial in nature or does not advertise any product. The Planning Commission recommends that item 1. Be amended to allow the business owner to determine the window sign placement as long as they adhere to item 2 which addresses the cumulative maximum window coverage of 20%, conditioned on Public Safety approval.
G. Window signs in commercial and industrial zones, subject to the following provisions:
1. Window signs shall be posted on the inside of a window but not between four feet above exterior grade and seven feet above exterior grade, which area is to remain clear of signage,
2. Cumulatively, said signs shall cover less than twenty percent of the area of a window located on the ground floor of the building,
3. Cumulatively, said signs shall cover less than ten percent of the area of a window located on the second story of a building frontage,
4. The only illumination permitted is neon signage,
5. Signs inside the building but within three feet of a storefront window shall be counted as a window sign, and
6. Temporary signs displayed in the window shall be included when calculating the area of the window that may be covered with a window sign; however, said sign area shall not be counted toward the aggregate of the otherwise allowable sign area. (Ord. 672 § 2, 2009)
● Continue to adhere to and enforce the current code CCMC section 9.80 "Accessory Structures" in its entirety. The Planning Commission does not recommend standardizing other materials such as metal, vinyl, composite, etc. and promotes that staff will continue to review potential projects on a case by case basis with the emphasis on consistency with the existing building architecture and consider the adoption of a policy or code amendment to provide an applicant with an appeal procedure that mirrors the current Administrative Design Review process utilizing the Architectural Review Sub Committee (CCMC 9.78.050)
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no immediate related fiscal impacts
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CCMC 9.62.040 Exempt Signs
2. CCMC 9.78.050 Administrative Design Review
3. CCMC 9.80 Accessory Structures, Structure Heights, Yards, Walls and Fencing