Planning Commission
MEETING DATE: 9/19/2018
Title
CASE NO. Conditional Use Permit No. 18-023
APPLICANT: Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC, Betsy Hayes
LOCATION: 67930 Ramon Road (APN: 677-420-023)
REQUEST: Consider a Conditional Use Permit Application to replace an existing double face static billboard with a new double face billboard with one LED digital face and one static face in a location to accommodate the Ramon Road bridge widening, within the OS (Open Space) zoning district.
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STAFF PLANNER:
Robert Rodriguez, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
APPROVE an exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section No. 15302, Class No. 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
APPROVE Conditional Use Permit No. 18-023 subject to the attached Conditions of Approval and based on the findings contained in the staff report.
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FINDINGS:
APPROVAL OF AN EXEMPTION TO CEQA based on the finding that the project qualifies as Categorically Exempt under Section No. 15302, Class No. 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 18-023, subject to the attached conditions of approval and based on the following findings:
1. The replacement of an existing static billboard with a billboard with a digital display is authorized as a conditional use per the City of Cathedral City Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 9.62 (Signs);
2. The digital billboard is necessary or desirable for the development of the community as it will allow the advertising of local, regional and national events, services and products to local residents and visitors, and is not detrimental to existing uses or to uses specifically permitted in the Open Space (OS) zoning district.
3. The site where the digital billboard will be located, the north side of Ramon Road, west of Landau Boulevard (APN: 677-420-023), is adequate in size and shape to accommodate such use, and the widening of the Ramon Road bridge.
4. The site for the digital billboard relates properly to streets and highways which are designed and improved to carry the type and quantity of traffic generated or to be generated by the proposed use.
5. The applicant agrees to comply with any and all of the conditions imposed by the Planning Commission or be subject to a revocation hearing.
BACKGROUND:
In 2015, Section 9.62.070A (Special Sign Provisions - Billboard Signs) of the Cathedral City Municipal Code (CCMC) was amended to add regulations and development standards for the construction of billboards with digital display or changeable copy in the City as well as allow for relocations of existing billboards.
Ramon Road from San Luis Rey Drive to Landau Boulevard will be widened from 4 lanes to 6 lanes, which will include widening of the Ramon Road bridge at the Whitewater River. The edge of the bridge will move approximately 19 feet to the north from the current edge. As a result, the existing billboard, which is located on the north side of Ramon Road, approximately 250 feet west of Landau Boulevard, will need to be relocated to accommodate the bridge widening. (see Attachment 2)
Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC submitted a Conditional Use Permit application on July 11, 2018 to replace an existing double face, v-type static billboard (approximately 10'6" by 36' supported by a monopole base) with a new double face, v-type billboard with one LED digital face and one static face (approximately 10’6" by 36’ supported by a monopole base).
ANALYSIS:
Under Section 9.62.070A of the CCMC, an existing billboard may be replaced so long as "the replacement display and its foundation shall be located in the same or as close as reasonable to the same location upon the same parcel of property," and is constructed in conformance with development standards such as height, setbacks and face size.
The existing billboard will be relocated directly to the north of the existing location, within the same parcel of property. The edge of the billboard closest to Ramon Road will be moved approximately 11' to the north, with the display edge of the 378-square foot double face, v-type replacement billboard set back 2' from the new right-of-way. The billboard will have one structural support (monopole), set back 22'6" from the right-of-way, with the lowest portion of the billboard at 17' and the overall height at 30' above Ramon Road. Therefore, the proposed replacement billboard complies with the development standards. (see Attachment 3 and 4)
One face of the billboard will be an LED digital face. A billboard with a digital display or changeable copy may be permitted subject to the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit and compliance with location criteria and lighting and illumination standards. The minimum distance between billboards from any direction shall be 1,000 feet. The nearest billboard to the proposed location is approximately 1,300 feet to the west.
The lighting and illumination standards address minimum duration of a message, transition time, brightness of the display, and lighting levels. In addition, animated images that give the appearance of movement, or changes in illumination intensity during the static display period are prohibited. Compliance with these standards have been included in the Conditions of Approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Staff has determined that the project meets all the conditions for a Categorical Exemption under Section No. 15302, Class No. 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
NOTE: The City of Cathedral City Planning Department is custodian of the documents or other material, which constitute the record of proceedings upon which this decision is based.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
This project and the environmental determination were noticed in accordance with the City Municipal Code and CEQA. (See Attachment No. 4)
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Conditions of Approval
Attachment 2: Site Photo
Attachment 3: Relocation Plan
Attachment 4: Billboard Plan
Attachment 5: Public Hearing Notice