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HomeMy WebLinkAbout061200 OTLRB MinutesOT~RB Iminute~61200 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE OLD TOWN TEMECULA LOCAL REVIEW BOARD JUNE t2, 2000 CALL TO ORDER The Old Town Temecula Local Review Board convened in a regular meeting at 9:04 A.M., on Monday, June 12, 2000, in the Community Development Conference Room of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. ROLLCALL Present: Board Members Blair, Montgomery, Ross, and Chairman Harker Absent: Board Member Allen. Also Present: Assistant Planner Anders, Development Processing Coordinator Noland, Code Enforcement Officer Cole, and Minute Clerk Hansen At this time, Deputy City Clerk Ballreich duly swore In the newly appointed Board Member, Mr. Ned Montgomery. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Doc Laine, representing Jane&Doc's Real Western Traders, relayed his concern with the sign regulations; noting the setback of his building located on a side street in Old Town (Main Street), via photographs, clarified the visibility impacts; provided additional data regarding the numerous vacant businesses in Old Town; and queried the Board for recommendations with respect to signage due to his setback location and the restrictions on his use regarding installation of monument signage. Development Processing Coordinator Noland relayed staff's efforts to investigate installation of directional signage in Old Town, clarifying that in the City of Temecula there were legal issues restricting off-site signage. Assistant Planner Anders provided additional information regarding the legal issues, and the Old Town Specific Plan regulations, clarifying that there were no allowances for exceptions; and relayed that the Old Town Specific plan could be amended, noting that it would be a timely process. Mr. Laine advised that it was his preference to stay in Old town, while noting that if there could be no exceptions to the sign regulations for buildings with large setbacks, which would create a lack of patronage, he would most likely need to relocate. In response, Assistant Planner Anders relayed that he could install a projecting sign, specifying that the dimensions could be a maximum of six square feet. Ms. Helga Berger, representing Serendipity and The Chocolate Florist in Old Town relayed past discussions the City had had with the Old Town merchants, noting that she had been involved with the development of Old Town for over ten years; relayed that to encourage businesses locating on the side streets, leeway was granted with respect to signs; clarified that her business was located further back from Front Street than Mr. Laine's use; and recommended allowance of well-designed additional signs (i.e., sandwich signs) for businesses with negative visibility impacts. In response to Chairman Harker, Mr. Laine relayed that it would be satisfactory if he could keep his freestanding sign on his property. Assistant Planner Anders reiterated that there were no sign allowances for exceptions in the Old Town Specific Plan which was adopted by the City Council; and in response to Mr. Laine, advised that the Council liaison for Old Town was Councilman Pratt, recommending that he be invited to a Board meeting, or that a separate meeting be scheduled at the site with staff and the merchants in order for the concerns to be further addressed. Ms. Berger relayed that the restrictions would restrict growth in Old Town. Development Processing Coordinator Noland relayed that staff would provide further specification for the Board regarding the legal restrictions associated with directional signage. Assistant Planner Anders advised that allowance of directional signs would open up the window for billboard sign installations in the City. In response to the merchants comments, Development Processing Coordinator Noland advised that installation of a main directory in Old Town might be an effective tool for displaying the location of all the merchants; and relayed that staff would, additionally, investigate directional signage that was general in nature (i.e., stating more shops with arrows denoting direction). Mr. Laine queried whether he should address his concerns with the Council. Development Processing Coordinator Noland clarified that the sandwich signs could be displayed any 12 days of the month. Chairman Harker relayed that there was a need for signage allowances or a minor exception for specific uses (i.e., businesses located on side streets). Development Processing Coordinator Noland advised that although the process had not been initiated, the merchants concerns regarding exceptions for uses with specified setbacks was proposed to be addressed when the Specific Plan amendments were setforth. Additional Board discussion ensued regarding signage in Old Town. 2 OTLRB Iminutes~61200 BOARD BUSINESS 1. Approval of Minutes - May 8, 2000 MOTION: Board Member Blair moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Board Member Montgomery and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Board Member Allen who was absent. 2. Old Business A. Sign Enforcement Program Review Code Enforcement Cole relayed the data that was provided to the Old Town merchants with respect to merchants that had on-site signage that was not within regulation; noted that there would be a 30-day period for the merchants to initiate obtaining a sign permit, and then there would be a 10-day notice of violation, a subsequent 10-day notice, and ultimately a citation would be issued. Board Member Montgomery referenced the data noting the terminology stating, "freestanding signs on lots with less than a 20-foot frontage of building with a setback of 10 feet or greater), with respect to freestanding signs, relayed that there appeared to be leeway for uses with setbacks of 10 feet or greater. Additional discussion ensued with respect to the business activity in Old Town inclusive of the hours of operation, noting that the majority of the stores closed at an early hour. 3. New Business No comments. 4. Consultation Development Processing Coordinator Noland relayed the sign proposal for the Country Goose use, noting that the colors would be muted and consistent with the color palette for Old Town; advised that this particular building had a sign program; and for Board Member Montgomery, relayed that the materials utilized would be metal and wood. Assistant Planner Anders provided additional information regarding a proposal for a use behind the M&M Art & Frame use. For informational purposes, Assistant Planner Anders presented photographs of authentic looking Old Town in Arizona. Chairman Harker relayed that he had a video displaying Oatman, Arizona. Board Member Montgomery recommended placing Chairman Harker's video on the agenda for the July 10th meeting for'a video presentation. 5. Board Discussion OTLRB Iminutes/061200 Chairman Harker requested staff to investigate when the Board would appoint a new Chairman and Vice Chairman. Board Member Ross queried whether the Board could be updated with respect to the status of projects that have come before the Board for recommendations. Anders provided additional information regarding the timely process of development in Old Town for numerous uses; relayed a general update of the status of development at t~is time. Board discussion ensued regarding the Board making recommendations with respect to the issues presented from the Old Town merchants; and Board Member Ross offered to draft a letter addressing the issues of concern (i.e., directional signage). With respect to directional signage, Board Member Ross recommended that the Board receive specific documentation as to the legal restrictions associated with directional signage in order to address merchants' comments. General directional signage was discussed without specific entities represented. Development Processing Coordinator Noland relayed that he would further investigate the matter. 6. Staff Approvals No comments. ADJOURNMENT At 10:47 A.M. Chairman Harker formally adjourned this meeting to Monday, July 10, 2000, at 9:00 A. M., in the Community Development Conference Room of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temeoula, California. Chairman William Harker 4