2017/11/01 Planning Commission ResolutionPLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2017-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT
PARK, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENTS TO THE ROHNERT PARK MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 17.27
(SIGNS) OF THE ROHNERT PARK MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the applicant, City of Rohnert Park, filed Planning Application No.
PLMC17-0003 proposing to amend the Rohnert Park Municipal Code ("RPMC") by amending
Chapter 17.27 (Signs) of the City of Rohnert Park Zoning Ordinance and more specifically
Chapter 17.27.050, Exempt Signs (J.) Temporary Signs, (6.) Special Event Signs); and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Chapter 17.27 would update the sign
regulations of the RPMC related to temporary signage to allow for a more enforceable sign code
provision, to create additional flexibility for the more seasonal events and to establish alternative
key sites for temporary sign placement of all special event signage; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the revisions are to promote the safety, economic, aesthetic
and general welfare of the citizens of the City by allowing for appropriate signage standards that
will further the City's goal of creating and maintaining a safe and aesthetically pleasing
community; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to Chapter 17.27 (Signs) are attached hereto as
Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS; pursuant to California State Law and the RPMC, public notice was
published in the Press Democrat for a minimum of 10 days prior to the first public hearing; and
WHEREAS; on October 12, 2017 and November 1, 2017 the Planning Commission held
public hearings at which times interested persons has an opportunity to testify either in support
or opposition to the proposal; and
WHEREAS; the Planning Commission reviewed and considered the information
contained in Planning Application No. PLMC17-0003 for the proposed amendments to Chapter
17.27 (Signs) of the RPMC.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City
of Rohnert Park makes the following findings, determinations and recommendations with respect
Chapter 17.27 of the RPMC;
Section 1. The above recitations are true and correct.
Section 2. The Planning Commission, in recommending approval to the City Council
of Planning Application No. PLMC 17-003, the proposed amendments to Rohnert Park
Municipal Code, Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance), Chapter 17.27 (Signs), makes the following
findings:
1. That the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance are consistent with the
General Plan 2020.
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed amendments are consistent with provisions related
to signage contained within General Plan 2020, "to promote designs that enhance the
character of the community and minimize hazards." This ordinance, as amended,
would appropriate temporary signage in a balanced, fair, and equitable manner and as
such would minimize hazards associated with excessive and illegal signage.
1. Goal CD -J relating to Neighborhoods and Focus areas, states a goal to,
"Maintain the character of existing neighborhoods while undertaking
streetscape and signage improvements in selected areas."
2. Goal TR -A relating to the Street System, states a goal to, "Promote safe and
efficient vehicular circulation throughout Rohnert Park."
The proposed sign provisions help implement the General Plan and specifically
implement the Goals and Policies listed above.
2. That the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will be beneficial to the
public health, safety or welfare.
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed amendments will benefit the public by creating a
more streamlined temporary sign review process, reducing visual clutter from
unregulated signs and improving the appearance of temporary signs installed within
the community. The proposed amendments will not have any detrimental impacts
and will have some positive impacts to the public health, safety or welfare.
Section 3. Environmental Clearance. The Planning Commission finds the approval of
the amendments is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA")
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity
is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in a physical change to
the environment, directly or indirectly. Alternatively, the Planning Commission finds the approval
of these amendments is exempt under CEQA Regulation Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be
seen with certainty to have no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Section 4. A duly noticed public hearing concerning the proposed amendments was
held by the Planning Commission on October 12, 2017 and a second duly notice public hearing
was held on November 1, 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission
does hereby recommend that the City Council adopt Findings stated hereinabove and adopt an
ordinance amending the RPMC to amend Chapter 17.27 (Signs) of the Zoning Ordinance, in the
form provided in Exhibit A.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED on this 1 st day of November, 2017 by the City
of Rohnert Park Planning Commission by the following vote:
AYES:4 NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: L
ADAMS l•' t BLANQUIE W� BORBA/tC y,, ! GIUDICE HAYDON
Susan Haydon,'Chairperson, Rohnert Park Planning Commission
Attest:
"Susan vedo, Recording Secretary
Exhibit A to Resolution No. 2017-26
Amendments to Chapter 17.27 (Signs) of the Rohnert Park Municipal Code
17.27.050 — J. Temporary Signs
6. Special Event Signs
Special Event Signs. Signs or banners that advertise and publicize special events to be held
within Rohnert Park are permitted, including, but not limited to, civic events and special events,
grand openings, religious services and athletic sign-ups are permitted in accordance with the
following standards or guidelines:
a. A maximum of two special event signs not exceeding thirty-two square feet each, located
on the property where the event is taking place;
b. One banner for special events, for a civic or nonprofit organization may stretch across
City Center Drive and/or Lynne Conde Way;
C. Banners for community events, i.e., holiday lights event, maybe displayed seasonally
between the months of November and February only in the lawn area on the north side of
Rohnert Park Expressway between Lynne Conde Way and the SMART tracks.
d. Banners for other civic events, i.e., Fanner's Market and Performing Art Center
performances may b� e displayed at the northeast corner of Lynne Conde Way and Rohnert
Park Expressway. e
ee. Up to three banners for a civic or nonprofit organization not exceeding thirty-two square
feet each and no more than one at each location for special events may be placed at the
following locations:
i.
5050 Gemmer-ee ; _South side of Rohnert Park Expressway at
Hinebaugh Creek;
ii. West side of Commerce Boulevard, in the vicinity of Arlen Drive on the
landscaped strip adjacent to Highway 101; aod
iii. Northeast corner of E. Cotati Avenue at Snyder Lane..-; and
iv. City parcel on Labath Avenue, south of the Westside Public Safety Facility
location.
bf. The term the special event sign may be displayed shall not exceed fourteen consecutive
days and more than four times in any calendar year.
eg. Two hundred dollars shall be deposited with the development services department to
assure the special event signs are removed at the conclusion of the event and against
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which the city may charge the costs of removal if the applicant fails to do so. If the
applicant removes the special event signs, the funds deposited with the city shall be
refunded to the applicant.
dh. A list of the location of the special event signs or banners together with the required
deposit shall be submitted to the development services department before the installation
of the proposed signs or banners.
ei. The applicant shall submit to the development services department a list of names,
addresses and telephone numbers of three responsible adults in the organization to whom
the sign permit is issued.
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