2007/05/10 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, May 10, 2007
The Planning Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in a regular session commencing at 7:00
p.m. in the City Council Conference Room, 6750 Commerce Blvd., with Chairperson Adams presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Adams called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 7:00 p.m. with staff leading the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call
Present (4) Commissioners: Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Armstrong,
Commissioner Ahanotu and Commissioner Kilat were present. Commissioner
Callinan was excused.
Senior Planner, Maureen Rich, and Recording Clerk was present.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Armstrong to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2007 as presented. The
motion carried with a 3-0 vote. Commissioner Kilat abstained.
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Adams acknowledged the posting of the Agenda of this meeting in
Public Noticing
three (3) public places, per the requirements of the Brown Act.
Unscheduled
None.
Public Appearances
Design Review
Senior Planner, Maureen Rich, gave the staff report. She stated that the sign
program for the Sommers and Oates Professional building at 5880 Commerce
True North/Freedom
Boulevard was brought before the Commission at the April 12, 2007 meeting.
Graphics
The applicant proposed at that time to install flat cut vinyl lettering on the
monument sign. Staff's recommendation was to use individual, raised, acrylic
File No. PL2007-004SR
letters. The resolution was approved by the Commission approving staff's
recommendation with the understanding that the issue would be reopened for the
purpose of discussing the applicant's request to use flat -cut vinyl lettering on the
monument sign. The applicant's argument is that the flat -cut, vinyl letters are
cheaper to purchase, cheaper to install, and when they require removal (as for a
new tenant) the quality of the underlying aluminum panel is maintained. Ms. Rich
provided the Commission with design guidelines for signage from other cities.
She noted that based upon the guidelines for other cities in California, it appears
that there are no prohibitions against flat, vinyl -cut letters on monument signs as
long as the letters are well proportioned and appropriately designed. Ms. Rich
provided the Commission with three alternatives:
1. Amend Resolution 2007-11 to permit flat -cut, vinyl letters
2. Leave Resolution 2007-11 as is, i.e., letters on the monument sign are
required to be constructed out of individual acrylic letters.
3. Direct staff to revise the City's Design Guidelines to include material
recommendations for monument signs that lettering be constructed of
Planning Commission Minutes
Mav 10, 2007
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Chairperson
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Recording Clerk
individual acrylic lettering.
Also provided to the Commission was a sample board depicting both flat cut vinyl
lettering and raised acrylic.
The applicant, Tom Pforsich, was recognized.
Discussion was held between the applicant, staff and commission regarding the
location and promenance of signage in Rohnert Park. The commission was split
on the issue of raised lettering versus flat cut vinyl lettering.
By a vote of 2 Ayes (Kilat, Ahanotu) and 2 Noes (Armstrong and Adams)
the original Resolution requiring raised acrylic lettering will stand.
Amended resolution fails.
Matters From
None.
Commissioners
Matters from Planning
Ms. Rich reported on the following:
Staff
. Next meeting: Use Permit for consulting and training business.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Adams adjourned the meeting at
7:32 PM until Thursday, May 24, 2007.
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Chairperson
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Recording Clerk