Division 2 — OFF-SITE SIGNS

The installation of an off-site sign or advertising display shall be permitted only in the Modelo Specific Plan zone subject to the restrictions of said specific plan and the Master Sign Plan approved concurrently therewith, as such plans may be modified from time to time, and the M-2 zone with the issuance of a conditional use permit, except that no off-site sign shall be permitted under any circumstance along Atlantic Avenue, Washington Boulevard, and Interstate five; nor within seven hundred fifty linear feet of The Citadel property; nor within a redevelopment project area; nor within two hundred feet of the civic center, a park, a school, or a property zoned for residential use (except as authorized within the Modelo Specific Plan).

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000; Ord. No. 785, § 6, 2-22-2022).

A.

Any legally nonconforming off-site sign may be considered as a candidate for relocation approval on a two for one basis. Upon agreement between the sign owner and the city, the sign owner may abandon two such legally nonconforming off-site signs and replace them with one new sign, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

B.

Under the relocation program, the new sign shall comply with all requirements of this chapter relating to off- site signs, except that compliance with spacing requirements may be waived by the planning commission. However, in no case shall spacing between any two off-site signs be less than five hundred feet.

C.

Any sign proposed for relocation pursuant to this section shall be made to the planning commission. In considering such an application, the planning commission shall take into account the following considerations, among others:

Whether or not the area has excessive visual clutter;

Whether or not the proposed relocated sign would be compatible with uses and structures on the proposed site and in the surrounding area;

Whether or not the proposed site is in an area that is actively contemplated for or actively being upgraded. Among indications of such upgrading are:

a.

A specific program for beautification or undergrounding of utilities;

b.

A neighborhood business center revitalization program; and/or

c.

Inclusion in a redevelopment area.

Whether or not the off-site sign would create a traffic or safety problem with regard to on-site access, circulation, or visibility;

Whether or not the proposed sign would interfere with on-site parking or landscaping required by city ordinance or permit;

Proximity to residential zoning districts or residential housing;

Proximity to other off-site signs;

Field of vision shared with other off-site signs and on-site signs;

Maintenance quality and appearance of the signs proposed for removal; and

Aesthetic and visual problems caused in their existing locations by the signs proposed for removal.

D.

The signs to be removed must be removed from their respective sites prior to commencement of construction or installation of the new sign. A building permit will be required for removal.

E.

A conditional use permit shall not be required for the new sign, but the fees required for all new off-site signs shall be paid.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A.

The following development standards shall apply to all off-site signs:

Maximum Height. Forty-two feet, measured from the ground surface to the uppermost point of the sign. For freeway-oriented off-site signs, height shall be measured from the closest freeway grade to the uppermost point of the sign.

Maximum Area. Eight hundred square feet per sign face.

Maximum Number of Sign Faces. Two. However, any off-site sign located on frontage property along Interstate 5 established on or before the effective date of the ordinance codified in this subsection shall be permitted a third face, provided that such third face attaches to the existing off-site sign structure; the existing off-site sign structure footing conforms to applicable building code requirements without any modifications required for the third face; the two existing faces not be repositioned in any manner to accommodate the third face; and the third face is of equal dimensions to the two existing faces

Minimum Distance from Another Off-site Sign. Seven hundred twenty feet.

Minimum Distance from Freeway Ramp or Street Intersection. Three hundred seventy-five feet.

B.

No off-site sign shall be permitted within any freeway landscaped area under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation.

C.

The backs of all off-site signs shall be screened, encased, or otherwise covered so that no structural members are visible to the public.

(Ord. 550 § 11, 2000; Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).