Sec. 30-642. - Site planning. — Fontana Zoning Code

Site planning shall involve careful consideration of the project site, adjacent properties and how the project fits into the overall context of the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District.

(1)

Planning area 1—Auto center.

a.

Locate structures and vehicle display areas on each site to enhance the architecture of the auto dealership building and to maximize vehicle displays.

b.

The location of structures shall take into consideration the existing and/or future location of buildings on adjoining properties. Solid block walls adjacent to the 210 Freeway right-of-way are prohibited. Solid block walls that divide adjacent auto dealerships are discouraged, unless controlled pedestrian and vehicle connections are provided for.

c.

Vehicular access and circulation within auto dealerships shall be controlled with properly sized and spaced drive aisles to ensure safe ingress and egress.

All service bays shall be located in such a manner so they are not visible from any public right-of-way, including the 210 Freeway.

e.

All dealerships shall provide attractive, direct and safe pedestrian access and circulation. There should also be convenient pedestrian connections between dealerships.

f.

Locate customer-oriented uses on the ground level of all auto dealership buildings. Business office space and other uses not dependent on customer traffic should be located on upper levels.

g.

There shall be a coordinated landscape setback for all dealerships along South Highland Avenue, Cypress Avenue, Juniper Avenue, Oleander Avenue, and any new streets constructed within the overlay district.

h.

There shall be coordinated, elevated vehicle display pads for all dealerships located along South Highland Avenue. The vehicle display pads are allowed to encroach within the landscape setback area along South Highland Avenue.

i.

Textured hardscape is required at all major driveway entrances and on vehicle display pads.

j.

On-site exterior lighting shall comply with lighting criteria, as set forth within this overlay district. Creative lighting designs and reinforcement of lighting intensity for highlighting purposes of vehicle pad displays, signage and other merchandising areas are encouraged.

k.

Vehicle loading and unloading shall be provided on-site. Access to loading and service bays should be separated from customer parking areas wherever feasible. Adequate stacking distance shall be provided on-site for car carrier trucks. Adequate stacking distance is also required on-site when the dealership is closed and gates are locked.

l.

There shall be coordinated edge treatments along the 210 Freeway right-of-way and between dealerships that enhances the visual appearance of this Gateway area into northern Fontana. Solid masonry block walls are not allowed along the Freeway right-of-way. The edge treatment shall consist of decorative pilasters connected by tubular wrought iron fencing.

m.

The intersections of Sierra Avenue/South Highland Avenue, and Citrus Avenue/South Highland Avenue shall have special corner focal point treatments with Gateway features that include theme landscaping, water features, display pads, arches and appropriate monument signage.

(2)

Planning area 2—Auto center supporting uses.

a.

Allow uses that complement and provide service to the auto center dealerships.

b.

Development proposed on the southeast side of South Highland Avenue in planning area 2 must demonstrate compatibility with adjacent and nearby Walnut Village Specific Plan residences through creative site planning, setbacks, landscaping and other design and land use considerations.

c.

Design all gas stations "reversed out" with building facilities backed up to the right-of-way setback line and the pump islands to the interior.

d.

The location of structures shall take into consideration the existing and/or future location of buildings on adjoining properties. Solid block walls between adjacent uses are discouraged and pedestrian connections are encouraged.

e.

There shall be a coordinated landscape setback for all uses along South Highland Avenue, and any new streets constructed within planning area 2.

Textured hardscape is required at all major driveway entrances.

g.

On-site exterior lighting shall comply with lighting criteria, as set forth within this overlay district.

h.

There shall be coordinated edge treatments along the 210 Freeway right-of-way between Sierra Avenue and Mango Avenue that enhances the visual appearance of this Gateway area into Northern Fontana. Solid masonry block walls are not allowed along the Freeway right-of-way.

i.

The intersections of Sierra Avenue and South Highland Avenue shall have special corner focal point treatments with Gateway features that include theme landscaping, water features, arches and appropriate monument signage.

(3)

Planning areas 3 and 4. All site planning criteria for planning areas 1 and 2 apply to planning areas 3 and 4.

Sec. 30-643. - Minimum development standards.

The minimum site development standards listed in this section shall only apply to the specific planning area within the overlay district.

(1)

Planning area 1—Auto center development standards.

Building and parking setbacks.

1.

All buildings and parking, except for vehicle display pads and allowed monument signs, shall be setback from all street property lines as follows:

Sierra Avenue: 25 Feet

Citrus Avenue: 15 Feet

South Highland Avenue: 15 Feet

Secondary Streets: 10 Feet

Collector Streets: 10 Feet

Local Streets: 10 Feet

2.

Vehicle display pads shall have no required setback and shall be allowed to encroach into the landscape setback. Adequate site distance must be demonstrated at street intersections and driveway entrances for each vehicle display pad. Display pads shall not exceed 14 inches in height as measured from the sidewalk grade.

3.

Monument signs are required to be set back a minimum of five feet from the street property line.

Building height.

1.

Buildings and other structures shall not exceed a maximum of 60 feet in height as measured from the top of curb located adjacent to the street property line to the highest building ridge.

Lot coverage.

1.

No more than 50 percent of the net lot area may be covered with buildings or other structures.

Off-street parking and circulation.

1.

Required off-street parking spaces for vehicle dealerships shall be provided at the following ratios:

Show Room: One space per 300 square feet.

Service Area: One space per 300 square feet.

Outdoor Display: One space per 2,500 square feet.

Employees: One space per employee on the maximum shift.

Note: Service department parking/stacking is counted and included as required parking spaces.

2.

Except for vehicle display pads, all parking spaces shall be a minimum of nine feet wide and 19 feet deep.

3.

Drive aisle widths are required to be 26 feet wide, unless otherwise required by the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

4.

Driveway approaches on South Highland Avenue are required to be 55 feet deep to allow for adequate stacking distance if entry gates are closed. Driveways must demonstrate adequate turning movement widths for car carrier trucks, per the City of Fontana Traffic Engineer.

Landscaping.

1.

All vehicle dealerships shall have a minimum of 15 percent landscaping of the net project site (minus the dealership building footprint). A maximum of seven percent of the required landscape area can be provided as decorative hardscape, including vehicle display pads and driveway approaches.

2.

Required setback areas shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, plants, grasses and hardscape as set forth within the overlay district landscape design guidelines plant palette.

3.

There shall be a five-foot landscape setback between abutting auto dealership display areas.

f.

Lighting.

1.

On-site lighting plans shall be submitted showing the design, intensity, layout and exact fixture mounting.

2.

Lighting plans shall be consistent with the lighting design criteria and guidelines set forth within this overlay district.

3.

Shielded fixtures that direct all lighting downward shall illuminate areas used for vehicle display.

4.

"Front row" on site dealership lighting closest to South Highland Avenue shall not exceed 20 feet in height and shall have no more than three fixtures per standard at a minimum of 30 feet on center. The interior of the display area shall be illuminated by fixtures no closer than 60 feet to the front line of display lights. These fixtures shall be on standards no higher than 28 feet, they shall be spaced no closer than 60 feet on center, and shall have no more than four fixtures per standard.

5.

Service, storage and employee parking areas shall have light standards no taller than 20 feet in height.

All lighting fixtures shall be properly shielded to prevent off-site glare. Spot fixtures shall only be downward directed, except at strategic vehicle pad displays, monument signs and other landscape locations along the project's perimeter.

7.

Strings of incandescent fixtures are not allowed in any exterior dealership area.

g.

Walls, fences and screening. Walls and fences constructed on an interior lot line, at the rear of the required landscape setback area, or along the 210 Freeway right-of-way shall comply with the development standards set forth herein.

1.

Walls shall not exceed eight feet in height, except that within the required building and parking landscaped setback, vehicle pad display areas, walls may not exceed three feet in height.

2.

All perimeter walls and fences shall be designed to be consistent with the design guidelines set forth herein.

3.

Chain link fencing and all types of barbed wire are prohibited, except that chain link fencing is allowed during construction for security purposes.

4.

The Freeway edge treatment shall consist of eight-foot tall pilasters at 30 feet on center with tubular or wrought iron fencing between pilasters. These pilasters shall be consistent with the design as set forth within the auto center design guidelines.

5.

Pilasters located within 90 feet of South Highland Avenue shall also be eight-foot tall at 30 feet on center with tubular or wrought iron fencing between pilasters. These pilasters will also be covered with flagstone that matches the monument sign flagstone required along South Highland Avenue, consistent with the design as set forth within the auto center design guidelines.

6.

Solid eight-foot tall block walls located within the interior of auto dealerships are permitted, provided they are not visible from the public rights-of-way. Security walls that are visible from public rights-of-way shall consist of solid walls limited to three feet in height with pilasters on top that are limited to five feet in height (eight feet total height) and tubular or wrought iron fencing between pilasters.

7.

All service, trash and employee parking areas shall be screened from view from all public streets by walls and approved fencing. No storage areas shall be visible from any public right-of-way, including the 210 Freeway.

8.

Roof mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened and not be visible from any public rights-of-way, including the 210 Freeway. Roof mounted equipment screening techniques shall involve an integrated architectural design element which is compatible with the architectural design of the dealership building.

9.

Solid block walls eight feet tall are required on the property line adjacent to A.B. Miller High School and Warren Ruble Middle School.

h.

Sound attenuation.

1.

All air compressor exhaust stacks shall contain noise-muffling devices.

2.

Exterior loud speakers shall not be mounted higher that ten feet above finished grade, and shall be oriented toward the interior of each dealership.

(2)

Planning area 2—Auto center supporting uses.

Building setbacks.

1.

All buildings and parking areas, except for allowed monument signs, shall be setback from all street property lines as follows:

Sierra Avenue: 25 Feet

South Highland Avenue: 20 Feet

Mango Avenue: 15 Feet

210 Freeway Right-of-way: 5 Feet

2.

Monument signs are required to be set back a minimum of five feet from the street property line, and must comply with site distance traffic standards at all street corners and driveway entrances.

b.

Building height.

1.

Buildings and other structures shall not exceed a maximum of 60 feet as measured from the top of curb located adjacent to the street property line to the highest building ridge.

c.

Lot coverage:

1.

No more than 50 percent of the net lot area may be covered with buildings or other structures.

Off-street parking and circulation.

1.

Required off-street parking spaces for retail shall be provided at the ratio set forth in Chapter 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code.

2.

All parking spaces shall be a minimum of nine feet wide and 19 feet deep.

3.

Drive aisle widths are required to be 26 feet wide unless otherwise required by the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Landscaping.

1.

All retail commercial uses shall have a minimum of 15 percent landscaping of the net project site (minus the building footprint).

2.

Required setback areas shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, plants, grasses and hardscape as set forth within the overlay district landscape design guidelines plant palette.

3.

For projects that are adjacent to the 210 Freeway right-of-way, there shall be a minimum five-foot wide landscape strip planted with trees and shrubs.

4.

Solid block walls adjacent to the 210 Freeway right-of-way are prohibited. The Freeway edge treatment shall consist of eight-foot tall pilasters at 30 feet on center with tubular or wrought iron fencing between pilasters. These pilasters shall be consistent with the design as set forth within the auto center design

guidelines.

f.

Lighting.

1.

On-site lighting plans shall be submitted showing the design, intensity, layout and exact fixture mounting. Lighting plans shall be reviewed City Staff.

2.

Lighting plans shall be consistent with the lighting design criteria and guidelines set forth within this overlay district.

3.

Shielded fixtures shall direct all lighting downward, and shall illuminate areas used for parking and driveways.

4.

All exterior areas shall have light standards no taller than 20 feet in height.

5.

All lighting fixtures shall be properly shielded to prevent off-site glare. Spot fixtures shall only be downward directed, except at strategic areas such as monument signs and other landscape locations along the project's perimeter.

6.

Strings of incandescent fixtures are not allowed in any exterior commercial area.

g.

Walls, fences and screening. Walls and fences constructed on an interior lot line, at the rear of the required landscape setback area, or along the 210 Freeway right-of-way shall be in keeping with the development standards set forth herein.

1.

Walls shall not exceed eight feet in height, except that within the required building and parking landscaped setback, walls may not exceed three feet in height.

2.

All walls shall be constructed of split face or masonry material that is compatible with the building design.

3.

Chain link fencing and all types of barbed wire are prohibited, except that chain link fencing is allowed during construction for security purposes.

4.

All service and trash enclosure areas shall be screened from view from all public streets by walls and approved fencing, wherever feasible. No storage areas shall be visible from any public right-of-way, including the 210 Freeway.

5.

Solid block walls are prohibited. Wall edge treatments shall consist of eight-foot tall pilasters at 30 feet on center with tubular or wrought iron fencing between pilasters. These pilasters shall be consistent with the design as set forth within the auto center design guidelines.

6. h.

Sound attenuation.

1.

A drive-through lane is not permitted adjacent to any parcel of land that is zoned for residential use.

(3)

Planning areas 3 and 4.

a.

All minimum site development standards listed in planning areas 1 and 2 apply to planning areas 3 and 4.

(Ord. No. 1880, § 6(Exh. A), 1-25-22; Ord. No. 1906, § 70, 10-25-22; Ord. No. 1951, § 4(Exh. A), 5-28-24)

Sec. 30-644. - Signs and site advertising regulations.

(a)

Purpose and intent. Signage and site advertising are key factors and an important aspect of the auto center project. Freeway oriented signs, dealership and other business identification signs, directional signs, banners and other types of advertising are critical to the success of the auto center. The purpose and intent of the signs and advertising regulations section of the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District are:

To promote the economic success of the Fontana Auto Center;
To set forth a coordinated signage and advertising program for the overlay district that identifies this area as a major gateway into northern Fontana;
To safeguard and enhance property values;
To protect public and private investments in property and buildings;
To preserve and enhance the appearance of Fontana as a place to live and work, and as an attraction to non-residents who come to visit, shop or recreate;
To encourage sound signing practices as an aid to businesses and for conveying information to the public;
To prevent excessive and confusing sign displays;
To reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians;
To promote public health, safety and general welfare by regulating and controlling all matters relating to signage and advertising;

(b)

Authority and requirements. The Fontana Auto Center Overlay District Sign and Advertising Standards shall be applied to those properties located within the overlay district area, in addition to the sign and advertising regulations set forth in Chapter 3 of the Fontana Municipal Code. This overlay district modifies certain regulations contained in Chapter 3 of the Code, as enumerated herein. If there is a conflict with Chapter 3, the overlay district standards shall prevail.

No sign shall be erected, re-erected, constructed, installed or altered except as provided for in these development regulations, and/or Chapters 3 and 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code. A sign permit must be obtained from the Building and Safety Division prior to the construction or installation of all permanent and temporary signs within the overlay district.

No sign shall be erected or used for business purposes of any kind, except such signs that are located on the place of business, and used solely for the naming, designating, or identifying that specific business, enterprise, product or services available on and within the premises.

The Fontana Auto Center Overlay District is designated, and shall be considered a "commercial complex." All applications for approval of signs shall be submitted to the City in the form of a design review sign application. The sign application shall outline and present the type, size, height, composition, location, color and design of all signs, banners and other types of exterior advertising to be constructed or installed. No sign, banners or other advertising shall be installed unless it conforms to an approved design review sign permit.

(c)

Permitted signs. All permitted signs shall file an application for, and obtain an approved design review sign permit. A sign permit must be obtained from the Building and Safety Division prior to the construction or installation of any permitted permanent and temporary signs within the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District.

(1)

Planning area 1—Auto center signage standards.

a.

Auto center identification sign. The overall freestanding auto center identification sign with an electronic message board is allowed within the overlay district. This sign is allowed subject to the approval of a conditional use permit. This identification sign's location, size, height, design, composition, message board size, copy, area of copy, colors and materials shall be part of the conditional use permit application. At a minimum, the auto center identification sign shall identify the "Fontana Auto Center" and the "Fontana Promenade," and shall include an electronic message board.

Auto center gateway signs. One monument sign located at the northeast corner of South Highland and Citrus Avenue up to 30 feet tall that identifies the individual auto dealership name brand or their logo/symbol, per the design guidelines set forth in the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District. The maximum size of the dealership's combined name and logo on these monument signs is 36 square feet.

1.

Temporary auto center gateway signs may be permitted prior to the construction of the permanent auto center gateway sign(s) as described above; one temporary sign shall be permitted at the end of the auto center on Citrus Avenue.

i.

The temporary auto center gateway sign shall be removed, prior to the issuance of a building permit for the permanent sign.

ii.

The sign permitted in the above provision shall provide direction and identification only to dealerships located in the auto center overlay district.

iii.

Each individual auto dealership's name brand and/or their logo/symbol may be located on each temporary sign.

iv.

The size of the temporary auto center gateway sign shall not exceed ten feet in height and the width shall not be more than four feet.

v.

The temporary sign shall be designed, constructed and installed to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development as a design review sign on forms provided by the Planning Division.

c.

Building mounted signs. One wall sign is allowed per elevation fronting a parking lot or street that identifies the dealership's brand name and the dealership's logo or symbol. The maximum size of the signs and/or logo that fronts the 210 Freeway or South Highland Avenue is 400 square feet, provided the 400 square foot requirement for elevations facing South Highland Avenue is not exceeded, a secondary wall sign may be permitted provided it identifies only the ownership name or city. The maximum size of the signs and/or logo on any other elevation is limited to a total of 250 square feet. The maximum height is 40 feet on the building.

d.

Monument signs. One monument sign is allowed for each 200 linear feet of frontage that identifies the dealership's name and their logo or symbol. The maximum height is 12 feet above finished grade. The maximum size of the monument sign is 36 square feet, excluding the required design theme base. This monument sign is required to be set back a minimum of five feet from the street property line and must comply with site distance traffic standards. The design of the base of all monument signs must comply with the coordinated design theme set forth in the following design guidelines for the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District.

e.

Pylon signs. One main brand pylon sign shall be allowed for each dealership. Each dealer will be allowed to choose one of the following height and location requirements: a) a pylon sign not to exceed 30 feet in height with a maximum 100 square feet sign face abutting the I-210 Freeway; b) a pylon sign not to exceed 40 feet in height with a maximum 144 square feet sign face abutting the south edge of the freeway frontage road (old Highland Avenue); c) a pylon sign not to exceed 50 feet in height with a maximum 225 square feet sign face located a minimum 75 feet from the 1-210 freeway. Note that the 50-foot pylon sign is meant to be located adjacent to the rear of the main building and is in no case allowed between the main building and South Highland Avenue.

f.

Service department directional signs. Up to three wall mounted directional signs indicating service department entrance and exit lanes or other additional services, such as oil change or quick lube are allowed above the entrance of the service department. The maximum letter height of each sign shall not exceed two feet or exceed 34 square feet in area.

g.

On-site signs. On-site signs that identify the service and parts departments, and auto display area signs that identify specific types of vehicles. The maximum size of each on-site sign is 16 square feet.

h.

Vehicle display pad signs. One dealership vehicle brand logo or symbol is allowed on the front of the vehicle display pad. Each display pad at prominent corners shall also have a city designed and approved sign that states "Fontana Auto Center." The maximum size of the vehicle logo/symbol is five square feet.

Window signs. Window signs provided that not more than 25 percent of the window area is obscured.

j.

Directional signs. Directional signs for customer parking, service entrance and auto carrier trucks are allowed in required setback areas, subject to City approval. The size, location, height, design, color and materials of each proposed directional sign is subject to approval as a part of the design review sign permit process. The maximum size of each on-site sign is 15 square feet.

k.

Temporary signs. One temporary sign can also be allowed to acknowledge future dealership locations. "Future home of" signs are required to be removed prior to the issuance of the certificate of use and occupancy. Temporary for sale or lease signs are allowed.

l.

Banners. Banners attached to on-site light standards are allowed. Light standard banners shall not add any height above the light fixtures, and are limited to five square feet in size. Banners attached to the main dealership building, interior walls or trees are not allowed.

(2)

Planning area 2—Auto center supporting uses.

a.

Freeway pylon sign. Sign area shall be calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of all letters, logo, or other display within a single continuous perimeter composed of square or rectangles with no more than eight lines.

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1.

The freeway pylon sign requires a design review by the Planning Commission that may be approved, conditionally approved, or denied, as provided in Chapter 30, subject to the following requirements:

i.

Incorporate the logo and/or project identity of the center as well as the City of Fontana logo and name.

ii.

Be double faced and sited perpendicular to the I-210 Freeway.

iii.

Only businesses and/or tenants within the shopping center shall be allowed on the freeway pylon sign.

iv.

The freeway pylon sign can incorporate up to six tenant names.

v.

Maximum tenant letter height shall be six feet for a single-line copy sign and a maximum height of seven feet for a double-line copy sign. Channel letters are required.

vi.

Maximum freeway sign height shall be 60 feet from finished grade. An additional five-foot height increase may be approved by the Planning Commission if the sign incorporates the city name at the top of the sign.

vii.

Maximum sign area shall be 250 square feet per sign face.

viii.

Colors on the sign and structural members should be harmonious with one another and relate to the dominant colors of the other structures on the site.

b.

For all other signs within Planning Area 2, the standards, regulations and control of the location, size, type and number two shall be governed by the provisions of the sign criteria set forth in Chapter 3 and design review criteria in Chapter 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code.

(3)

Planning area 3—Auto center and supporting uses.

a.

The standards, regulations and control of the location, size, type and number of signs located within planning area 3 shall be governed by the provisions set forth in Section 30-644(c), and by the sign criteria set forth in Chapter 3 and design review criteria in Chapter 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code.

(4)

Planning area 4—Auto center and complimentary uses.

a.

The standards, regulations and control of the location, size, type and number of signs located within planning area 4 shall be governed by the provisions set forth in Section 30-644(c), and by the sign criteria set forth in Chapter 3 and design review criteria in Chapter 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code.

(d)

Prohibited signs. The following types of signs are expressly prohibited within the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District:

(1)

Roof signs.

(2)

Flashing signs.

(3)

Projecting signs.

(4)

Portable signs.

(5)

Revolving signs.

(6)

Painted signs.

(7)

Animated signs, except for the City's overall freeway identification sign.

(8)

Strings of flags or banners between light fixtures, trees or buildings.

(9)

Banners that add height to light standards.

(e)

Signs not subject to the design review sign permit process. The following types of signs do not require permits from the City:

(1)

The changing of advertising copy or messages on electronic message boards.

(2)

Window signs that do not obscure over 25 percent of the total window area.

(3)

Real estate signs, City traffic control signs and City directional signs.

(4)

Non-advertising signs of utility companies on equipment cabinets and meters.