The Community Development Director may, at his or her discretion, require that any sign application be reviewed by the Planning Commission prior to approval.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
A. 
All freestanding signs except special purpose signs as designated in Article 2 of this chapter, shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission through the sign request procedure. Any such review by the Planning Commission shall be scheduled within 30 days of receipt of an application.
B. 
In its review of freestanding signs, the Planning Commission shall consider the size, shape, scale and location of the proposed sign as it relates to surrounding land uses in order to ensure compatibility between signs and other structures and to reduce possible detrimental effects. The review shall include consideration of the proposed design, materials, textures, colors and method of illumination of the sign.
C. 
Planning Commission review of freestanding signs shall not be required where such signs have been approved in conjunction with Planning Commission approval of a conditional use permit or variance.
D. 
Following its review of a freestanding sign as prescribed in subsection B or C above, the Planning Commission may approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the proposed sign.
E. 
In accordance with Section 18.24.380, the Planning Commission may approve alternative sign standards in conjunction with a planned sign program.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
If, after reviewing a proposed freestanding sign, the Planning Commission should not approve the sign as submitted, or, if the applicant does not agree with the conditions of approval required by the Planning Commission, the applicant may file an appeal request within 15 days to the City Council for future consideration.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
Sign approval shall lapse and shall be void one year following the date of approval unless a building permit has been issued and construction diligently pursued toward completion.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
A. 
Signs may be authorized as part of a planned sign program even if they do not conform to all specific regulations contained elsewhere in this chapter. A planned sign program is intended to provide maximum incentive and latitude to encourage variety and good design, and to allow response to special circumstances, but shall not be used to circumvent the objectives of this chapter.
B. 
To encourage consistency of design and regulation, a planned sign program shall be required for all shopping centers and commercial complexes consisting of two or more businesses, for review and approval by the Planning Commission through the sign request procedure described in Section 18.24.350.
C. 
Review Criteria. A planned sign program may be approved only if the following findings are made:
1. 
The proposed signing is consistent with the intent of this chapter and the General Plan;
2. 
The proposed signs are consistent with each other in design and construction, taking into account sign style and shape, materials, letter style, colors and illumination;
3. 
The proposed signs are compatible with the buildings and developments they identify, taking into account materials, colors and design motif; and
4. 
Approval does not constitute a grant of special privilege or allow substantially greater overall visibility than the standard ordinance provisions allow.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)