CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Planning Commission Report

December 13, 2017

To: Chair Goodhue and Planning Commissioners

From: Marc Wiener, AICP, Community Planning and Building Director

Submitted by: Catherine Tarone, Assistant Planner

Subject: Consideration of a Commercial Sign Application (SI 17-454) for the

installation of second wall-mounted business sign near the business
entrance on 5th Avenue.

Application: SI 17-454 APN: 010-135-001

Location: SW corner of 5th Ave. and San Carlos St.
Block: 56 Lot: 1
Applicant: Anne Thull Property Owner: New Summit Corporation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The applicant is proposing to install a second wall-mounted business sign at the business
entrance fronting on 5th Avenue for Anne Thull Fine Art Designs located in the Service
Commercial (SC) Zoning District.

RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Commercial Sign (SI 17-454) application.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

On February 10, 2015, staff approved a Business License application proposing the relocation of
a home furnishings store, called Anne Thull Fine Art Designs, to the existing location at the
southwest corner of San Carlos and 5th Avenue which has three total entrances, one on San
Carlos Street and two entrances on 5th Avenue.

The applicant has not had a business sign since opening in this new location. On October 23,
2017, the applicant, Anne Thull, submitted a Commercial Sign application for Anne Thull Fine
Art Designs proposing the installation of one primary wall-mounted sign next to the business
entrance along San Carlos Street as well as a second wall-mounted sign next to the business

38
SI 17-454 (Anne Thull Fine Art Designs)
December 13, 2017
Staff Report
Page 2

entrance along 5th Avenue. Staff has scheduled this application for Planning Commission review
because the Municipal Code requires Planning Commission approval for a second sign.

On November 16, 2017, staff administratively approved the application for the wall-mounted
business sign facing San Carlos Street. The approved sign is composed of 1.5-inch-thick
sandblasted wood and its dimensions are 4.5 feet wide by 1 foot high (4.5 square feet in area).
The lettering will be 2 to 3 inches in height while the maximum allowed by CMC 17.40.030 is 10
inches. The signs lettering and outline are raised and painted mossy green while the
background will be painted bark white. The text will be on two lines: Anne Thull Fine Art
Designs; Carmel Design Studio. The proposed second sign faces 5th Avenue and will be
identical in design, dimensions and color to the staff-approved sign facing San Carlos Street.

STAFF ANALYSIS:

According to CMC 17.40.020, the Commission may grant exceptions only to the number,
location and design of business signs. The following criteria must be satisfied to grant the
exception:

1. Number. Additional business signs may be permitted in unusual circumstances such as, but
not limited to, a business that has entrances on two different public rights-of-way.

2. Location. Signs shall clearly identify the business entrance. Signs shall be pedestrian-oriented.
Clutter from business signs at street frontages shall be avoided."

The applicants proposed second sign is consistent with criterion number 1 because the
business has separate entrances on both San Carlos Street and 5th Avenue. The previous
businesses in this space had two signs, including a hanging sign above the entrance facing San
Carlos Street and a wall-mounted sign facing 5th Avenue.

In regard to criterion number 2, the business sign will be located approximately 3 feet from the
operational east business entrance on the first available wall space to the right of a window
which clearly identifies the business entrance. In staffs opinion, the second sign will not create
a cluttered street frontage since the signs are located around the buildings corner from one
another and are not visible from one vantage point. Finally, the proposed sand-blasted wood
sign complies with the Municipal Codes requirement for all-natural materials as well as its
dimensional requirements.

39
SI 17-454 (Anne Thull Fine Art Designs)
December 13, 2017
Staff Report
Page 3

ALTERNATIVES: The Planning Commission has several alternatives in considering the request.
Staff has included draft conditions for the approval of the signage. The Planning Commission
may also deny approval of the applicants proposed second sign. The Planning Commission may
approve the sign with conditions such as proposing an alternate location or an alternative style
such as a hanging sign rather than a wall-mounted sign.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The application qualifies for a Class 11 Categorical Exemption from
the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15311 of
the State CEQA Guidelines. Class 11 consists of construction, or placement of minor structures
accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including
but not limited to: (a) On-premise signs.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A Photographs
Attachment B Second Sign Design and Location
Attachment C Conditions of Approval

40
Attachment A - Photographs

Secondary wall sign

East business entrance

West business entrance
to be kept closed

5th Avenue

Second Wall Sign Location facing 5th Avenue

41
Primary Wall Sign Approved by Staff Facing San Carlos Street

42
2011 photograph of previous business's wall-mounted sign viewed from 5th Avenue

2011 photograph of previous business's hanging sign viewed from San Carlos Street

43
Attachment B - Sign Design

12 .. tall x 54 .. wide x 1.5 .. thick single sided sandblasted sign (6 sq. ft)
1.5 .. radius corners
Mossy Green section is raised, bark white is recessed
background will have wood grain texture
Sign to be mounted on wooden plank above door (see elevation drawing)

.5:

ANNE THULL FINE ART DESIGNS-

555 Broadway Avenue Customer Name: Anne Thull

APPROVED BY:
Seaside, CA 93955 Company: Anne Thull Fine Art Designs
Phone: 831.632.0490
Email: sales@montereysigns.com Street: Hampton Ct, City: Carmel State: CA Zip: 93923 I I
www .montereysigns.com Phone: 415.706.2816 Fax: E-mail address: anne@ annethullfineartdesigns.com DATE

44
45
Attachment C - Conditions of Approval
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND BUILDING

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

SI 17-454
Anne Thull
Anne Thull Fine Art Designs
SW corner of 5th Avenue and San Carlos Street
Block 56; Lot 1
APN: 010-135-001

CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of a Commercial Sign Application (SI 17-454) for the installation of second wall-
mounted business sign near the business entrance on 5th Avenue.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

1. This permit authorizes the installation of one secondary sign as detailed and described
in application SI 17-454. This secondary sign shall be a single-sided, rectangular, wall-
mounted sign, to the right of the business entrance facing 5th Avenue. The secondary
sign will be composed of 1.5-inch-thick sandblasted wood and its dimensions are 4.5
feet wide by 1 foot high (4.5 square feet in area). The lettering will be 2 to 3 inches in
height while the maximum allowed by CMC 17.40.030 is 10 inches. The signs lettering
and outline will be raised and painted mossy green while the background will be
painted bark white. The text will be on two lines: Anne Thull Fine Art Designs;
Carmel Design Studio.

2. The applicant agrees, at its sole expense, to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the
City, its public officers, employees, and assigns, from any liability; and shall reimburse
the City for any expense incurred, resulting from, or in connection with any project
approvals. This includes any appeal, claim, suit, or other legal proceeding, to attack, set
aside, void, or annul any project approval. The City shall promptly notify the applicant
of any legal proceeding, and shall cooperate fully in the defense. The City may, at its
sole discretion, participate in any such legal action, but participation shall not relieve the
applicant of any obligation under this condition. Should any party bring any legal action
in connection with this project, the Superior Court of the County of Monterey,
California, shall be the situs and have jurisdiction for the resolution of all such actions by
the parties hereto.

*Acknowledgement and acceptance of conditions of approval.

46
SI 17-454 (Anne Thull Fine Art Designs)
December 13, 2017
Conditions of Approval
Page 2

________________________ ____________________ ___________

Applicant Signature Printed Name Date

Once signed, please return to the Community Planning and Building Department.

47