CCMIN091796 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Tarver referred to the photographs presented of other shopping centers and asked if there were multiple signs for those locations and what were the size of the signs? Mr. Swift described the signs at the various locations. He also described the evolution of the monument signs with three names on them. Jack Hovingh, 4250 Muirwood Drive, expressed concern with the number of signs in Pleasanton and cited examples of stores that may come forward with requests for more signage. The Farmers Market does amazingly well with no signs at all. He felt one sign on Santa Rita Road should be adequate for the Safeway Shopping Center and urged Council to reject the appeal. Mr. Smith provided a copy of the site plan to demonstrate the location of driveways and discussed turning movements to get into the parking lot. Mr. Pico asked if Mr. Smith had a choice between one twelve-foot sign on Santa Rita and two eight-foot signs, which would he choose. Mr. Smith did not think an eight-foot sign was adequate for Santa Rita Road. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. Ms. Dennis felt other stores would request additional signs if this variance were granted. The only sign she could support would be a low directional sign to indicated the location of the driveway. That should be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Ms. Michelotti thought that because of the tree cover and the reorienting of the Safeway store that there is valid reasoning to have some additional signage. Because of the findings set forth in the staff report, there is a difference from other shopping centers and she agreed with Ms. Dennis that the sign should be reviewed by the Planning Commission. However, she felt there needed to be identification of Safeway and Walgreens on the smaller sign on Valley. Just saying "entrance" was not sufficient. The only way she could support the variance was because there was a clear understanding that there were differences in this shopping center than others. Ms. Dennis did not think there were substantial differences and reiterated her desire to have Planning Commission input. Mr. Pico felt the Safeway building is very visible from Santa Rita Road and did not think the existing trees obscured the store. The shopping center that includes Gene's Fine Foods is similar; there is a service station on the comer and mature trees in the parking lot and he predicted there would be an application from them for additional signage. He was opposed to a twelve-foot sign on Valley Avenue. He would consider a smaller sign on Valley if the Santa 09/17/96 -14-