The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPDMC Ch 25.58 - Xtnd Suspension - SignsCITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: APPROVAL TO EXTEND THE SUSPENSION OF CHAPTER 25.58 SIGNS, SECTIONS 25.68.090 A AND M TEMPORARY SIGNS, UNTIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013, DAY AFTER LABOR DAY TO ALLOW COMMUNITY HOME BUILDERS TEMPORARY SIGNAGE RELIEF DURING THE WEEKENDS STARTING FRIDAYS AT 3:00 P.M. AND ENDING MONDAYS AT 10:00 A.M. SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner DATE: March 14, 2013 CONTENTS: 1. Maps of Residential Developments and Sign Locations Recommendation By Minute Motion: Approve an extension to suspend Chapter 25.68 Signs, Sections 25.68.090 A and M Temporary signs, to allow home builders: • Six temporary off -site signs not located within the public right-of- way • One 5'x20' banner per street frontage • Four company flags located at the entry of each residential development. • Temporary program from March 15, 2013, through September 3, 2013, during the weekends, beginning Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and ending Mondays at 10:00 a.m. Background On May 24, 2012, the City Council approved a three-month suspension of Chapter 25.68 Signs, Sections 25.68.090 A and M Temporary signs. Sign Ordinance 25.68 prohibits any off -site signage under Section 25.68.050 M, and advertising devices under Section 25.68.050 A. Advertising devices are defined as "Any balloon, flag, pennant, propeller, oscillating, rotating, pulsating, Tight, or other contrivance except a sign used to attract attention for the purpose of promoting (either directly or indirectly), the sale of products of any person." Staff Report Community Builders Temporary Signage Program Page 2 of 3 March 14, 2013 The approved temporary program was from May 25, 2012, through September 4, 2012, during weekends beginning Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and ending Mondays at 10:00 a.m., except for the holiday weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day. On September 13, 2012, the City Council extended the temporary signage program from September 14, 2012, to December 31, 2012. A representative from D.R. Horton spoke at the meeting stating that traffic and home sales were up 30 percent from the previous year. The home builders were allowed the following: • Six temporary off -site signs not located within the public right-of-way • One 5'x20' banner per street frontage • Four company flags located at the entry of each residential development During both trial periods, four home builders participated. Staff observed the visual and aesthetic impacts on the community; made sure the home builders complied with the program; and analyzed the traffic numbers to determine the effectiveness of the program. Attached to the staff report is a map showing the location of each residential development that participated. Also, attached to the staff report are maps showing the sign locations. During the trial periods, staff received one complaint regarding the number of flags. Staff believes the number of flags and signs, and the sizes approved by the City Council were not overwhelming and were done tastefully. Each home builder was very easy to work with, and submitted their Temporary Use Permit application before they started each trial program. Also, the home builders started and ended the trial programs during the approved hours and days. Today, each home builder has indicated that traffic and sales doubled during the previous trial period. Attached to the staff report is a traffic report from D.R. Horton for two communities, Alegria at Spanish Walk and Renaissance at Ponderosa, comparing traffic numbers to last year's. D.R. Horton has stated that because of this program they are looking into purchasing the remaining 85 lots within Ponderosa and 212 lots within Spanish Walk. When the home builders initially formed their group and presented their need for additional signage, staff had concerns that other types of businesses would follow suit. During the trial periods, other businesses and industries have inquired about the possibility of receiving additional signage for advertising. By extending the program, other businesses may form groups, and craft proposals to the City Council to increase their signage programs as well. However, at this time staff has not received any formal proposals from other businesses and/or industry groups. G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word\Misc Items\CC staff report for home builders.doc CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED ✓ DENTED RECEIVED OTHER MEETING DATE /Th2't'h fy a0/3 AYES:ea iln SPi�ec;'e Ta44/ r r ihMik NOES: A/�� ABSENT: I �L�e ABSTAIN: AID VERIFIED BY: Original on File with City'Clerk's Office Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Staff Report Community Builders Temporary Signage Program Page 3 of 3 March 14, 2013 If the Community Home Builders do not follow the guidelines of the trial period, Chapter 25.64 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, Permitted Temporary Uses Section 25.64.080 Revocation, states that the Director of Community Development has the authority to revoke a temporary use permit for violations, or if found to be a nuisance or a danger to the public health and safety. Staff believes the signage did not have an adverse aesthetic effect on the community, and is recommending extension of the program from March 15, 2013 to September 3, 2013. Fiscal Analysis The number of homes sold during these trial periods has resulted from an increase in traffic. An increase in home sales does increase the amount of property tax flowing through to the City; however, there are also associated increases in the costs of providing services to the additional homes. These costs are for increased infrastructure, emergency services, and other costs associated with operating the City. These costs are anticipated as part of the build out of the City in accordance with the General Plan; therefore, there is no unexpected fiscal impact to the City as a result of this program. After the extended trial period the group will provide data showing additional traffic numbers and quantity of homes sold. Submitted By: Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Department Head: Appr I: . Wohlmuth, City Manager G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word\Misc Items\CC staff report for home builders.doc . • • • - 1Npipfe[A IMPER :L FLAGS • FLAGS • I iv K/NGSiTONjCjT W PE LINIA►I L•ACEjW IMEERlA`L�CrT�E • FLAGS • FLAGS �.. K/N.G.SITON[C;T E SIGN f�EjT NIAtPLACEEIE • TEMPORARY SIGNAGE RELIEF FOR HOMEBUILDERS K.B. HOMES • • 4 • • 1 • 1 • • e DICK KELLY DR PICASSO DR KANDINSKY WY I A. cc f .. y4.+ O' cc SIGN SIGN SIGN BANNER SIGNdB If SIGN GERAL•D;FORDJDR TEMPORARY SIGNAGE RELIEF FOR HOMEBUILDERS PONDEROSA / D.R. HORTON INFoft.1.0 w RUBENS LN SIGN WINDFLOWER'CT e FLAGS lW -PASEO. :--a • GUSTO . w r�ryv� h .., z ' +rr v1 • �� ... ._PASEO'DIVERTO -J ;1 :Li i® VIA DE LAPA7_ ,..0 r , • FLAGS IL jd CALL'E'VIE'r_�._-_`T �n SIGNAGE TEMPORARY SIGNAGE RELIEF FOR HOMEBUILDERS SPANISH WALK - D.R. HORTON livFoRmik w d1" 4 t f 1 s �. it MEd Igo GREENS OP . O O _.._O___ __MA-TUS yN.V—.—__� F et.,' 2 INS on 0.• I, 4 L ti MAT LT El.'7 RING DR 1 DESERT :_h !,. :.`t. i1�5 • N '�l . FiISQYJ ANDP(PER TEMPORARY SIGNAGE RELIEF FOR HOMEBUILDERS VILLA PORTIFINO • tf Ll SIGN & • I FLAG 2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Mark Benedetti BMC Select Build 1" VICE PRESIDENT Joe Hayes First Bank SECRETARY/TREASURER Eileen Eske Pacific Premier Bank VICE PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATES Allan Levin Allan Levin & Associates PAST PRESIDENT Mario Gonzales GHA Companies CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Gretchen Gutierrez DIRECTORS Wesley Ahlgren The Hemmingway Group Fred Bell Nobell Energy Solutions LLC Brian Benedetti B A B Contracting Andy Brakebill Coachella Valley Printing Tom DuBose Development Design & Engineering Margaret Drury Margaret Drury Construction Tommy Fowlkes Coachella Valley Water District Todd Hooks Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Dave Lippert Lippert Construction. Inc Heather Loutsenhizer Penta Building Group Bruce Maize Fidelity Title Insurance Tom Noble Noble & Company. LLC Dan Olivier Mueller/Olivier/Whittaker LLP Alan Pace Petra Geotechnical Marvin Roos MSA Consulting Inc Greg Smith Smith-Kandal Insurance/Real Est Phil Smith Sunrise Company Patrick Swarthout Imperial Irrigation District Jeff Wattenbarger Wattenbarger Construction desert valleys builders association March 13, 2013 Mr. John Wohlmuth City Manager City of Palm Desert 73510 Freed Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 RE: City Council Meeting — March 14, 2013 Agenda Item: XVI. New Business, Item G Request for Extension of Temporary Signs Dear Mr. Wohlmuth: On behalf of the Desert Valleys Builders Association (DVBA), we wish to thank you and the City of Palm Desert City Council members for their decision to provide an extension until September 3, 2013 for the use of Temporary Signs for Community Home Builders within the City of Palm Desert. The DVBA appreciates that the Council members recognized that providing this waiver extension to the current Municipal Code, allows homebuilders within the community additional opportunities to promote their new sales neighborhoods, while maintaining the cities desire for continuity of the community visual impacts. The DVBA looks forward to continuing the relationship and exchange of information with you, the City Council and staff and working towards ongoing support of the City of Palm Desert. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the DVBA direct at (760) 776-7001 and again thank you for the decision to continue the Temporary Signage Relief program to September 3, 2013. Best regards Desert Valleys Builders Association 75100 Mediterranean • Palm Desert • CA 92211 (760) 776-7001 office • (760) 776-7002 fax www.thedvba.org