12-18-2014 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
PLANNING-COMMISSION
MINUTES • DECEMBER 18, 2014
Council Chambers Regular Meeting 6:30 PM
Grand Terrace Civic Center• 22765 Barton Road
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Comstock convened the Meeting of the Planning Commission and Site and
Architectural Review.Board at 6:32 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Cesena.
Attendee Name Status. :Arrived
Tom Comstock Chairman Present
Ryan Stephens Vice-Chairman Present
JeffreyAllen Commissioner Present
Tara Cesena Commissioner Present
Edward A. Giroux Commissioner Present
Sandra Molina. Community Development Director Present
Jessica Lambarena Secretary Present
Pat Jacquez-Nares City Clerk Present
Elena Q. Gerli Deputy City Attorney Present
PRESENTATION -NONE
PUBLIC ADDRESS'
Community Development Director Molina introduced the new Community Development
Secretary Jessica Lambarena and Deputy City Attorney Elena-Q. Gerli.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes_Regular Meeting,- 11/06/2014
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER; . .Jeffrey Allen,Commissioner
SECONDER: Ryan-Stephens;Vice-Chairman
AYES: Comstock, Stephens, Cesena, Allen,,Giroux
B. ACTION ITEMS - NONE
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
D. WORKSHOP
Workshop on Grand Terrace Zoning Code Chapter 18.80 Signs
City of Grand Terrace -Page 1
Minutes Grand Terrace'Planning.Commission December 18, 2014
Community Development Director' Molina provided a, staff report and PowerPoint
Presentation for this item.
Deputy City Attorney Gerli also provided additional information on this item.
Commissioner Allen stated painted signs should be prohibited
Chairman Comstock stated if signs are painted but professionally done that would be
acceptable.
Director Molina.commented on the'issue with painted signs is the workmanship.
Commissioner Giroux stated prohibiting-painted signs would limit the type of companies.
that would come into the City.
Deputy City Attorney Gerli, stated temporary signs' may,be painted, animated signs we.
'tend to avoid because they distract drivers. Deputy. City Attorney Gerli also stated
temporary signs cannot exceed one hundred and twenty days'and there is a thirty day
extension option, as proposed.
Chairmen Comstock agreed with the current temporary sign timeline
Commissioner Giroux asked what was procedures or research they have to show
animated signs can.be dangerous.
Deputy City Attorney Elena stated she could pull up the research showing such
dangers.
Vice Chairman Stephens stated most cities prohibit business animated signs.
Deputy City Attorney Gerli, she stated that most cities do, but it is the City's preference.
Chairman Comstock stated permanent signs .should not be, painted, with regards to.
what the City is trying to accomplish.
Chairman Comstock stated animated sign regulations should be written into sign code..
Commissioner Giroux stated. not allowing businesses'to advertise the way they would.
prefer does not give.business the opportunity to advertise effectively. ,
Commissioner Cesena mentioned she found the definitions very, :helpful that were
included in the draft.
Chairman Comstock suggested .that with regard to business owners with numerous
citations, the City should look into forgiving the citations.
City of Grand,Terrace Page 2
Minutes Grand Terrace Planning.Com mission December 18, 2014
Community Development Director Molina stated the code 'enforcement citations were
-not information that could be disclosed publicly. She stated there is an appeal process
with.required deadlines.
Chairman Comstock stated there should be a fair and level playing field and the City
should also follow the Sign Code regulations.
PUBLIC COMMENT,
Jennifer and Fahim Tanios
Grand Terrace business owners
Both speakers opposed. the Sign Code and expressed tl)eir concerns with the negative
effects it will have on the business.
Ms. Tanios stated their business is a franchise and it is required to be in compliance
with the corporate standard marketing signs that,are not, in compliance with the City,'s
Sign Code.
Mr. Tanios; would like the Commission to consider increasing the window sign visibility
that is currently at twenty.five percent. Mr. Tanios, stated within the. last six'months he.
has had Code Enforcement issues .because of the signs that they've placed on his
windows or banners required by the Shell Corporate office.
Anne-Marie Gross .
Grand Terrace business.owner
Ms. Gross opposed the Sign Code and voiced concerns with the Chillz-window signage,
and it's non-compliance with the city codes.
Ali Yasin
Grand Terrace business owner
Mr. Yasin' opposes the sign code and, would like the Planning Commissioner's
assistance in-producing more of a business,friendly Sign Code ordinance.
Jeffrey McConnell
Grand Terrace resident
Mr. McConnell requested the resolution with the BIA signs be revisited by Council'.
Jennifer and Fahim Tanios
Grand.Terrace business owners
Speakers Jennifer and Fahim Tanios approached the ,podium 'for a second time,
addressing further concerns to the Planning Commission.
City of Grand Terrace Page 3
Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission, December 18, 2014
Commissioner Cesefia asked Mr. Tanios if there are repercussions if they did not
-comply and.asked if the signs could be smaller.
Mr. Tanios stated if they did not comply with the signage requirements required by the
corporate owners of their franchise the corporation proceeds to reprimand them
verbally.
Vice Chairman Stephens explained he has worked with many franchise owners through
his personally owned business and the corporation does require certain signage criteria
be displayed. He indicated .that the franchise will provide signs in compliance with sign
codes. He further stated the signage exposure is only a portion of a business marketing
tools. He told Mr. Tanios that the new Sign Code would allow business owners to do
Plot more within the regulations.
E. DISCUSSION ITEMS - NONE
F. INFORMATION TO COMMISSION ERS=NONE
G. INFORMATION FROM COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Comstock requested that the City should look into forgiving business owners
with numerous signage violations.
Community Development Director Molina stated forgiving citations was not.information
that could' be disclosed publicly: She stated there is an appeal process along with
required deadlines.
ADJOURN
Chairman Comstock wised everyone a'Merry Christmas!
Chairman Comstock adjourned.the Planning Commission meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Adjourn to the next scheduled meeting of the Site. and Architectural Review
Board/Planning Commission to be held on January 15, 2015 at 6:30-p.m.
S947-
Cha' irman—of'the Grand errace Planning Sandra Molina, Community Development
Commission Director
City of Grand Terrace Page 4