PC 04/24/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . d. Z-96-57/V-96-03. Bill Laube/Pleasanton Hotel Application for a variance from the Municipal Code and for a sign design review for twu banner llignll fur the Pleallantun Hutellocated at 855 Main Street. ZOning {or the property is C-C (Central-Commercial) District. Mr. Otto presented the staff report for the application for variances from the Municipal Code and Sign Design Review for a banner sign and fence-mounted sign for the Pleasanton Hotel located at 855 Main Street. The Municipal Code allows temporary banners in the Downtown for only 30 days after initial occupancy and limits the maximum height of the banners to two feet. The applicant is seeking a variance to these sections of the Code. The proposed banner sign (72" x 42") would be located between the support posts of the covered sidewalk. The applicant is requesting the banner be allowed for a maximum of eight hours per day, not to exceed four days a week. The banner would advertise the lounge entertainment. The fence-mounted sign (45" x 27") would be hung above the patio fence facing Main Street. This wood sign would advertise the patio being open and serving brunch, lunch or dinner. The applicant feels the signs are necessary to advertise his patio dining which is not visible from the street. The signs also need to be automobile-oriented due to the lack of pedestrian traffic on this end of Main Street. Staff understands the applicant's concerns and wants his business to be successful; however, staff cannot make the required findings for a variance and recommends denial of the application. Staff indicated the applicant could install one or more of the signs allowed by the recent Code amendments; however, Mr. Laube feels his sign design would be more appropriate for his business. Staff also contacted the Pleasanton Downtown Association, and they support the current Downtown sign regulations (letter was distributed to the Commission). Commissioner Wright stated he believed the revised Code language would allow a "flag" that would hang straight down that could have logos, symbols, or words. Mr. Iserson agreed. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Bill Laube represented this application. He clarified he is not installing permanent signs, they would be temporary. He thought the changes to the Municipal Code provided some flexibility, and he believes there should be a mechanism for allowing exceptions to the rule where there is justification. He does not believe putting a sign in the Pleasanton Hotel window would be the right thing to do. The windows in the lounge are too small to handle any type of sign. The other Downtown restaurants that have fences have short see-through fences, and the Pleasanton Hotel's fence is a solid six foot fence. Mr. Laube feels changing to a wrought . iron fence would negatively impact their outdoor patio wedding business. Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 April 24, 1996