PC Reso 6523 MCA-2008-02
CITY OF CUPERTINO
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
RESOLUTION NO. 6523
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO
CHAPTER 17 OF THE CUPERTINO MUNICIPAL CODE ALLOWING TEMORARY
OUTDOOR SIGNS OR DISPLAYS
17.32.090 Temporary and Special Event Signs and Promotional Devices.
The Director may issue a permit for temporary special event banners, portable
freestanding signs, pennants or balloons and promotional devices in all commercial,
industrial, office or institutional districts subject to all criteria set forth in this section.
A. 1. Public Objectives:
a. Enhance pedestrian experience, activity and convenience.
b. Maintain the economic stability of the City by enhancing vitality of business.
c. Provide attractive, effective and visible identification reflecting the individual
character of the business.
2. Each business may be permitted the use of one (1) temporary special event
banner subject to the tenant schedule in subsections C or p of this section.
Each business may have the use of a temporary banner for a maximum of one
hundred twenty (120) days within a 360 day period.
3. One additional promotional device may be allowed during the first year of
operation for a new business entity for purposes of announcing the grand
opening of the business entity.
4. Each business may be permitted the use of a portable outdoor display or sign
subject to the following conditions:
a. Scope:
Portable outdoor display or sign shall include but not be limited to A-
frames flowerpots, flower carts, statues or other similar devices as deemed
appropriate by the Community Development Director.
b. Location:
Resolution No. 6523 MCA-2008-02 July 22, 2008
Page 2
Portable outdoor display or sign may be located on both private and
institutional zoned properties with the exception of public right-of-way
areas or other areas as deemed inappropriate by the Community
Development Director.
c. Time Limit:
The revocable portable outdoor display or sign permit shall be valid
unless an expiration date is included in the approval, or subject to the
revocation provisions of this chapter.
d. Design Review Criteria:
Portable freestanding signs must be appropriately designed, executed and
maintained with the following emphasis:
i. Design character.
ii. Quality of color and material (vibrant and weather resistant).
iii. Complementary to the building architecture and the operation of
the business area.
iv. Enhancement to the overall appearance and texture of the
pedestrian shopping experience.
e. Specific Standards:
i. 8 square feet maximum.
ii. 3'-0" minimum in height. �
iii. 4'-0" maximum in height.
iv. 2'-0" maximum in width.
v. 2'-0" minimum setback from the street curb (for car doors and
overhang).
vi. May not be set into the ground.
vii. May only be displayed during business hours.
viii. May only identify the name of the business, the menu offered
and/or special event.
f. General Standards:
i. Maintain a minimum 5'-0" wide pedestrian walkway.
ii. 15'-0" away from any bus stop zones or bus stop furniture.
Resolution No. 6523 MCA-2008-02 July 22,2008
Page 3
iii. 4'-0" away from any disabled parking zone.
iv. Shall not be attached to trees lampposts, utility poles, street or
traffic signs, benches, hydrants, and or mailboxes.
v. No illumination.
Other modifications may be approved, if appropriate and where there is a
special circumstance as determined by the Director of Community
Development.
g. Findings and Conditions
The Director of Community Development may approve an application
only if all of the following findings are made:
i. The proposed portable display or sign, at the proposed location
will not be injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity,
and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general
welfare, or convenience;
ii. The proposed portable display or sign shall be consistent with the
purpose of this chapter, the General Plan, any specific plan, zoning
ordinances, applicable conditional use permits or other
entitlements to use which regulate the subject property.
iii. The proposed portable display or sign shall be compatible to the
building or commercial shopping district in terms of materials,
color and design theme.
h. Revocation Process:
Any portable display or sign permits issued under the provisions of this
chapter may be revoked by the Director of Community Development for
any of the following reasons:
i. Any misrepresentation or false information contained in the
application for the permit;
ii. If the design and liability provisions specified in the permit are not
met.
iii. If the portable display or sign contradicts any of the public
objectives and/or findings outlined in this chapter.
Upon revocation of any portable display or sign permit, the Director of
Community Development shall make written findings and reasons for the
revocation and transmit them to the permittee, and a copy thereof to the
City Clerk.
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Page 4
i. Appeal Process
i. The permittee shall have the right of appeal to the Design Review
Committee.
ii. An appeal shall be in writing on forms prescribed by the City and
shall be filed during regular office hours with the City Clerk within
fourteen days after the mailing of notice of revocation decision of
the Director under this title.
iii. An appeal not filed within such time shall be barred. The appeal
shall state the grounds thereof.
iv. An appeal shall be subject to an appeal fee as prescribed by
resolution of the City Council (Ord. 1601, Exh. A(part), 1992).
v. Upon receipt of the appeal, a date of public hearing before the
Design Review Committee shall be set, which will be held within
ninety days from the date of the filing of the appeal.
5. A temporary banner shall be building mounted only, shall have only one face
not exceeding one hundred square feet in area, and shall be placed on the
building in accordance with the limitations specified in Section 17.24.080 of
this title regarding clearance and roofline level.
B. 1. Special promotional devices, such as large balloons or searchlights, may be
approved for a maximum three-day period or five days for grand openings,
four times within a calendar year, subject to the following:
a. Parking is not displaced;
b. The device is compatible with adjoining uses. Of major concern is
proximity to residential properties;
c. The device is not located in a landscaped front setback area;
d. Tethered balloons used for special promotional purposes may not exceed
a height of twenty-five feet above the building where the special event is
occurring;
e. Meets the tenant schedule in subsections C or p of this section.
2. The Director shall review a requested use of any special promotional device,
such as searchlights, hot air balloons, rides, traffic/parking directional signs
within the public right-of-way and the like, in relation to the type of activity
and the appropriateness of the activity to the surrounding neighborhood.
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Page 5
3. There is no specific limitation on the number of traffic/parking directional
signs which may be used on a site on the specific day of the special
promotional or temporary event.
4. However, the Director shall review the number and placement of signs
requested to be placed in the public right-of-way, and may restrict the
number and placement of such signs in order to ensure that adequate sight
distance and traffic safety clearances are maintained as required in Section
17.32.010.
C. A temporary sign and center-wide event signs may be permitted in accordance
with the following schedule:
Number of Tenants Number of Signs
Permitted
3 tenants to 6 tenants --1 tenant display or
1 center display
7 tenants to 13 --1 tenant display +
tenants 1 center display
14 tenants to 20 --2 tenant displays +
tenants 1 center display
21 tenants to 27 --3 tenant displays +
tenants 2 center displays
28 tenants or more --4 tenant displays +
4 center displays
D. 1. Shopping centers with approved electronic readerboard signs shall only be
allowed building mounted banners.
2. Freestanding temporary or special event signs for individual tenants are not
allowed.
3. Special event signs for center-wide special events are allowed in accordance
with the following schedule:
Resolution No. 6523 MCA-2008-02 July 22, 2008
Page 6
Number of Tenants Number of Signs
Permitted
20 to 27 tenants --2 center displays
28 tenants or more --4 center displays
E. 1. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this chapter, but
subject to any maximum duration regulations contained in this chapter, all
special event temporary signs must be completely removed not later than five
days after the conclusion of the special event to which they pertain.
2. The city, pursuant to Chapter 17.52 of this Municipal Code, may cause the
signs remaining after expiration of the appropriate five-day period to be
removed. (Ord. 1987, (part), 2006; Ord. 1926, �1 (part), 2004; Ord. 1796, (part),
1998; Ord. 1755, (part), 1997; Ord. 1624, (part), 1993)
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of July 2008, at a Regular Meeting of the
Planning Commission of the City of Cupertino by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chairperson Miller, Kaneda, Rose Brophy
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: none
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: none
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Vice Chair Giefer
ATTES APPROVED:
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Steve Piase i Mart ,�r, Chairperson
Director of Community Development Planning Commission
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