TO: CLAREMONT ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: JULY 24, 2024
SUBJECT:
Title
SIGN REVIEW #24-S03 FOR PROPOSED REVISIONS TO EXISTING SIGNS AND SIGN PROGRAM AT THE CLAREMONT DEPOT, 200 WEST FIRST STREET - APPLICANT: CLAREMONT LEWIS MUSEUM OF ART
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SUMMARY
The applicant is requesting approval of a proposed sign program amendment allowing up to five new signs, an increase in size of the existing temporary light pole-mounted banners, and replacement of an existing multi-tenant monument sign at the site. The proposed art museum signs include:
• One modified wayfinding sign at the main entrance of the building
• A new monument sign near the front of the building
• Replacement of the existing multi-tenant monument sign adjacent to the First Street sidewalk
• Two new, internally illuminated light box containers for temporary mounted signs
• An increase in the size of the light pole-mounted banners
The proposed signage design modifies a previously approved sign program to address the new name, current budget, and current needs of the museum. The proposed signs consist of painted and perforated steel in the colors red, black, white, and blue. The sign designs are highly creative, drawing lightly on architectural details of the Depot buildings and railroad tracks, while also maintaining the branding of the museum, which focuses on mid-century and modern art. Staff finds the proposal to be innovative and fitting for the facility’s use as a museum focused on twentieth-century art, but has concerns about the practicality and historical disconnect of the lightbox containers as well as the increased size of the banners, which seem somewhat oversized for the modestly sized plaza anchored by an iconic historic structure.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Architectural and Preservation Commission:
A. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SIGN REVIEW FILE #24-S03, FOR PROPOSED REVISIONS TO EXISTING SIGNS AND SIGN PROGRAM INCLUDING UP TO FIVE NEW SIGNS, AN INCREASE IN SIZE OF THE EXISTING TEMPORARY LIGHT POLE-MOUNTED BANNERS, AND REPLACEMENT OF AN EXISTING MONUMENT SIGN AT THE CLAREMONT DEPOT, LOCATED AT 200 WEST FIRST STREET; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the reasons stated in the approval resolution.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Continue the item for additional information.
B. Approve the project with revisions to one or more of the proposed signs and/or revised Conditions of Approval.
C. Express intent to deny the proposal, specifically identifying the review criteria of Section 16.300.060.A of the Municipal Code that cannot be met and continue the item to September 11, 2024, for adoption of a denial resolution as all the necessary findings cannot be met.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Costs associated with the review of this application have been borne by the applicant.
ANALYSIS
Background
The Claremont Municipal Code (CMC) calls for all new construction, exterior modifications and site changes for properties be subject to architectural review either by the Architectural and Preservation Commission or by Planning Division staff in order to protect and enhance the livability and investment potentials of the City and ensure that changes to the built environment enhance, rather than detract from, the character and sense of place of Claremont’s unique neighborhoods.
The subject property has a General Plan land use designation of Claremont Village and zoning designation of Claremont Village (CV). The proposed art museum use is permitted within this zone and the Museum is a tenant of the City which owns the Depot and plaza. Originally constructed in 1927, the Depot building is historic and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The City completed an extensive renovation and restoration in 1992 and attempted to fill portions of the building with commercial tenants for many years. After a lack of success with previous tenant proposals, the City chose to lease the space to the Claremont Museum of Art. The museum has operated out of the Depot since 2016 and is a civic-oriented use that is appropriate for this iconic, city-owned building.
In 2016, the Museum also applied for commission review of a new sign program and sign variance for the property. At the time, the proposed signage consisted of a new freestanding monument sign located along First Street, just east of the main pedestrian walkway leading to the Depot; a new roof-mounted sign attached to the flat roof section of the Depot; and two freestanding, secondary identification signs adjacent to the north and south entrances to the Depot building.
On March 9, 2016, the Architectural Commission approved and adopted Resolution No. 2016-02 which established a sign program permitting the four aforementioned signs that combined, were not to exceed an aggregate sign area of 110 square feet. However, only the freestanding monument sign and an identification sign located at the subject sight were constructed.
Project Description
The proposed project includes the following components:
• One modified wayfinding sign at the main entry door to the Museum
• A new monument sign centered near the front of the building
• A replacement monument sign of the existing multi-tenant monument sign adjacent to the sidewalk
• Two new, internally illuminated light box containers for temporary mounted signs
• An increase in the size of the temporary standard-mounted banners
• Elimination of a large, seventy-four square foot, roof-mounted sign that was approved with the previous sign program but never constructed
Freestanding Monument Signs
Two approximately sixteen-square-foot, freestanding monument signs are proposed as part of the new sign program. One of these involves the modification of an existing monument sign which is located adjacent to the main pedestrian walkway leading to the Depot entrance. The second proposed monument sign is to be located just to the right of the North entrance facing the street, set in the landscaping. The new monument sign would replace an existing, larger, multi-tenant monument sign located adjacent to the intersection of First Street and Harvard Avenue. This existing sign has Spanish styling, is low and horizontally proportioned, divided for small multi-tenant panels, and is partially obscured from view by landscaping, low walls, and the City Holiday tree. The applicant is proposing a new horizontally oriented monument sign with styling that is more modern and creative to better reflect the use of the building as a museum of mostly-modern art while also directing pedestrians to the nearby Metrolink station.
Both monument signs are proposed to be constructed of a thick aluminum plate with waterjet perforated patterns. The modified monument sign will consist of three plates. The first two plates will read “CLAREMONT LEWIS MUSEUM OF ART” in the trademarked branded font and colors of the museum and attached to the main plate for the museum. The third plate will read “METROLINK” with a accessibility (wheelchair) icon indicating the direction of access to the Metrolink station. The sign will be externally illuminated by ground level uplighting.
Pedestrian Wayfinding Sign
One modified, approximately six-and-a-half-square-foot, freestanding monument sign, consisting of a one-inch-wide aluminum channel frame with perforated aluminum background and edges, and styling similar to the freestanding monument sign, will be placed in the ground adjacent to the main entrance to the north of the museum lobby. This sign is designed to direct visitors to the entrance of the museum. The design also includes the name of the museum. The applicant has chosen freestanding signs as opposed to a building-mounted design in order to reinforce the branding of the museum, while not requiring any alteration or physical damage to the historic structure.
Illuminated Light Box Signs
Two, internally illuminated light box display cases that, in terms of signage, are approximately twenty-square-feet. Each display case is approximately seventy-three-and-a-half cubic feet in volume. The light boxes consist of a painted steel case with clear tempered glass within which temporary mounted signs would be hung and be lit by an integrated light on photocell and timer. These signs are designed to identify the museum and mimic the display of exhibits and attractions that would be showcased inside the museum. As there are no established precedents to this kind of signage display in the Village or as signage during the 1920’s era of the building, staff does have some concern regarding the modern lines, glass and steel construction, and internal illumination of these signs. Staff also sees a potential for vandalism of the glass surfaces via paint or etching and wonders if there are alternatives to the proposed sign display method that might better comply with Village sign standards, which encourage traditional materials and external illumination.
The following table is a summary of the sign area permitted by the City sign code, the sign area established in the previously approved sign program, and the currently proposed signage being requested by the applicant.
Temporary Mounted Banners
In addition to the above-requested signage, the applicant has requested approval to increase the size of six banners on the existing light poles located in front of the Depot along First Street to 21.6 square feet each. Banners are subject to the City’s current banner policy which requires approval of new banner designs by the Architectural and Preservation Commission. The Recreation and Human Services Director, who is in charge of overseeing the City’s banner policy, communicated that the existing banners are larger than the originally permitted size and that the larger size has created issues during City-hosted events, such as the Holiday Tree Lighting, in the past. As such, Staff feels that while the design, colors, and content of the existing banners are generally appropriate for the subject location and should be approved by the Architectural and Preservation Commission, the size and timing for displaying the proposed banners should be amended and the applicant should be directed to comply with the City banner policy to allow greater compatibility with City-hosted events and potentially the general visibility for the site.
The proposed sign program meets all the sign standards for the Claremont Village District and are generally consistent with the design guidelines of the Claremont Village Design Plan as set forth in the draft approval resolution (Attachment A). The project plans are included as Attachment A and include colors and materials.
Copies of the site plan, signage plan, and architectural elevations are enclosed in the Commission packets. Reductions of the plans are attached to this report as Attachment B, and a complete set of color plans is also available for public review at the Planning Division counter at City Hall. A color and materials board, along with material samples, will be available for review during the Commission meeting.
Basis for Recommendation
The proposed project promotes creative and innovative signage for the use of the site as a museum of art. The proposed signs will utilize high-quality, long-lasting materials. Furthermore, the design of the signs, perhaps with the exception of the illuminated display boxes and larger-sized banners, is in keeping with the type of signs encouraged in the Claremont Village Design Plan and are designed to minimize physical damage, visual clutter, and visual obstruction of the historic Claremont Depot building.
The proposed orientation and placement of the signs promote better visibility for the museum use on the property without compromising vehicular or pedestrian safety. All proposed signs are appropriately located on the site to identify the business and direct customers to the building.
The signs are subtly illuminated with either indirect internal illumination in the display cases, halo style illumination, or ground-mounted external illumination. In addition, a thirty-day lighting level review will be required once the signs are installed. The applicant will be required to address any issues that are identified during the lighting level review.
CEQA REVIEW
The proposal is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15311 (a), which exempts construction of minor structures accessory to existing commercial or institutional facilities including on-premises signs. In using this determination, the Director finds that, although the Depot building is an important historical resource for the City, the proposed signs will not significantly alter or impact the building. Therefore, no further environmental review is necessary.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Copies of the submitted plans are being held at the Public Counter at City Hall for review.
As a courtesy, notice of this meeting was mailed to properties adjacent to the subject property on July 11, 2024. A copy of this report has been sent to the applicant and other interested parties.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Jordan Goose
Director of Community Development Assistant Planner
Reviewed by:
Christopher Veirs
Principal Planner
Attachments
A - Draft Resolution
B - Proposed Plans
C - Resolution No. 2016-02
D - AC Minutes 03-09-16