TO: ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: OCTOBER 29, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
SIGN REVIEW #25-S04 FOR PROPOSED SIGN PROGRAM AT THE COMMERCIAL CENTER LOCATED AT 721 SOUTH INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD. APPLICANT - SUSHIL CAPITAL, LLC
Body
SUMMARY
The applicant is requesting approval of a proposed sign program for building mounted signs and a two-tenant monument sign directing visitors to the primary entrance for the site. The signs will direct visitors to a newly constructed Residence Inn by Marriott hotel, as well as a second tenant that is anticipated to be a second corporate hotel on the 3.45-acre commercial center located at 701 to 721 South Indian Hill Boulevard. Because the proposed signs do not match applicable sign standards, a sign program is necessary to provide flexibility to approve the proposed designs.
The site is located within the Southwest San Jose Specific Plan (“Specific Plan”) area, which includes size and location standards for signs that allow the types of signs proposed. Some of the proposed signs are larger than allowed, while others are significantly smaller. The cumulative area is within the limits of the Specific Plan. The proposed sign sizes and locations for the Residence Inn are consistent with sample renderings that were provided during the City’s review of the hotel’s design and use permit, but more subdued as the previous signs had red acrylic faces and the new signs are grey, silver, and white. The proposed designs are consistent with the architectural style, freeway orientation, and overall design of the hotel and commercial center.
Staff finds that the proposed sign program is appropriate as set forth in Claremont Municipal Code (CMC) section 18.025.025.010 regarding sign programs, as well as the Sign Standards and Regulations contained in Section 6 of the Specific Plan. Staff also finds that the sign program meets the required findings in CMC section 18.025.120.D for the reasons stated in the approval resolution.
Further, Staff finds that the design of the proposed signs relates well to the hotel building and is capable of accommodating signs for a second hotel that is likely to be proposed if a current parcel map proposal is approved. The proposed monument sign is also large but appropriately sized to serve the motoring public seeking the entrance to the development.
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 #25-S04, FOR A PROPOSED SIGN PROGRAM FOR BUILDING MOUNTED HOTEL SIGNS AND A TWO-TENANT MONUMENT SIGN TO BE LOCATED AT 701-721 SOUTH INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Body
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 November 13, 2025 (note: this is a special meeting due to the Veteran’s Day Holiday), for adoption of a denial resolution as all necessary findings cannot be met.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
All 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 Commercial Freeway with a Specific Plan Overlay and zoning designation of Specific Plan 12 - Southwest San Jose Specific Plan. The Specific Plan area includes properties that front on San Jose Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard and back up to the Interstate 10 Freeway. Since 1968, the site has been used as a motel and restaurant. The original motel had become dilapidated and was recently demolished and replaced with the Residence Inn that is nearing completion. Located to the east, across Indian Hill Boulevard, are similarly zoned commercial freeway parcels. To the west is a multi-tenant office building and daycare center. To the north, across San Jose Boulevard, is a medium density condominium project. Single-family homes are located to the northwest in the RS 8,000 zone. The subject property is currently accessed by three driveways along San Jose Avenue and one driveway on Indian Hill Boulevard, which is shared by the adjacent gas station.
The Sign Standards and regulations for the Specific Plan are listed below in Table 1.
Table 1. Specific Plan Sign Regulations
Project Description
The proposed project includes the following components:
• Major identification signs for the south (Interstate 10) and east (Indian Hill) frontages
• One two-tenant monument sign located just west of the main (middle) vehicular entrance to the property
• The sign program includes guidance for a second hotel, which is anticipated to be developed in the future. That hotel would have similarly sized and located building mounted signs as well as a matching panel on the two-tenant monument sign.
The following table is a summary of the currently proposed signage being requested by the applicant and the sign area permitted by the Specific Plan Sign Standards.
The proposed sign program proposed to redistribute available sign area to accommodate the desired signs. The total sign area requested (180 square feet) is below the aggregate area currently allowed by the Specific Plan Sign Standards (204 square feet) and are generally consistent with the design guidelines of the Claremont Municipal Code as set forth in the draft approval resolution (Attachment A). In addition, the signs are reasonable in terms of size and location given the location and scale of the new hotel and anticipated second hotel.
Copies of the signage plan and building elevations are attached to this report as Attachment B and are also available for public review at the Planning Division counter at City Hall.
Basis for Recommendation
The proposed signs are appropriate signage for the use of the site as a freeway-oriented commercial center with one and possibly a second corporate chain hotel. The proposed signs will utilize high-quality, long-lasting materials, including individual can letters with a subdued color palette consisting of grays and white. The monument sign includes metal sign faces with pushed through acrylic letters in a similarly subdued color palette. No signs face directly towards the adjacent residential uses to the north and west.
The design of the signs is in keeping with the type of signs encouraged in the Specific Plan as well as the adjacent CF Zoning district yet also provide designs that are sensitive to the adjacent residential uses. The small number of signs (3) avoids visual clutter for the area. In addition, the proposed signs are consistent with signs shown on renderings that were provided during the City’s review of the hotel’s design and use permit but even more subdued, as the previous signs had red acrylic faces. A 30-day lighting level review will be required once the signs are installed, during which the applicant will be required to address any illumination issues that are identified during the review period.
CEQA REVIEW
This proposal is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15311 (a), which exempts construction of minor structures accessory to existing commercial or institutional facilities including on-premises signs. Therefore, no further environmental review is necessary.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a paper copy, please contact Melissa Sanabria at msanabria@claremontca.gov. 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 October 16, 2025. Copies of this staff report have been sent to the applicant and other interested parties.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Christopher Veirs
Director of Community Development City Planner
Attachments:
A - Draft Resolution
B - Proposed Sign Plans/Program