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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
August 8, 2024, 5:30 P.M.
City Hall North Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue
Committee Members:
Manpreet Kaur
Bob Smith
Bruce Freeman
POSTED ON
by City Clerk's Office
City of
Bakersfield
by
1. ROLL CALL
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
b. Non -Agenda Item Public Statements
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
a. April 25, 2024 , Regular Meeting Minutes
Staff recommends adoption of minutes
4. REPORTS
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review of Sign Ordinance in Commerical Centers and Enforcement of Sign
Standards
Staff recommends receive and file the report and provide further direction
7. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
8. ADJOURNMENT
(103
BAKERSFIELD
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 8, 2024 AGENDA CATEGORY: Adoption of minutes
TO: Planning and Development Committee
FROM: Julie Drimakis, City Clerk
DATE: July 24, 2024
SUBJECT: Adoption of April 25, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes.
[Document Description]
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of minutes
BACKGROUND:
Adoption of meeting minutes
FISCAL IMPACT:
No impact on the General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
1. April 25, 2024, Regular meeting minutes
Page 2 of 20
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
April 25, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall North Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue
1. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Manpreet Kaur, Bob Smith, Bruce Freeman
Staff Present: Gary Hallen, Assistant City Manager, Christopher Boyle,
Development Services Director, Viridiana Gallardo-King, Deputy
City Attorney, Julie Drimakis, City Clerk, Greg Strakaluse, Public
Works Director
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
None
b. Non -Agenda Item Public Statements
None
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
a. Adoption of November 14, 2023, Special Meeting and February 8, 2024
Regular Meeting Minutes
Moved by: Bruce Freeman
Staff recommend adoption of minutes.
Approved
4. REPORTS
None
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None
1
Page 3 of 20
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Offsite Review Requirements Nexus of Proportionality
Review proposed changes to Municipal Code related to a referral on
offsite review requirements which is now being called the "Nexus of
Proportionality."
Public Works Director Strakaluse made staff comments and provided a
PowerPoint presentation.
Moved by: Bob Smith
Provide directions to staff on any changes recommended to the Municipal
Code related to what would trigger offsite conditions on projects within the
City and the downtown Core.
Approved
b. Downtown and Old Town Kern Parking Analysis
Moved by: Bruce Freeman
Staff recommends Committee receive and file the analysis and consider
the recommendations to assist and encourage more demand and
profitability to the parking garage for a future enterprise endeavor.
Approved
7. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
8. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
MANPREET KAUR, CHAIR
JULIE DRIMAKIS, CITY CLERK
VA
Page 4 of 20
i
BAKERSFIELD
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 8, 2024 AGENDA CATEGORY: New Business
TO: Planning and Development Committee
FROM: Phil Burns, Development Services Director
DATE: August 1, 2024
SUBJECT: Review of Sign Ordinance in Commercial Enforcement Sign Standards
Document Description
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends receive and file the report and provide further direction.
BACKGROUND:
During public statements at the May 22, 2024, City Council meeting, two individuals spoke regarding
feather banner signs.
• Bill Sandrini stated that he owns a multi -tenant shopping center at 1400 Calloway Drive (The Plaza
on Calloway). In approximately December 2023, one of his tenants was flying a feather banner when
City Code Enforcement instructed the business owner to remove the sign since it was a violation of
the ordinance. The banner was removed; however, replaced several months later and Code
Enforcement once again instructed the owner to remove it. Mr. Sandrini requested the sign
ordinance be looked at because it is written in a manner that is against small businesses in
Bakersfield and enforcement is inconsistent.
• Rocky Escobedo, owner of the Northwest Barber Shop at The Plaza on Calloway stated that
approximately 40% of his business has decreased since the feather banners were removed. Mr.
Escobedo also stated that other businesses throughout Bakersfield have feather banners flying and
there should be consistency.
Councilmembers Bob Smith requested to meet with staff and identify if there were solutions to the issues
raised. Councilmember Patty Gray requested staff meet with Mr. Sandrini and Escobedo and identify
solutions since there appears to be a double -standard and inconsistency with Code Enforcement. Vice -
Mayor made a referral to Planning & Development Committee to revisit the sign ordinance. Additionally,
the referral was to look at the current policy of enforcement being complaint -driven since that has a
perceived feeling of being a double -standard and identify alternative practices to employ enforcement in
the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
COUNCIL GOAL:
Choose an item.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A — Zone/Sign Matrix
Exhibit B - Sign Violation Examples
Page 5 of 20
400
BAKERSFIELD
THE SOUND OF vos?��ut� ier
MEMORANDUM
August 8, 2024
TO: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Manpreet Kaur, Chair
Bruce Freeman
Bob Smith
FROM: Phillip Burns, Development Services Director
SUBJECT: Review of Sign Ordinance in Commercial Centers and Enforcement of Sign standards
BACKGROUND
During public statements at the May 22, 2024, City Council meeting, two individuals spoke regarding
feather banner signs.
• Bill Sandrini stated that he owns a multi -tenant shopping center at 1400 Calloway Drive (The Plaza
on Calloway). In approximately December 2023, one of his tenants was flying a feather banner when
City Code Enforcement instructed the business owner to remove the sign since it was a violation of
the ordinance. The banner was removed; however, replaced several months later and Code
Enforcement once again instructed the owner to remove it. Mr. Sandrini requested the sign
ordinance be looked at because it is written in a manner that is against small businesses in
Bakersfield and enforcement is inconsistent.
• Rocky Escobedo, owner of the Northwest Barber Shop at The Plaza on Calloway stated that
approximately 40% of his business has decreased since the feather banners were removed. Mr.
Escobedo also stated that other businesses throughout Bakersfield have feather banners flying and
there should be consistency.
Councilmembers Bob Smith requested to meet with staff and identify if there were solutions to the issues
raised. Councilmember Patty Gray requested staff meet with Mr. Sandrini and Escobedo and identify
solutions since there appears to be a double -standard and inconsistency with Code Enforcement. Vice -
Mayor made a referral to Planning & Development Committee to revisit the sign ordinance. Additionally,
the referral was to look at the current policy of enforcement being complaint -driven since that has a
perceived feeling of being a double -standard and identify alternative practices to employ enforcement in
the future.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION
Following the City Council meeting, staff met with Councilmember Smith and discussed existing options
under the current sign ordinance. Separately, staff met with the property owner and business owner to
discuss options. In part, the issue is the design and placement of the buildings that limit the street frontage
exposure to those businesses furthest away from Calloway Drive. While there are options, feedback
provided to staff was that these options do not provide the desired outcome.
Page 6 of 20
SIGN ORDINANCE - PURPOSE
The stated purpose of the sign ordinance (Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 17.60) is to promote the
growth of the city in an orderly and attractive manner and to provide standards to safeguard life, health,
property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the type, number, area, height, quality of
materials, construction, illumination, location and maintenance of all signs and sign structures. The sign
regulations are intended to accomplish the following results (not all inclusive):
1. Promote and maintain healthy commercial centers and property values for effective identification
and communication of the nature of goods and services and avoidance of wasteful and unsightly
competition in signs.
2. Attract and direct persons to various activities and enterprises, in order to provide for public
convenience.
3. Provide a reasonable system of sign control throughout the city.
4. Encourage signs which are well designed and pleasing in appearance and to provide incentive and
latitude for variety, good design relationship and spacing.
5. Encourage a desirable urban character.
6. Enhance the economic value of the community and each area thereof through the reasonable
regulation of such things as type, number, area, height, location and illumination of signs.
7. Encourage signs which are harmonious with adjacent land uses and to encourage architectural
compatibility.
8. Reduce possible traffic and safety hazards through good signing.
SIGN ORDINANCE - STANDARDS
To achieve the intended purpose, sign standards are primarily based on zone district of the property,
location of the property (i.e., Auto Mall), or nature of development (i.e., shopping and business centers)
and include, specialized signs, exempt signs, and prohibited signs.
Zone District & Location
The sign ordinance contains a matrix identifying the types of signs permitted in each zone district and
within the Auto Mall area regardless of the zone district. For reference, The Plaza on Calloway is located
in the C-2 (Regional Commercial) zone and the matrix for that zone is included as Attachment A. This
matrix provides for the sign type, sign style, maximum number, maximum area, maximum height,
illumination options, any special location restrictions, and clarifying remarks.
Shopping and Business Centers
The comprehensive sign plan is a program that may allow developers or business owners of a
shopping/business center to request special consideration of signs that are specifically integrated into the
overall architectural style or theme for that project. Because signage can play an important role in the
overall site design in order to set it apart from other similar projects, a comprehensive sign plan can create
an effect both desired and unique that will enhance the overall environment of the development.
However, it is not the intent of this section to be used to request relief of the sign regulations in order to
circumvent any requirements or purpose of this chapter.
Specialized Signs - Special Event
Special event signs can be used as a means of publicizing events such as grand openings, carnivals,
parades, charitable events, community holiday activities, and other such events. Special event signs shall
be limited to the following provisions:
1. Signs shall be limited for each business to 60 days a calendar year. This time may be utilized in any
combination of durations; however, the number of special events shall not exceed 8 a calendar year,
Page 7 of 20
and no single event shall exceed a duration of 15 consecutive days.
Balloons and inflated devices provided they do not exceed a height of 100 feet, search lights,
beacons, pennants, flags, banners and streamers may be allowed subject to approval by the building
director.
3. Copy on a banner or balloon shall not exceed an area of 100 square feet, and may include the name,
symbol or logo of the business or sponsor, but in no event shall such name or logo exceed 1/4 of
the total permitted copy area.
4. Signs may be illuminated and contain movement upon approval.
Exempt Signs
Certain signs are exempt from the sign ordinance and only require the necessary building permits. This
includes the following (not all inclusive):
1. Business or merchant directory provided not exceeding an area of 16 square feet and height of 6
feet.
2. Directional or informational signs such as entrance/exit signs, open/closed signs, signs indicating
business hours, and similar such signs, provided they contain no commercial advertisement, and
not exceed 6 square feet in area and 6 feet in height.
3. Holiday decorations, in season, displayed for an aggregate period not to exceed 90 days per
calendar year.
4. Interior signs within a public or private structure, not intended to be seen from a public street or
adjacent properties.
S. No trespassing, solicitation, hunting, minors, and similar such signs, provided they do not exceed 4
square feet in area and 6 feet in height.
6. Official and legal notices issued by a court, or governmental agency.
7. Promotional signs by the city of Bakersfield that promote or advertise city-wide celebrations,
awards, recognition, or other events.
8. Public utility signs placed by public utilities for the safety, welfare or convenience of the public.
9. Commercial vehicle signs on licensed commercial vehicles; provided, however, that such vehicles
shall not be utilized as parked or stationary outdoor display signs.
10. Taxicab signs as authorized and approved as to size, form and contents by the city manager.
11. Advertising signs that are in or on public buses as permitted by the city council.
Prohibited Signs
The following signs are specifically prohibited except as specified in Chapter 17.60:
1. Animated, moving, revolving and rotating signs.
2. Banners, flags, pennants and balloons.
3. Bench signs.
4. Electronic message displays.
5. Flashing, blinking, and reflecting signs.
6. Outdoor advertising signs.
7. Permanent "for sale" signs.
8. Portable signs including A -frame signs.
9. Projecting signs.
10. Roof signs.
11. Signs which may interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
12. Vehicle Signs.
Page 8 of 20
CURRENT CODE ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES FOR PROHIBITED SIGNAGES
Code Enforcement sections currently address sign violations both by complaints and proactively. Sign
violations are a low priority and proactive enforcement historically has been limited to violations related
to prohibited signs and sign location restrictions. Examples of these types of sign violations are included
in Attachment B. Staff focus most of their efforts within major corridors throughout the City removing
signs primarily cheap paper/plastic signs taped, tacked, nailed or otherwise attached indiscriminately to
utility poles, traffic signs, freeway/canal fencing or staked into the ground with wire stands within the
median, landscape areas within the public right -of ways. These signs are typically off premises of the
services or events advertised.
Businesses maintaining on premises prohibited signs or signs in restricted locations on the commercial
properties are addressed reactively in response to a complaint or referral sent to Code Enforcement.
Many times, the prohibited signs are located within the city right-of-way (sidewalk, landscape areas and
medians) which is also an encroachment violation. In some locations the prohibited signs encountered
are traffic hazards. The complaint may be against a single location. Upon investigating the complaint
staff may proactively address multiple other locations within proximity for the same or similar violations.
Enforcement activities have been limited to issuance of corrections notices to the property owner
and/or business with follow-up inspections to verify compliance. Staff also provide education and
awareness through a brochure and guide them to staff with the Planning Department to assist with their
signage needs and the requirements to comply with the Municipal Code. Currently, failure to comply
following the issuance of a correction notice has resulted in additional attempts to educate and seek
compliance with additional visits from staff.
Code Enforcement has not imposed criminal action or administrative fees for these sign violations to
date.
CONCLUSIONS
City staff continues to take steps in educating business owners on the signage regulations along with
working with business owners on ways further to promote their business. There is a delicate balance
between providing adequate signage that is in harmony with our development and creating more of a
distraction that reduces desired character. Staff feels current code does provide more than adequate
signage opportunities for most center. However, a minor comprehensive sign plan for small centers and
additional time for promotional signs could be researched and brought back to this committee for further
discussion.
NEXT STEPS
Staff will take the direction of the Committee. Potential options include:
1. Direct staff to research minor comprehensive sign plan for small centers and additional time
for promotional signs to our comparable cities and bring back to committee.
2. Direct staff to research topics within the sign ordinance to our comparable cities and bring back to
committee.
3. Provide Alternate direction to Staff.
Page 9 of 20
Attachment A
4. Signs permitted in the C-2 (regional commercial) and manufacturing (M-1, M-2, M-3) zone
districts:
Page 10 of 20
Sign Type
Sign Style
Maximum
Number
Maximum
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Allowed?
Location
Restrictions
(also see Section
17.60.050)
Remarks
a. Residential
Subject to the residential sign standards pursuant to Section 17.60.060(B)(1).
Uses
b. Business ID
Wall
No limit;
Street
30 ft. Note:
Yes
Signs shall not project
a. Each business shall be entitled a
total
elevations:
Wall signs
above roofline of
minimum of 16 sq. ft. of wall signage
combined
2 sq. ft. per
may exceed
building.
per elevation.
area of all
linear foot
the height
b. Sign shall not exceed a horizontal
signage
of the
maximum if
length greater than 70% of the linear
shall not
business's
building is
business frontage.
exceed the
elevation
more than
c. If skyline building signs are
maximum
sign is
3 stories
proposed, such signs as well as all
area per
located or
per skyline
other wall signs shall be subject to
elevation.
250 sq. ft.,
sign
Section 17.60.070(F).
whichever
standards.
is less.
Non -street
elevations:
1 sq. ft. per
linear foot
of the
business's
elevation
sign is
located or
125 sq. ft.,
Page 11 of 20
Sign Type
Sign Style
Maximum
Number
Maximum
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Allowed?
Location
Restrictions
(also see Section
17.60.050)
Remarks
whichever
is less.
Pylon or monument
Pylon: 1
Pylon: 250
Pylon 35 ft.
Yes
a. Setbacks:
a. Business is limited to either pylon
per street
sq. ft.
Monument
- 25 ft. from interior
or monument signs; however if
frontage if
Monument:
8 ft.
property lines (not
center identification is provided on a
pylon;
32 sq. ft.
part of a center).
pylon then monuments are permitted.
Monument:
each.
- 0 ft. from street
b. Business or center name is limited
4 per street
rights -of -way.
to being on only 1 sign per street
frontage if
b. Minimum 50 ft.
frontage.
monument.
between signs.
c. Pylon sign that does not have a
(see
c. 100 ft. from existing
minimum clearance of 8 ft. from the
Remarks
outdoor advertising
ground to the bottom of the sign face
for
structures.
shall not exceed the maximum height
additional
and area of a monument sign.
signs)
d. If the center name incorporates
the name of an on -site business in
any form or variation, said business
shall not be allowed on other signs
per item b.
e. See Section 17.60.070(D) for pylon
sign requirements if proposed as a
freeway -oriented sign.
f. Centers with over 500 ft. of street
frontage are allowed 1 additional
monument sign, then 1 for each 200
ft. of additional frontage along that
Page 12 of 20
Location
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Illumination
Restrictions
Sign Type
Sign Style
Remarks
Number
Area
Height
Allowed?
(also see Section
17.60.050)
street.
g. Centers with over 1,000 ft. of
street frontage are allowed 1
additional pylon sign along that
street; a minimum of 300 ft. shall be
maintained between pylon signs.
Window
1 per street
8 sq. ft.
Below 2nd
Yes
Ground floor windows
Area limitation and location does not
frontage
floor or 10
only.
apply to customary noncommercial
ft.,
holiday decorations maintained
whichever
pursuant to Section 17.60.080(R).
is less.
Readerboard/Menuboard
2 per
32 sq. ft.
12 ft.
Yes
a. Shall not be
Copy limited to indicating prices,
(wall or freestanding)
business
each
portable.
merchandise, or services offered;
b. Shall not be placed
official public services provided on -
or maintained upon
premises; credit cards honored;
any sidewalk area.
directions to customers; and like
c. Minimum 1 ft.
matters. Use of streamers, pennants
between signs.
and banners are prohibited.
Shingle
1 per
6 sq. ft.
7 ft. min.
Yes
Shall be at entrance(s)
Sign shall be oriented for sidewalk
elevation
ground
utilized by public
pedestrian traffic perpendicular to the
clearance.
during business hours.
store front.
Page 13 of 20
Location
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Illumination
Restrictions
Sign Type
Sign Style
Remarks
Number
Area
Height
Allowed?
(also see Section
17.60.050)
Nameplate (wall or
1 per
2 sq. ft.
6 ft.
No
Adjacent to or on door
a. Copy shall be limited to
door)
loading
each
of loading entrance of
business/tenant name.
entrance
each tenant.
b. Sign is limited to loading entrance
only that is not the business's public
entrance.
c. Building ID
Wall
2 per
10 sq. ft.
10 ft.
Yes
Wall only
a. Illumination shall be indirect or
(multiple
building
backlit; internal lighting is prohibited.
buildings on
b. Copy shall pertain only to the
site)
name of the building to assist in
providing direction to the public,
commercial name/advertising copy is
prohibited.
c. See Section 17.60.070(F) if
building ID sign is proposed as a
skyline building sign.
d. Temporary Signs
i. Real Estate
Freestanding, wall or
1 per
32 sq. ft.
12 ft.
No
a. Shall be on
a. Copy shall pertain to advertise the
window
saleable or
premises being sold,
sale, rent or lease and not for the
leasable
rented or leased.
purpose of commercial advertising of
space
b. Shall be set back 10
a business.
ft. from all property
b. Signs shall be removed within 10
lines.
days after the sale, lease or exchange
has been completed.
Page 14 of 20
Location
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Illumination
Restrictions
Sign Type
Sign Style
Remarks
Number
Area
Height
Allowed?
(also see Section
17.60.050)
ii. Construction
Freestanding
1 per
32 sq. ft.
12 ft.
No
a. Shall be on
a. Copy limited to type of
project
premises
construction occurring on site and
facing
b. Sign shall be set
name of company including logo.
street
back 10 ft. from
b. Sign shall be removed within 10
property lines.
days after completion of project.
iii. Future
Freestanding, wall or
1 per street
32 sq. ft.
12 ft.
No
a. Shall be on
a. Copy limited to identify future use
Facility, Use or
window
frontage
premises
consistent with zoning, or future
Tenant
b. Sign shall be set
occupancy and may include
back 10 ft. from
ownership identification.
property lines.
b. Sign shall be removed upon
occupancy of building or site.
iv. Promotional
Window
Allowed on
40% of
Below 2nd
Yes
Ground floor windows
a. Copy limited to promoting
up to 3
window
floor or 10
only.
merchandise, services, sales, etc., of
building
area per
ft.,
business activity. Business
elevations
building
whichever
identification is prohibited except as
elevation
is less
permitted under (4)(b).
b. Area limitation does not include
business identification except as
permitted under (4)(b).
c. Area limitation and location does
not apply to customary
noncommercial holiday decorations
maintained pursuant to Section
17.60.080(R).
Page 15 of 20
Location
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Illumination
Restrictions
Sign Type
Sign Style
Remarks
Number
Area
Height
Allowed?
(also see Section
17.60.050)
Pole banners
4 per light
30 in. wide
Cannot
Yes
Only allowed on
a. Copy limited to promoting
pole (2 on
x 96 in. tall
extend
permanent on -site
merchandise, services, sales, etc., of
each side of
(each)
above the
light poles.
business activity. Business name/logo
pole, back-
top of the
is limited to a maximum of 25% of
to -back)
light pole.
the banner area.
Pennants/streamers
2 strands
Each strand
Cannot
No
May only be placed
Text or copy is prohibited.
cannot
extend
around the perimeter
Pennants/streamers may include
exceed a
above the
of the area approved
single or multiple colors, metallic
height of
roof of a
for outdoor sales.
hulas, and flags.
18 in.
building or
top of the
light pole.
v. Special Event
See Section 17.60.070(B).
vi.
See Section 17.60.070(C).
Noncommercial
e. Outdoor
See Section 17.60.070(E).
Advertising
(billboard)
Page 16 of 20
Banner Sign
Vehicle Monted Sign
Attachment B
Page 17 of 20
Feather Banner Sign
Page 18 of 20
A -Frame Sign
Roof, pennant, and feather banner sign
Page 19 of 20
Signs Attached to Utility poles
Page 20 of 20