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16 Staff Report - Sign Replacement ProgramCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: January 8, 1998 TO: MAYOR AND TO ► 0 FROM: TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: MEETING DATE: 1/20/98 ITEM NO. j CONSIDER SIGN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD). RECOMMENDATION: 1. Open and hold the public hearing; 2. Close the public hearing. 3. Consider Sign Replacement Program for the Central Business District (CBD); and 4. Direct staff to draft a Resolution formalizing the Sign Replacement Program for adoption. PURPOSE: The purpose of a sign replacement program for the Central Business District (CBD) is to simplify and complete the overall appearance of the right-of-way. With implementation of the Streetscape Plan through planter construction, pedestrian scale light installation, and new street furniture, the downtown needs the finishing touch of a unified sign program. Signs currently posted in the CBD right-of-way are redundant, inconsistent, and not always helpful to visitors experiencing downtown Los Gatos. BACKGROUND: The Downtown Streetscape Plan was adopted in May 1996. The "Lighting and Furnishings Plan" in the Improvement Guidelines (dated 2/26/96) outlines a sign program for the downtown; recommendations in this report were derived from that program. In addition, Engineering and Planning staff surveyed the downtown before drafting the sign replacement program. Photographs were taken during the survey that will be presented in slide format at the hearing. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The steps below must be taken to simplify and reduce existing signs in the downtown: a. Reduce the amount of parking regulation signs. "Two Hour" and "30 Minute" parking space signs are posted on electroliers and individual posts. The frequency of these signs is nearly one per two on -street parking spaces. Retain signs on electroliers, remove signs on individual posts, and paint curbs where appropriate. For example, apply standard Town treatment for 30 Minute parking spaces by painting the curb white and lettering "30 Minutes" on the curb. A Memo from the Police Department concerning this matter is included as Attachment 4. PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMA14-6 N PLANNING D ►• CT Reviewed by: — Attorney Finance Revised: 1 /8/98 12:07 pm Reformatted: 10/23/95 PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: CBD Sign Replacement Program January 13, 1998 b. Remove confusing and misplaced signs. An example of a confusing sign is located on east bound Main Street near the Plaza that points to public parking. This sign points to Lot 6, but east bound motorists can not turn left into the lot due to chatter bars in the median. Also, remove standard no U-turn signs that are posted on electroliers at nearly every intersection. With Streetscape Plan improvements, such as the corner bulb -outs at Bachman Avenue, the U-turns will become impossible to complete. 2. The following replacement signs are proposed: a. Street name signs Existing street name signs are inconsistent in color, shape and letter type. Proposed street name signs would be consistent on all three counts and highlight our "Historic Downtown" as shown in Attachment 2. The proposed logo is the well known cupola from the La Canada Building. (The Farwell family has released permission to the Town for use of the cupola, but a photo ready copy of the graphic has not yet been obtained.) Street name signs will be reflective with a white background and green text. Burgundy background is recommended in the Streetscape Plan. Staff concluded that the cost and labor intensive expenses associated with a custom color are unreasonable. Also, the custom color sign plates are more difficult to replace in kind. Type will be "Monterey" style as designated by the sign manufacturer, using capital and lower case letters. This combination will be unlike any other street name signs in Town, thereby distinguishing the Downtown. Signs will be posted on street signal posts and/or stop sign posts. Locations are indicated on the Sign Location Map, Attachment 1. b. Public Parking Directional Signs One format is proposed: a round sign with the very simple and identifiable capital "P" and an arrow pointing toward the parking lot. In keeping with the street name signs, the background will be green with reflective white text. Locations are shown on Attachment 1. All existing Parking Lot signs would be removed. A directional sign is also proposed for pedestrian orientation to public parking lots (Attachment 5). These would be posted on electroliers or street name sign posts, where pedestrian connections to parking lots occur. 3. The following new signs are proposed to further distinguish and define the downtown: a. Locator Signs Erect ground signs showing "You are here" on a base map of the CBD. The signs are proposed to be located in the public parking lots and the Town Plaza (see Attachment 1). The sign face will measure approximately six square feet, stand three feet high and be set at an angle. The map will show land marks such as the Town Plaza, Post Office, Town Service Center and Civic Center; address ranges will also be shown. As part of the locator sign element, a sign with the Parking Lot Number will be posted at public parking lot entrances. b. Welcome Signs Erect three monument signs in the medians at the main entrances to downtown: S. Santa Cruz Avenue at Wood Road, eastbound Los Gatos -Saratoga Road at Tait and westbound Los Gatos -Saratoga Road before University Avenue. The signs will be a maximum three feet high as to not obstruct the traffic view area and have text on both sides; one side to read"Welcome" and one side to read "Thank you for visiting" . Sign material will be determined based upon criteria for durability, aesthetics, and low maintenance. Two alternatives are included as Attachment 3. The graphic may be a recognizable symbol for the downtown. PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: CBD Sign Replacement Program January 8, 1998 CONCLUSION: Signs in the CBD right-of-way are currently functional, yet many are inconsistently designed, confusingly located and redundantly posted. The proposed sign replacement program will serve to unify the sign designs, clarify locations, and simplify where signs are posted. Sign improvements will provide the finishing touch to the overall Downtown Streetscape Plan implementation. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of replacement signs may be calculated once the Council determines which signs should be replaced. The cost of stafftime to remove old signs may be projected once the Council approves the removal of unnecessary and superfluous signs. If the Council approves this program, it will be included in the 1998-2003 Capital Improvement Program. Attachments: 1. Proposed Downtown Sign Location Map 2. Proposed Street Name Sign 3. Proposed Welcome Signs (Two alternatives) 4. Memo from Police Department, received October 22, 1997 5. Pedestrian Oriented Parking Lot Sign Distribution: Shirley Henderson, 264 Los Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos, CA 95030 Ellen Graff, 805 Lilac Way, Los Gatos, CA 95032 Richard Lang, 809 University Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030 Randal Mackley, 205 Belgatos Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 Lee Quintana, 5 Palm Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030 Morris Trevithick, 55 Church St. #1203, Los Gatos, CA 95030 LEB:KS:TD:sm N:1DEV\CNCLRPTSIDTSIGNS.1 SM201CNCLRPTSIDTSIGNS.1 larroaa L0 ‘4i Avg c �►� chr116)11 tonv nac mno: Pit LIR 400 4 105 u Al dr Beo IT60 Moin c 0 Cato N 0 Broadwo wpm y . ~�z 200 liaM t39 ti 104 ul en 20e� QED fr) 0 co i i 104; 0 U 0 0.0. 1P Churc Ma` St 5 ks' z 0 (of R z 0 (0c Los Gatos Monte fereno TO: LEE BOWMAN PLANNING DIRECTOR FROM: LARRYJ. TODD CHIEF OF POLICE POLICE" DEPARTMENTMEMORANDUM DATE: JANUARY 8, 1998 SUBJECT: SIGN REPLACEMENT FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT I have reviewed your recommendations to Council concerning the removal of certain parking and traffic regulation signs in the Central Business District. I concur with the majority of your recommendations, but I do have some concerns. Reduce the amount of parking regulation signs (Recommendation 1 a.) While I would agree that there is no need to maintain one parking regulation sign for every two spaces, I do not concur with the removal of signs designating loading zones, red zones, or temporary parking zones. The goal of the parking program is to gain voluntary compliance with parking regulations, ensuring that all visitors to the Central Business District have an opportunity to park and conduct business. While drivers are, of course, required to park in conformance with the curb markings, the gradual fading of paint, inclement weather, and night time parking sometimes reduce the visibility of the markings. The placement of signs drawing attention to green zones, yellow zones, etc., assists motorists in complying with the regulations. I believe that painting all 30 minute zones white, with the words "30 minutes" stenciled on the curb does not conform with the Vehicle Code, nor with Town Code. For example, a white curb restricts parking to purposes of loading/unloading passengers, or the deposit of mail into an adjacent mailbox. Town Code Section 15.40.110 limits white zone parking to 10 minutes. Likewise, green, yellow, red and blue each have a special significance. Town Code conforms to the Vehicle Code; to vary from the provisions of the Vehicle Code would be both illegal and confusing to motorists. Remove confusing and misplaced signs (Recommendation lb) Section 22102 of the Vehicle Code permits U-turns at intersections in a business district unless a sign prohibiting such turn in placed at the intersection. While Streetscape Plan improvements provide for the installation of "bulb -outs", I do not concur that U-turns will be impossible to execute, but rather will merely require a series of turning and backing movements to complete the turn. Experience has taught many police officers that some people will try to make U-turns even in situations that would require difficult maneuvering. In addition, the bulb -outs will not deter motorcyclists or bicyclists from making U-turns. Unless there are regulatory signs, officers will not be able to prevent motorists from making U-turns at intersections, even if the turns impede the flow of traffic. I agree that the present signage in the Central Business District can be confusing to some. My staff and I will be pleased to work with the Planning Department to address issues concerning the placement of traffic and parking regulatory signs so that confusion is reduced. e� LarryvJ. odd Chief of Police Town Council Minutes January 20, 1998 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California HEARINGS CONTINUED SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS/INCORPORATED IN ZONING REGULATIONS/CONT. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to waive the reading of the Proposed Ordinance. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to make the finding that Zoning Ordinance Amendment A-97-003 is consistent with the General Plan. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council introduce Draft Ordinance entitled, ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN CODE TO INCORPORATE DESIGN STANDARDS AND REGULATION FORM THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE. Carried unanimously. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE/PROCEDURES & DUTIES/ORDINANCE (15.46) Mayor Lubeck stated that this was the time and place duly noted to consider amending the Town Code to better clarify the procedure for historic preservation, and the duties of the Historic Preservation Committee. Zoning Ordinance Amendment A-93-6. This matter will not have a significant impact on the environment and is therefore exempt from the requirement of the California Environmental Quality Act. Applicant: Town of Los Gatos. There was no one from the audience to address this issue. The Town Clerk read the title of the wrong ordinance and requested that Council readdress this issue. The following motions are the second set of motions regarding this item. The Town Clerk read the Title of the Proposed Ordinance. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, to waive the reading of the Proposed Ordinance. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, to make the finding that Zoning Ordinance Amendment A-93-6 is consistent with the General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council introduce Draft Ordinance entitled, ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN CODE TO BETTER CLARIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE DUTIES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE. Carried unanimously. SIGN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM/CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (16.46) Kristine Syskowski, Town Planner, presented issues and ideas concerning a Town Sign Replacement Program. Council considered the information and requested that staff continue with this study and take the following suggestions from Council discussion: * That signing be made consistent throughout Town. * That there be fewer and more consistent parking zones. * That the painted curbs, (red, blue, green, yellow and white,) have their significance and times identified in writing on the curb itself. TC:D10:MM012098 6 TC: D10: MM012098 Town Council Minutes January 20, 1998 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California SIGN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM CONT: Council comments continued: * Dark Green background with white letters seemed the easiest to read for street signs. * Welcome to Historic Downtown Los Gatos with an icon was acceptable and especially needed at the south exit by Wood Road and the bus depot. * Renumbering of the parking lots in a logical order is desirable. * All Commissions, Boards and Committees, The Downtown Streetscape Committee and the Community should be asked to review this report and offer comments. * A consensus should be arrived at by budget time so it can be included in the CIP for next year. FLOOR AREA RATIO/FAR/ON SLOPED LOTS/RESOLUTION 1998-7 (17.27) Mayor Lubeck stated that this was the time and place duly noted to consider Planning Commission recommendations to adopt a resolution amending the residential development standards to include wording about floor area ratio (FAR) on sloped lots. Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council adopt Resolution 1998-7 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR SINGLE FAMILY AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS IN ALL ZONES EXCEPT RC AND HR, Carried unanimously. PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS (18.20) Motion by Mr. Hutchins, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council confirm the terms of three Planning Commissioners as follows: Sandy Decker term to expire 1/31/02; Joe Pirzynski term to expire 1/31/02; and Paul Bruno term to expire 1/31/00. Carried unanimously. SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES (19.20) The assigned representatives and other councilmembers have conflicting schedules to be able to attend these daytime meetings. The representatives to the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission will remain as originally appointed and if they are unable to attend, Council alternates will be called and asked if they will be able to attend one of the meetings. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Linda Lubeck reported on the newly formed West Valley Cities Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority and its first organizational meeting at which the contract negotiations binders were distributed and Jillian Mirand was appointed Chair and Mrs. Lubeck was appointed Vice Chair. Randy Attaway reported on the Emergency Preparedness Committee and the suggestion of the new Director. The request had been for the Director to meet with each Councilmember seperately, one on one, instead of meeting as a single public entity. This did not seem appropriate to Mr. Attaway. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lubeck adjourned this evening's meeting at 10:33 p.m. ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove, Town Clerk 7