16 Staff Report - Consider Sign Replacement ProgramDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
January 8, 1998
MMET1NG DATE: U20/98
ITEM NO. V.p
CONSIDER SIGN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
(CBD).
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Consider Sign Replacement Program for the Central Business District (CBD); and
2. 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 Fniahing 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:
I. 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. BOWMAN
Reviewed by:
PLANNING D
Reformatted 10/23'95
Attorney
CT*•
Finance Revised: 1/8/98 12:07 pm
ATTACHMENT 10
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: CBD Sign Replacement Program
January 26, 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 white with reflective
green 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 ofreplacement signs may be calculated once the Council determines which signs should be replaced. The cost of
staff time 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 Graf, 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
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LIST IN BOOK
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PUBLISH IF REQUIRED - Date of Publication
ORDINANCES ONLY
WHEN SIGNATURE AND /s/ COPY (1 EACH) returned,
LIST ON SIGNATURE TRACKING & SEND TO MAYOR
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MAIL TO DISTRIBUTION LIST
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NO.of COPIES: ?
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OF. :E OF THE TOWN CLERK
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
ORIGINATING DEFT:
COUNCIL AGENDA DATE:
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM:
SUBJECT:
Number:
Date of Adopt:
•
• 2o.98
I0
RESOLUTION
1619? — L7
1-1- •a20 • 9E
PUBLICATION REQUIREDt
COUNCIL ACTION:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
aeL
COUNCIL MEMBERS NAMES:
PA-Zr. 41--Y-vA
Number.
Date of Intro:
Date of Adopt:
ZONE CHANGE:
Randy Attaway, Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton, Jan Hutchins,
Mayor(or Chairman) LINDA LUBECK
ORDINANCE
ORDINANCES and RESOLUTIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO TOWN CLERK
BY WEDNESDAY AT 12 NOON.
ORDINANCES MUST BE READY FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
TC: D7: RES40RD
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RESOLUTION 1998 - 47
RESOLUTION OF
ADOPTING T HE TOWNTHE TOWN COUNCIL
SIGN REPLACEMENT
CETHE CENTRAL LOS GATOS
ENT PROGRAM
ROG BUSINESS DISTRICT
IN THE RIGHT-OF-FWA
SIGNS LOCATED
AY
WHEREAS, the Town Council
District Improvement and Redevelo
the Guidelines ' Guidelines and Pment Agent
involves Streetsca Agency adopted the Central
creating a Si Pe Planin Manager
WHEREAS, the Los Gatosgn Replacement program; and May 1996 and implementing
referred this item to Council/ Redevelopment
W staff in August Ainent Ag
ency and Town
considered SAS' staff serve
d the r surveyed the existing Downtown signs, took slides and
developing Business District Improvement Guidelines
Council on January
staff presented the DraftProgram; and
anuary 20, 1998 Sign Re
Chamber of and Council re Placement Pro
CommerceQuested staff gram to Town
WHEREAS, andall pertinent Town Committee gram sand Commissions;during and
Preservation Co 8 staff
Chamber of Committee, presented the
Commerce , Arts Commission, Communign ty Replacement Program
Beautification' parking Commission,
Co mission, Planning Commission,
Services
Committee, Redevelopment mmission, Do Commission,
and Pment Advisory Co Downtown
Committee and Chamber of C
W
AS, during March 1998Commerce;
Program and made r staff re-evaluated
revisions b e evaluated the
with two graphic designers based on the input of all Draft Sign Replacement
gners on creating groups mentioned
WHEREAS, g an icon for the above, and worked
of signs in the downtown the focus of the Sign Program
name signs; and
WHEREAS, downtown; and is to simplify and reduce the
Town Council number
Program agree that the and alI
Right -
of -Way. downtown groups presented with the Sign Re
gram for Placement
Signs located in the Right_
Town Council Minutes April 20, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
HEARINGS CONTINUED
HERNANDEZ AVE 55/DESIGNATE LANDMARK HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY/CONT.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Hutchins, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council uphold the Planning
Commission's decision to initiate proceedings to designate the site as a Landmark Historic
Preservation Overlay Zone with the understanding that the appellant will have ample opportunity
to present his case before a designation is actually enacted. Carried unanimously.
SIGN REPLACEMENT CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT/RESOLUTION 1998-47 (10.47)
Rick Tharp and Patrick Keller, 50 University Ave., presented plan for signage downtown. The
crown logo for downtown signage to be discussed and refined during further discussion. Mr.
Tharp presented some designs for consideration. The posts for the signs should be considered
for beautification also.
Council comments: New street name signs to go throughout the town so you can readily identify
Los Gatos by its signs; Consider pipes other than galvanized; Each Historic District could have
its own identification on the crown element; The incorporated date, the cats and :Gem of the
Foothills" can be considered as elements of the design. Mr. Tharp should return with figures
on the cost of other than galvanized pipe and submit an estimate along with sign company
estimates.
Motion by Mr. Hutchins, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council adopt Resolution 1998-47
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ADOPTING THE CENTRAL
BUSINESS DISTRICT SIGN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR SIGNS LOCATED IN THE
RIGHT-OF-WAY, with additional consideration concerning poles and crown logo. Carried
unanimously.
RENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM/RESOLUTION 1998-48 (27.19)
RENTAL AND OTHER TENANT -LANDLORD DISPUTES/ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION
The Town Clerk read the Title of the Proposed Ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, to waive the reading of the Proposed
Ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council introduce Proposed Ordinance
entitled, ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE LOS GATOS
TOWN CODE ARTICLE VIII. RENTAL AND OTHER TENANT/LANDLORD DISPUTES
(SECTIONS 14.80.045, 14.80.010 & 14.80.315). Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Blanton,that Council adopt Resolution 1998-48
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ADOPTING REVISED RENTAL
DISPUTE RESOLUTION REGULATIONS AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION 1989-210.
Carried unanimously.
TC: D10: MM042098
9