Staff Report NUMUPREPARED BY: SHELAYNE HAMMACK
Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
N:\SHARE\COUNCIL REPORTS\2016\09-20-16\11 NUMU\Staff Report FINAL.docx
MEETING DATE: 09/20/16
ITEM NO: 11
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE NEW MUSEUM LOS GATOS PROPOSAL TO INSTALL
PERMANENT SIGNAGE TO THE EXTERIOR WING WALL OF 106 E. MAIN
STREET FACING THE CIVIC CENTER LAWN.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the New Museum Los Gatos proposal to install permanent signage to the exterior wing wall
of 106 E. Main Street facing the Civic Center Lawn.
BACKGROUND:
On July 1, 2013, the Town of Los Gatos entered into a lease agreement with the Los Gatos Museum
Association (NUMU) for the re-use of the former library facility located at 106 E. Main Street. The
lease agreement sets forth requirements for the Town Council to review and approve the placement,
construction, or maintenance of signs affixed to the buildings or to the exterior premises, and requires
each lessee to submit an application to the Community Development Department and pay all costs
associated with any application process required to obtain approval for any signs. Following
structural and tenant improvements to the facilities, NUMU celebrated their grand opening on May
28, 2015. At its December 1, 2015 meeting, Town Council approved NUMU’s first proposal for
signage facing the interior of Civic Center.
The Civic Center Master Plan adopted by the Council in 2007 does not include sign or wayfinding
guidelines. The evaluation of the NUMU signage proposal is based on the context of the existing
signage for Town Hall offices, the Town Code, the Commercial Design Guidelines, and other
existing policies.
DISCUSSION:
NUMU has submitted an application for a sign permit to affix permanent signage to the exterior wing
wall of 106 E. Main Street. The proposal is brushed aluminum letters in an Aviano Sans font to be
affixed flat to the wall of the upper concrete portion of the exterior wing of 106 E. Main Street facing
the Civic Center Lawn. The proposed
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NEW MUSEUM LOS GATOS (NUMU) PERMANENT SIGNAGE
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
DISCUSSION (cont’d):
signage submitted by NUMU measures approximately 7.5 inches high by 152 inches long and names
the entity occupying the premises (Attachment 1). These dimensions meet the Town’s sign
regulations.
The proposed signage is compatible with the existing font design, color, and location of similar signs
located on the buildings within the Civic Center. For the Council’s reference, the tall letter for the
Police and Town Hall signage facing the Plaza are eight inches high. Additionally, the length of the
Town Hall sign is approximately 55 inches wide and the Police sign is approximately 33 inches wide.
Staff recommends that the Town Council approve this exterior facing sign.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the permanent New Museum Los Gatos signage for installation on the
exterior wing wall of 106 E. Main Street facing the Civic Center Lawn.
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatively, the Council could choose the following:
a) Approve the concept and location of the sign, but suggest an alternative design.
b) Approve the proposed sign, but suggest an alternative location.
c) Do not approve the proposed NUMU sign and location.
d) Provide other direction.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated between the Town Manager’s Office and Community Development
Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the recommendations are approved, NUMU will be responsible for costs associated with the
fabrication and installation of the signage.
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NEW MUSEUM LOS GATOS (NUMU) PERMANENT SIGNAGE
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is a project as defined under CEQA but is Categorically Exempt (Section 15301: Existing
Facilities). A Notice of Exemption will not be filed.
Attachments:
1. Proposed exterior wing signage