The Planning Commission on Oct. 15 voted to recommend approval of a standards modification that would allow Barrens Market to install larger wall and monument signs at a 14,000-square-foot tenant space in the Village and Barrio area.

Senior Planner Edward Valenzuela said the Village and Barrio master plan establishes sign standards that are stricter than the municipal sign ordinance for properties inside the plan area. The Barrens Market proposal requests four wall signs and two monument signs that exceed the village standards in total wall area (229 square feet proposed vs. 122 square feet allowed based on linear frontage), an increase in two wall signs to 31-inch letter height on two signs, and monument signs taller and larger than the Village standard (proposed 6 feet 7 inches and 53 square feet each vs. the village limit of 6 feet and 24 square feet).

Valenzuela said four of the six requested departures would have complied with the municipal sign ordinance if the site were outside the village plan area; the standards modification process in the Village and Barrio master plan allows deviations when decision makers find a significant public benefit.

Applicant representatives including Barrens Market president Rachel Shemerani and founder Joe Shamrani described the store as an independent grocer focused on a compact product mix and community-oriented in-store offerings; they said visibility from adjacent streets and driveways is essential to the store's retail success. The applicant requested illuminated signs to remain on until staff close procedures are complete and customers still in the store (applicant indicated staff typically lock doors at 9 p.m. and complete closing tasks through 10 p.m.).

Commissioners asked about illumination hours and vision clearance for site driveways; staff said transportation and engineering had reviewed vision clearance and conditioned signage to be turned off at the close of business (condition language can be clarified in a motion to specify a static time or "close of business"). Commissioners also debated the monument sign height: the applicant reduced its ask (the sign face itself conforms to 6 feet; the extra 7 inches is a stone base detail), but some commissioners said any increase sets an undesirable precedent inside the village plan area.

After discussion Commissioner Burrows moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Huubinger seconded. The Planning Commission vote was 6-1 in favor of the staff recommendation to advance the standards modification to the City Council; commissioners asked staff to clarify the signage condition language regarding when illumination must be turned off.