Downtown board approves second freestanding sign for Tejon Street restaurant

The Downtown Review Board voted unanimously Sept. 2 to approve a sign warrant allowing Latin Social, a new restaurant at 316 North Tejon Street, to install a second freestanding sign where the form‑based code generally permits one per site. The board approved the warrant after staff and the applicant detailed why the site’s layout and separate entrances justify an additional freestanding sign.

Board approval came after the city’s sign program administrator explained why the application had required review. Staff found the proposal met the form‑based code’s approval criteria and the downtown master plan goals, and one nearby business group supported the request.

The applicant, represented by Ethan Shaffer and Scott Shuster of Echo Architecture, said the building at 316 N. Tejon — currently occupied by Sushi Row and the proposed Latin Social — sits well back from the pedestrian way and uses circulation and retaining‑wall elements that make wall‑mounted signage insufficient for clear identification.…