Ojai commission approves hanging sign for Ojai Mountain Farm over commissioners' color concerns

The City of Ojai Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 14 approved a sign permit for Ojai Mountain Farm, a new restaurant in the Ojai Arcade, voting 3-2 to permit a two-sided, wood hanging sign as submitted and to ask staff to place review of the city—s color palette on a future agenda.

Staff told the commission the application (Sign Permit 25-007) complies with the arcade—design guidelines for the landmarked arcade (Landmark No. 5) and recommended approval. The proposed projecting (hanging) sign is wood, 15 inches high by 30 inches wide, with a 1 3/4-inch thick wooden sign body, raised painted logos and a dark-stained plywood backing. Staff said the projecting sign meets the arcade rules for materials and size and is to be suspended by metal chains with the bottom of the sign 96 inches above the arcade floor. The arcade guidelines state projecting signs may be no larger than 15 by 48 inches and that total combined sign area for a tenant not exceed 10 square feet.

Peter Godinez of Vogue Signs, who spoke for the applicant, said the design team tried to follow the arcade guidelines and the restaurant—owner—s branding. "We did a good job of listening and putting something together that I think the City of Ojai would be very proud of," Godinez told the commission.

Members of the commission raised concerns about color compatibility. Several commissioners said the sign——s yellow and orange appeared brighter than most of the muted, earth-toned palette the arcade guidelines cite; commissioners noted the palette is advisory in parts of the guidelines (the packet language uses "should" in some places). Staff responded that the packet includes the palette for reference and that changes to the official palette would require a separate process.

After discussion the commission considered two motions. One motion, to require the applicant to return with revised color options drawn from the city palette, failed by a 3-2 vote (McCatton: no; Sims: yes; Akins: no; Pesasha: no; Walker: yes). A second motion to approve the sign as submitted and to request that staff place a review of the city color palette on a future HPC agenda passed 3-2 (McCatton: yes; Sims: no; Akins: yes; Pesasha: yes; Walker: no). Following the vote staff told the applicant the permit had been approved and to coordinate next steps with city staff.

Commissioners and staff also discussed code compliance in the arcade: staff said compliance is currently complaint-driven but that staff is reviewing broader options and would bring recommendations to the commission or council if policy changes are proposed.

Next steps: the applicant may proceed with permitting/installation coordination with city staff; the commission asked staff to add review/update of the official arcade/color palette to a future HPC agenda so the commission can consider whether and how to revise the palette used when evaluating future sign proposals.

Ending: The commission—action lets Ojai Mountain Farm install the hanging sign; staff and the applicant will complete the permit and installation coordination and staff will return with a color-palette item for commission review.