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Commission approves 50‑foot pylon sign, finds CEQA exemptions for SG Opal commercial center
Summary
The planning commission approved a 50‑foot freestanding pylon sign and an 11‑foot monument fuel‑pricing sign for the SG Opal commercial center, granting a major variance for height and finding the sign action exempt from CEQA under sections 15311 and 15305.
The Yucaipa Planning Commission approved a land‑use compliance review and a major variance for a 50‑foot freestanding pylon sign and an 11‑foot monument fuel‑pricing sign at the SG Opal commercial center, finding the sign action exempt from CEQA and adopting staff conditions recommended by the San Bernardino Flood Control District.
Staff described the project (filed as PLNPHE250005, referenced in materials as SGOpal) as signage for a commercial center under construction at Colorado and Oakland; the center includes a hotel, fuel station, car wash, quick‑service restaurant and corporate office space. Staff said the freestanding sign is proposed at 50 feet with 245 square feet of sign face and the monument fuel pricing sign is roughly 11 feet tall with cash and credit pricing for four fuel types. The applicant requested a height variance to increase the allowable freestanding sign height to provide visibility to traffic exiting Interstate 10 and to be commensurate with an anticipated multi‑story hotel on site.
Staff recommended approval with supplementary conditions requested by the San Bernardino Flood Control District; staff also recommended the commission find the sign action categorically exempt under CEQA sections 15311 (accessory structures) and 15305 (minor multiple land use or lot line adjustments). One written comment from the San Bernardino Flood Control District provided conditions for any work near the flood control channel; staff noted no work was proposed within the channel.
Commission discussion centered on nighttime glare and light intensity from LED channel letters, sightlines to homes on the bluff above Colorado, and how sign color and brightness would be limited by the development code and county weights and measures for fuel price colors. Staff explained that the city’s sign standards set limits on light output (foot‑candles) and that sign contractors commonly include automatic dimming for LED signs to reduce nighttime glare. Staff also noted the project team performed a flag test to assess visibility to freeway traffic and said previous nearby projects had received variances for similar visibility reasons.
The applicant said prospective hotel brands include Hilton and Marriott and that the applicant intends to pursue hotel leasing within one to two years; the applicant also said fuel pricing color and protocol is governed by county weights and measures for fuel stations and cannot be freely altered. A member of the public, Brett Gramland, spoke in favor of the sign package and highlighted modern sign technologies that dim at night.
Commissioner disclosure: one commissioner reported an earlier phone conversation with an applicant representative (Alex Patel). One commissioner recused themself from item 3. After discussion, the commission approved the land‑use compliance review and major variance and directed staff to file a notice of exemption under the cited CEQA sections. The motion carried with five votes in favor and one recusal; the chair was excused for the meeting.
