Planning commission approves Better Buzz sign permit, allows applicant option on lamp style and optional blade sign

The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on a 4-0 roll-call vote approved a sign permit for Better Buzz Coffee at 280 South Coast Highway that authorizes an illuminated canopy sign and a suspended sign under the canopy and allows the applicant to choose between a gooseneck lamp or a straight-armed fixture.

The staff report said the application before the commission proposes "1 illuminated canopy sign and 1 suspended sign." Planning technician Sarah Olsen told commissioners the canopy sign would be 14.5 square feet with a maximum letter height of 17.5 inches and the suspended sign would be about 7 square feet with 4-inch letters, and that both comply with the downtown specific plan and municipal code. Olsen also recommended the commission adopt the resolution approving the sign permit and finding the action exempt from CEQA.

Why this matters: the downtown specific plan caps most wall signs at 15 square feet; an earlier sign submittal had included a larger wall sign and a blade sign and was continued for revision. Commissioners and applicants debated lamp style, pedestrian visibility and whether an additional small blade sign under the canopy would be desirable and administratively approvable.

Architect Anders Lasseter asked the commission to allow the applicant the option to select a straight-arm fixture instead of the gooseneck shown in renderings, saying the difference would be aesthetic and could be decided later by the applicant. "I'm Anders Lasseter, architect for the project," he said. Better Buzz construction director Corey Becker told the commission his team would be open to a small perpendicular blade sign if staff could process it administratively: "If we did have something, sure. Just apply for a blade sign. It likely could be approved and processed at a staff level. It should qualify for an administrative sign permit."

Commission discussion focused on compatibility with the building and pedestrian orientation. Commissioner Whiting summarized his view, saying the signage is "integrated" and "complimentary" to the building and expressing support for a perpendicular blade sign and the straight-arm light option. The commission also discussed construction and finish: the sign face will be black-painted or powder-coated aluminum and the proposed lighting will be about 2,700 Kelvin.

Formal action: a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution approving sign permit 24-1639 and to allow the applicant the straight-arm/gooseneck option; another commissioner seconded. On roll call, Commissioner Goldman, Commissioner Whiting, Commissioner Dubin and Chair Sadler voted yes; Commissioner Kellenberg was absent. The motion passed, 4-0. The resolution records the commission's approval and a 14-day appeal period to the city council.

The commission noted that blade signs do not count toward the total computable sign area under the municipal sign code, so a small blade sign under the canopy could be added later and processed administratively if the applicant chooses to pursue it. Staff will finalize the resolution language and the applicant may proceed with permits consistent with tonight's action and with the city's building and electrical permit requirements.

Votes at a glance: Sign Permit 24-1639 '1: approved, 4-0 (Kellenberg absent).