West Covina planning commission approves two electronic reader-board signs for Allied Restoration with static name panels

The West Covina Planning Commission on an unanimous 4-0 vote approved a variance for Allied Restoration to install two electronic reader-board wall signs at 3120 East Garvey Avenue South, provided each digital panel include a permanent, non-changing identification panel on top.

Planning Associate Miriam Machado told commissioners the application is variance number 2403 for the property at 3120 East Garvey Avenue South and that staff could not support findings a, c or f for the full request. Machado said staff recommended approving one reader board and a separate wall sign instead of the two reader boards originally proposed. The commission instead approved two reader-board signs with a static identification portion above each panel and size limits recited in the motion.

The building owner and applicant told the commission the dual panels are intended to provide visibility in both directions along the I-10 freeway. Chris Kelly of AKC Permit, representing Allied Restoration, said the signs "fully comply with current Title 24 requirements for energy usage in the state of California. It auto dims, it has the on off features that that you would find in those panels" and that the displays can be used for community notices and to relay Amber/Silver alerts via Caltrans links.

Owner O.P. Almeraz described community uses hosted at the Allied Restoration facility and said the business regularly distributes holiday meals and community services; he told the commission, "we've fed over 10,000 families." Two members of the public spoke in support, describing the facility as an active community partner and saying signage would help identify the location for visitors and event participants.

Commission discussion focused on three issues: the size and footprint of the proposed reader-board panels relative to a variance approved in 2008, the visual and maintenance effects of all-digital displays (including "burn-in"), and the need for a permanent, non-electronic business identification so the building remains identifiable during a power outage or if modules fail. Machado explained that the previously approved 2008 variance allowed a total sign area of 66.38 square feet with a 53.75-square-foot reader-board component; the current proposal seeks two 78.16-square-foot reader-board signs. Staff noted the property's zoning and freeway frontage but said the record did not show unique physical circumstances that would clearly justify two oversized reader boards without conditions.

To resolve those concerns the commission adopted Resolution No. 25-6167 with modifications. The motion approved two electronic reader-board wall signs as shown in the applicant's plans but required a permanent (non-changing) identification panel incorporated into each display. The motion specified the static identification panel would be at least two of the modular blocks the applicant referenced (approximately 18 inches high and 11 feet long, about 16.5 square feet) and stated the digital reader-board portion would be limited to the size recited in the motion (as recorded in the minutes). The commission adopted the findings necessary for the variance as modified and approved the resolution by roll call vote (Reyes — yes; Lewis — yes; Vice Chair Becerra — yes; Chair Hain — yes; Commissioner Casiano absent).

Staff and the applicant noted maintenance implications: the applicant said modern modular LED panels allow individual module replacement and that the static panel could be metal and would hide modules behind it so the digital portion is not energized where the static panel covers it. Machado reiterated that the city’s sign code traditionally expects a static building-identification sign for office buildings and observed there are few, if any, properties in West Covina with two reader-board wall signs.

The action is appealable to the City Council within 10 days.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 25-6167 (Variance 2403) — Approve two electronic reader-board wall signs at 3120 East Garvey Avenue South with the condition that each display include a permanent static identification panel (minimum ~16.5 sq ft); digital portion limited as stated in the motion. Vote: 4-0 (Reyes, Lewis, Becerra, Hain — yes; Casiano — absent).