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Council introduces zoning change to allow off-site freeway signs for major shopping centers; removes city-logo requirement
Summary
Perris introduced a zoning text amendment to allow one off-site freeway sign per qualifying commercial shopping center, subject to development standards and a conditional-use permit; council directed staff to omit a proposed city-logo requirement and moved the ordinance forward 5-0.
The Perris City Council introduced the first reading of a zoning code text amendment to permit off-site freeway signage for qualifying commercial shopping centers and directed staff to remove a proposed requirement that private signs include the city logo.
Principal planner Rafael Garcia said staff drafted a policy framework after council direction in January and that the planning commission reviewed and recommended the amendment on March 19. The draft ordinance would allow off-site signs only for commercial shopping centers meeting a minimum lot size (five acres), sited on commercially zoned adjacent parcels within the freeway right-of-way area and located within 50 feet of the commercial shopping center. Key development standards included a single sign maximum, a sign height limit of 50 feet, sign face area limits (approximately 150 square feet depending on single- or multi-tenant panels), static (non-digital) display only, architectural compatibility with the shopping center and a 500-foot spacing requirement between off-site freeway signs.
Councilman Corona asked staff to strengthen material and maintenance standards so panels do not fade or discolor within ten years; Garcia said the maintenance language is included in the staff report and staff is working with developers to encourage durable materials. Corona also objected to a proposed requirement that private signs incorporate the city logo; multiple councilmembers supported removing that requirement and directed staff to bring the ordinance back without the logo mandate.
The planning commission recommended the project be found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the general rule (citing the CEQA guideline exemption referenced in the staff report). The item will require a conditional-use permit and a public hearing before any off-site sign is permitted.
Councilwoman Nava moved to introduce the ordinance with the removal of the city-logo requirement; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0.
