Commission approves two storefront sign permits for Lomita Avenue and Sonoma Highway

The Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission on April 8 approved two sign permits: one for Scott Anderson Landscaping at 19080 Lomita Avenue and one for RJ Motors at 19190 Sonoma Highway. Both approvals included staff recommendations and categorical exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines.

Staff presented the first item as a proposed wall sign for the Lomita Avenue frontage of a commercial property near the Sonoma Highway interchange. Staff recommended approval subject to findings and conditions; the applicant was not present in the meeting room or online. Commissioner Salm moved to approve the permit; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote (Aye: Commissioners Herron, Randolph, Stone, Chair Amar; absent: one youth member), recorded as 4–0–0–1. Staff said the project was to be approved consistent with a categorical exemption listed in the staff report.

The second item, for RJ Motors at 19190 Sonoma Highway, was presented as a non-illuminated channel-letter wall sign to be placed on the building corner facing the roadway. Staff noted the description on the plan set would be revised to remove the word “illuminated.” The applicant, identifying himself as Michael Lefebvre, said he recently moved his used-car business to Sonoma and welcomed the opportunity to be in the community, saying, “I have a used car dealership... I would love to be in the community.” Commissioners asked clarifying questions about placement and visibility; one nearby property owner spoke briefly about the existing awning lettering. Commissioner Salm moved to approve; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote (Aye: Commissioners Herron, Randolph, Stone, Chair Amar; youth member voted Aye), recorded as 4–0–0–1.

Both items were processed with staff recommendations and were accompanied by CEQA categorical-exemption references in the staff reports. The commission’s approvals represent final design-review actions for these individual sign permits; any required permit issuance or plan revisions will follow the conditions adopted with each permit.

Votes at a glance: - Item 3.1 — Sign permit, 19080 Lomita Avenue (Scott Anderson Landscaping). Action: approve sign permit and adopt staff findings and CEQA categorical exemption (CEQA Guidelines cited in staff report). Motion: Commissioner Salm; second: (recorded). Vote: 4 Y, 0 N, 0 Abstain, 1 Absent. Outcome: approved. - Item 3.2 — Sign permit, 19190 Sonoma Highway (RJ Motors). Action: approve sign permit and adopt staff findings and CEQA categorical exemption; plan description to be modified to remove the word “illuminated.” Motion: Commissioner Salm; second: (recorded). Vote: 4 Y, 0 N, 0 Abstain, 1 Absent. Outcome: approved.

The commission did not direct further policy changes related to signage during these items; staff will proceed with issuing permits consistent with the conditions of approval and any required follow-up plan edits.