Planning commission approves halo‑lit Vons signs at Ojai Valley Shopping Center

Vons sign permit approved with conditions after short public hearing.

The Ojai City Planning Commission on May 21 approved a sign permit allowing Vons to replace existing exterior wall signs at 1125 Maricopa Highway (Ojai Valley Shopping Center) with halo‑lit aluminum letters and a smaller circular drive‑up logo. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions limiting illumination intensity and hours; the commission adopted the resolution by roll call.

Why it matters: the project will update the anchor tenant’s exterior signage as part of a store remodel and introduces halo or back‑lit signage that the city’s sign code treats differently than internally illuminated plastic signs. Staff and the applicant explained the design, placement and dimming controls to ensure compliance with the sign standards.

Planner Brian (staff) presented the item and described the signs’ materials and lighting. Jason Gronlick, real estate manager for Albertsons/Vons, told the commission the circular logo marks the store’s “drive up and go” program, where customers order online and park in designated spaces for staff curbside delivery. As Gronlick said, “That signifies our drive up and go program.”

Conditions in the permit require the signs be fabricated with opaque aluminum faces (no translucent plastic), be halo‑lit so illumination is cast against the wall rather than through the sign face, include a dimmer set so measured illumination from the sign face does not exceed 10 candlepower per square foot, and use a time switch to turn off sign illumination after store closing. The applicant confirmed on the record that the proposed new signage will be slightly smaller in total area than the existing Vons sign.

Public comment included one supportive speaker who welcomed the store remodel and said the drive‑up option would be useful for seniors. After brief discussion commissioners voted to adopt the resolution approving the sign permit; the vote was recorded as Graham: Aye; Bennett: Aye; Murphy: Aye; Trent: Yes.

The sign permit is conditioned to allow staff to require dimming changes within 30 days after installation if measured lighting exceeds the allowed threshold. The applicant said signs will be adjustable by a local store maintenance person using a rheostat/dimmer and that the drive‑up parking spaces will remain usable by the general public but are designated for online order pickup.