Laguna Beach planning commission approves sign permit for Oto Sushi at 370 Glenery Street

On Feb. 19, 2025, the City of Laguna Beach Planning Commission unanimously approved sign permit 25-0231 for Oto Sushi at 370 Glenery Street, authorizing two wall signs with halo illumination and finding the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Planning staff presented the application and recommended approval. Planning staffer Sarah Olsen said the property is “an approximately 5,500 square foot commercial building currently occupied by Oto Sushi” and described the proposed signage: one wall sign above the Mermaid Street entrance made of gold-painted aluminum reverse-channel letters with letter heights up to 21 inches and a sign area of about 9.3 square feet; and one logo sign above the Glenery Street entrance in the shape of a fish with an “o” cutout and the word “sushi,” totaling roughly 13.5 square feet. Olsen said both signs would be lit with 4,000 Kelvin LEDs that “shine through a clear Lehi back and onto the face of the building, resulting in halo illumination.” She told the commission staff found the signs met design criteria and objective standards and recommended adoption of a resolution approving the permit and finding the action exempt from CEQA.

Don Torres Barzil of America’s Instant Sign, the contractor for the project, told the commission, “We work closely with Sarah to make sure that everything is up to the codes that the city requires, the material, the illumination, everything.” He said the materials and paint finish are professional and that painted aluminum has held up in similar coastal installations.

Commissioners raised only brief questions about scale and coastal durability before expressing support. Commissioner Goldman said, “I think this is a fairly simple application. I don't have any objections to it.” Commissioner Dubin and Chair Pro Tem Kellenberg also said they had no concerns; Kellenberg called the design “tasteful” despite the slightly larger letter sizes. Chair Sadler noted that a previous restaurant in the same space had a similar halo-lit sign and said this proposal appeared comparable.

The commission voted on a motion to adopt a resolution approving sign permit 25-0231 and finding the action exempt from CEQA. The roll call vote recorded Commissioners Goldman and Dubin, Chair Pro Tem Kellenberg and Chair Sadler voting yes; the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Consent calendar (01/15/2025 and 02/05/2025 draft minutes): approved by unanimous roll call (Goldman: yes; Dubin: yes; Kellenberg: yes; Sadler: yes). - Sign permit 25-0231 (Oto Sushi, 370 Glenery Street): resolution approving permit and finding CEQA exemption adopted by unanimous roll call (Goldman: yes; Dubin: yes; Kellenberg: yes; Sadler: yes).

The commission closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking on the item. Staff noted no additional reports were on the agenda and reminded commissioners about a Feb. 26 special meeting on the promenade project.

Ending: The approval authorizes the two halo-illuminated wall signs as presented in the staff report; the commission found the project exempt from CEQA and offered no conditions beyond those in the staff recommendation.