Design Review Commission approves master sign program for 414–420 South San Gabriel Boulevard

The Design Review Commission on Monday approved a master sign program for a mixed self-storage and artist-studio development at 414–420 South San Gabriel Boulevard (planning case MSP23002).

Planning Manager Samantha Toussart summarized the project and staff recommendations, telling the commission the site is about 1.75 acres and the building is just under 200,000 square feet, including roughly 90,000 square feet of self-storage and about 9,000 square feet of artist studios. She said staff had identified two technical corrections to the staff report — the primary blade sign is 91 square feet and the artist-studio sign is 47 square feet — and recommended removing condition number 4, which would have tied signage completion to final building occupancy because signage does not affect a final building inspection.

The applicant, Shane Swerdlow of Craig Lawson & Company, described a minimalist sign program intended to complement public art on the site and accommodate two uses: artist/maker studios and a self-storage operator. Swerdlow said the design calls for one channel-letter sign for the studios (about 47.5 square feet), one vertical blade sign for the storage use (about 91 square feet) and one additional south-facing wall sign of roughly 47 square feet. He said two small office/window signs (about 4 square feet each) and two address numerals would also be installed. "The anticipated opening date is coming up in November," Swerdlow told the commission.

The applicant confirmed materials and lighting details: perforated letters that read as black during the day and illuminate at night, a gray-stone finish for sign raceways/returns (correcting an earlier reference to "auburn" in the plans), and illuminated signs facing San Gabriel Boulevard and the south elevation to meet code-based lighting requirements. A public commenter asked whether plaque signs would identify onsite artwork; the applicant said two stainless-steel plaques are planned to accompany public-art pieces.

Commissioners praised the minimalist approach. Commissioner Tu called the design "clean" and "elegant," and other commissioners noted the perforated vinyl provides visibility without visual clutter and that blade signs serve both pedestrians and drivers. Commissioner Lopez moved to approve the program; Commissioner Tu seconded. With Commissioner Chang absent, a roll call produced four affirmative votes and the motion passed.

Next steps: the master sign program is approved as part of the project approvals already granted for the site. Staff indicated signage is a tenant-level requirement and that completion of signage will be enforced at tenant occupancy rather than as a prerequisite to final building inspection. The commission scheduled its next regular meeting for October 28.

Votes at a glance: The consent calendar earlier in the meeting passed by roll call with three affirmative votes. The master sign program (MSP23002) passed by roll call with four affirmative votes and one absence.

Attendance and context: The commission meeting was livestreamed; no substantive public opposition was recorded during the public-comment period. The project team indicated substantial prior public review and approvals, including zone-change and design-review actions taken in previous years.