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Planning Commission approves Benihana sign permit at 1890 Powell Street with paint condition
Summary
The Emeryville Planning Commission approved a major sign permit for Benihana at 1890 Powell Street, allowing two illuminated wall signs, a small shingle sign and reuse of a 40-foot pylon plus a new Torii-style gateway sign; approval includes a condition that existing gateway pylons be painted to match the site.
The Emeryville Planning Commission on Dec. 11 approved a major sign permit for a proposed Benihana restaurant at 1890 Powell Street, subject to a condition that the existing wooden pylons supporting the north-facing gateway sign be repainted to match the pylons.
Planning staff told the commission the site has 457 linear feet of public frontage and that the application proposes a total of about 123 square feet of new sign area across two illuminated wall signs, a 4-square-foot shingle sign and reuse of a 40-foot pylon gateway sign. Staff said the pylon structure is existing, the signboard measures about 116 square feet and the total text area would be 39 square feet; a new Torii-style entry gateway would be roughly 30 feet 8 inches tall and 36 feet 4 inches wide.
Staff recommended approval after concluding the proposal complies with the city's sign regulations and design guidelines and that the signs are necessary and no larger than required. Staff also noted a standard condition requiring dimmer controls for illumination so lighting can be adjusted if concerns arise.
Commission discussion focused on how the code measures sign area for gateway structures and on the visual impact of the Torii-style gate. Vice Chair Rob Henley questioned whether the entire gate structure or only the lettering should be used in area calculations; staff said the usual practice is to place a bounding box around the lettering/logo but that the planning commission has discretion for gateway signs. An applicant representative said they would not object to painting the existing pylon black so it blends with the structure.
No members of the public spoke. Commissioner Martinez moved to approve the application with an added condition that the existing pylons at gateway sign E be painted to match; Commissioner Rivera seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Commissioners Chafe, Gould, Martinez, Rivera, Vice Chair Henley and Chair Wax voted aye; Commissioner Small was absent.
The commission closed the item after the vote; implementation of the condition will be handled through the project conditions of approval and permit issuance.
