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Planning Commission Approves Circle K Variance for Extra Signs at 1400 North Imperial Avenue
Summary
The Imperial City Planning and Traffic Commission voted 4-0 to approve Variance 25-06 allowing Circle K to install four additional business signs at a new convenience store and gas station at 1400 North Imperial Avenue; staff said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under section 15061(b)(3).
The Imperial City Planning and Traffic Commission on Jan. 28 unanimously approved Variance 25-06 to let Circle K exceed the city—s three-sign limit at a proposed convenience store and gas station at 1400 North Imperial Avenue (APN 063040035).
Staff told commissioners the submitted site plan includes 20 signs in total: a 35-foot pole sign fronting State Route 86, three building signs, two canopy signs, 13 directional signs and one monument sign fronting Neckl Road. Because directional signs are not counted as business signs, staff said, the application seeks a variance to allow four additional business signs beyond the three permitted on a building. "The submitted application site plan includes a total of 20 signs for the project," staff said during the presentation.
A Circle K representative on the call, Ben Hayes, described the signage materials and lighting as typical of convenience stores: "Think of aluminum and plastics and in terms of lighting, it's LED lighting," Hayes said, adding that other local Circle K locations use similar sign types. Commissioners asked for clarifications about canopy signs and whether the plans include EV chargers; staff pointed to four EV stalls south of the store on the site plan and confirmed the canopy signs and building signs as the items covered by the variance request.
The commission closed the public hearing at 06:47 and approved a motion to adopt the resolution granting Variance 25-06. The motion passed 4-0.
The staff report notes the city considered the project categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guideline section 15061(b)(3), the "common sense" exemption, which applies when it is clearly evident an activity will not have a significant environmental impact. The file includes the applicant's site plan and related permits; more detailed sign permit reviews will follow building and sign permit applications.
Next steps: staff and the applicant will complete sign-permit-level reviews and any required building or electric permits before installation; the resolution grants the variance but does not authorize construction work without subsequent permits.
