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Pleasant Hill planners approve monument sign panel for First Church of Christ Scientist with limits on secondary text
Summary
The commission approved a use permit and sign permit for a new monument sign panel for First Church of Christ Scientist at 409 Boyd Road, subject to conditions including removal of secondary informational text and a requirement to refresh the faded Montessori sign panel; the motion passed unanimously.
The Pleasant Hill Planning Commission on March 10 approved a use permit for a major sign adjustment and an associated sign permit allowing additional freestanding signs and a new monument sign panel for the First Church of Christ Scientist at 409 Boyd Road.
Staff explained the site is occupied by Empire Montessori School and the church, and noted the Montessori operator owns the property while the church leases space for services. The proposed church panel would add approximately 27.1 square feet to the single‑sided monument face; staff said the R7 zone typically allows 16 square feet per sign face (32 square feet if double‑faced) and that the site’s combined existing and proposed signage would exceed the usual allowance.
The Architectural Review Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended several conditions of approval, including that secondary informational text (days and times) not appear on the monument panel and that the existing, faded Montessori panel be refreshed when the new panel is installed. Commissioners discussed the broader implications of allowing secondary text on monument signage for other businesses and generally supported the ARC recommendation to keep the monument face free of secondary operational details.
One commissioner emphasized that allowing hours or secondary information on one site could set a precedent leading to cluttered signage across the city. Multiple commissioners agreed that removing secondary text and requiring the Montessori sign to be refreshed and surrounding landscaping trimmed were appropriate conditions.
A motion to approve the use permit and sign permit (ENT‑20250032) carried unanimously. The commission included conditions that implement the ARC recommendations: no secondary information on the monument panel, replacement/refresh of the existing Montessori sign panel, trimming of landscape that obscures signs, and standard illumination conditions. The applicant confirmed the ownership arrangement and use of the site during the hearing.
With Planning Commission approval, the item will be transmitted to the City Council in accordance with the city’s project review process where any council action required by code will be taken.
