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Claremont panel approves revised sign program for Claremont McKenna College East Campus
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a sign‑program amendment allowing new monument and a taller pylon sign at Claremont McKenna College’s East Campus Sports Bowl for improved wayfinding, with staff and applicant committing to lighting calibration and follow‑up wayfinding details.
The Architectural and Preservation Commission unanimously adopted a resolution approving sign review file 15‑S01AMD, a sign‑program amendment for Claremont McKenna College’s East Campus Sports Bowl that adds coordinated monument signage, pin‑mounted halo‑illuminated letters and a taller pylon element to aid wayfinding from Claremont Boulevard.
Chris Veers, city planner, told commissioners the revision was intended to provide new signs for the 75‑acre East Campus Sports Bowl that would be consistent with the campus sign program and the new Robert Day Sciences Center. Veers said the pylon was proposed because much of the sports bowl facilities sit below grade and “you really don’t see anything” from the arterial, so the taller element is meant to provide visitor wayfinding.
An applicant representative working with Burke Ingalls Group and the campus design team said the design intent emphasized continuity of materials and legibility: buff integral‑color concrete bases, Corten steel panels and halo‑illuminated, pin‑mounted aluminum letters. The applicant said lighting would be calibrated in practice and staff will require a post‑installation lighting review.
Commissioner Michelle Spivak asked whether the pylon or other signs would explicitly point to parking: “Wouldn’t that be something that you would wanna call out for people… if you’re concerned about people coming from a distance not knowing where to go to park?” Veers and the applicant said directional and wayfinding signs would be provided on site and staff would follow up on specific directional elements.
The resolution allows limited flexibility to exceed standard sign heights in a sign program (the staff report noted the pylon could reach heights permitted under the program for large campus entry markers). Staff cited prior approvals of larger entry signs at the science center and said the proposal is consistent with the adopted master plan; the EIR for the master plan and categorical CEQA exemptions for minor accessory signs were referenced in staff materials.
Commissioners praised the materials and lighting as “tastefully architecturally” done and approved the amendment by roll call. The commission’s action is subject to a 10‑day appeal period; staff indicated that the design team will proceed with a lighting study and coordinate additional directional signage as needed.
