Fullerton planning panel approves larger LED display at Metro Center, 4–0

The Fullerton Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a master sign program permitting a larger single-faced LED display on the corner pylon sign at the Fullerton Metro Center, 1375 South Harbor Boulevard.

Chair Valadez and three commissioners voted to approve the conditional use permit; Vice Chair Dino was absent. Commissioner Tudor made the motion to approve, which passed on a 4–0 voice roll call. Staff said the decision is subject to a 10-working-day appeal period.

Associate Planner Benjamin Cough told commissioners the proposal would not add a new sign structure but would enlarge an existing corner pylon: the overall sign height would rise from about 20 feet to 23 feet and the LED display panel would be 7 feet by 16 feet (about 112 square feet). Cough said the project is in the GC (general commercial) zone, complies with applicable zoning standards and qualifies for a categorical exemption from CEQA (Class 11) for on-premise signs.

The project includes conditions limiting permitted display size and height and restricting illumination and messaging so the sign does not simulate or imitate traffic warnings or create hazards, Cough said. He recommended adoption of Planning Commission Resolution PC2025-05.

Christina Lord, owner of Rising Sign, described technical controls for the proposed LED panel, saying the engineered product will operate at a specified brightness (about 8,500 nits in the submittal), offer 6–10 millimeter pixel-pitch options, and include automatic dimming tied to ambient light sensors and cloud-based controls. "There will be auto dim, including light sensor with backup, dawn to dusk cloud dimming," Lord said. She added the unit would be assembled in California and controlled via U.S.-based servers.

An applicant representative said tenants would be allotted free advertising time and could pay for additional exposure; the operator will review submitted graphics and the ownership said it would consider allowing the city to supply community notices for events such as Fourth of July celebrations, subject to content rules. The representative said the operator would not run political or religious messaging through those city-supplied slots.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about the prior conditional use permit and how future modifications would be handled; staff noted the earlier CUP authorizing an electronic message board did not specify how later modifications would proceed and included a condition that future modifications could return to the reviewing body. Staff also confirmed that minor modifications could be approved administratively by the director if the primary intent and scope do not change.

The commission’s approval is preliminary administrative action by the Planning Commission; staff said parties interested in appealing the decision must file a written appeal with the Community and Economic Development Department within 10 working days.

The planning commission moved on to other business after the vote.