Planning panel approves sign program, including taller monument signs, for 333 Shoreway Road

The Planning and Transportation Commission on Dec. 15 unanimously approved a design-review sign program for 333 Shoreway Road, the site of the Shoreway Environmental Center and Recology, granting variances that allow two replacement monument signs to rise to 15 feet and 11.5 feet and bringing the site to about 45 signs totaling roughly 3,145 square feet of sign area.

Staff planner Ralph told the commission that the roughly 7.5-acre site is owned by the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (branded Rethink Waste) and noted the conditional use permit for the facility does not set specific sign conditions. "Before you today is a sign program for 333 Shoreway Road," Ralph said, explaining that the program consolidates existing signs (27 to remain, some refreshed), adds 16 new signs plus two replacement monument signs, and addresses visibility from Highway 101.

Commissioners focused on sightlines and operational impacts. Commissioner Anand asked if the increased sign height and a reduced setback (from the typical 12 feet to 9 feet) would impair visibility for trucks and other traffic; staff said the shorter setback still allows a vehicle to pull in front of the sign before entering the roadway and characterized the requirement as primarily a design standard rather than a public-safety prohibition, noting safety must be assured. Applicant engineer Joanne Nim said the monument signs mark entrances and are intended to reduce driver confusion. "Our frontage is about 600 ft and we have six driveways within that 600 feet," Nim said, adding the signs are meant to improve circulation and that no road closures are expected during installation because the site operates 364 days a year.

Commissioner Canesty asked how the specific monument heights were chosen. Staff and the applicant showed designer wayfinding mockups and sightline exhibits and said the taller monument addresses a curved approach from the south, nearby foliage and adjacent signage that can obscure lower signs; the second monument was set at a lesser height where those constraints were smaller.

Vice Chair Bundy and Commissioners Kennasty and Anand each voiced support for the program, citing regional service, improved circulation and consistency with the general plan and Chapter 18.22 sign-program findings. "I appreciate the improved circulation and safety," Vice Chair Bundy said. Commissioner Anand called it "a practical improvement that will reduce confusion as well as erratic driving."

Commissioner Anand moved to grant design-review approval and adopt the draft resolution for the three industrial buildings at 333 Shoreway Road (APN 046-081-820); the motion was seconded and carried on a 4-0 vote (Chair Clemens, Vice Chair Bundy, Commissioner Anand and Commissioner Canesty voting yes; Commissioner Tapias excused). Staff noted the commission's action is final unless appealed to the city council within 10 days; the deadline to file an appeal is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

The record before the commission included staff findings that the proposal is consistent with the general plan, is appropriately designed for the site context, and complies with Chapter 18.22 except for the site-specific exceptions granted by the sign program. Staff also said the project is exempt under SQA 15311 for on-premise signs and that no public comments had been received by the time of the hearing.

The commission moved on to routine reports; staff reported the council introduced a downtown specific plan ordinance on Nov. 24 and reminded commissioners of holiday closures and an adjusted January meeting schedule.