Pleasant Hill ARC approves expanded Boot Barn signs, orders I‑680-facing sign be vertically centered

The Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission on March 5 approved a sign permit for a new Boot Barn at 545 Contra Costa Boulevard, allowing two internally illuminated channel-letter wall signs and a minor sign-area adjustment to improve visibility from Interstate 680.

Staff told the commission that the proposal (ENT 2026-0002) adds two wall signs — a black-faced sign on the Contra Costa Boulevard frontage and a white-faced sign on the Interstate 680 frontage — totaling 143.88 square feet, which is 23.88 square feet (19.89%) above the 120-square-foot standard and within the 20% allowance for a minor sign adjustment. Staff recommended the commission accept an exemption from SQA and approve the project subject to standard conditions.

Ryan Drury of Pacific Neon, the sign vendor for Boot Barn, said the design follows the company’s national brand standards and that Boot Barn was committed to locating in the East Bay. “Pleasant Hill was a big part of where they wanted to be, and they’re very thankful to be a part of the community,” Drury said.

Commissioners asked about alternative placements for the I‑680-facing sign and whether moving it to the center of the lower bay would be feasible. The applicant said reusing the existing electrical feed and the previous Party City mounting location was an economic and practical consideration, though he indicated adjustments could be made if feasible.

During deliberations, commissioners generally agreed the proposed square footage and the change from a racetrack-style backer panel to channel letters is an upgrade. Two commissioners said they preferred vertically centering the sign on the I‑680 side (between the top of the parapet/flashing and the paint line) if the flashing color and paint lines permit; two others expressed no objection to the current placement.

A commissioner moved to approve staff’s recommendation with the modification that the I‑680-facing sign be centered vertically and to accept the requested minor sign-area adjustment; another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously, 4–0 (Commissioner Brandis — yes; Commissioner Patari — yes; Commissioner Weir — yes; Chair Nelson — yes), to approve the permit subject to conditions that will be reflected in the written decision.

Key technical details recorded in the hearing: the project address is 545 Contra Costa Boulevard (former Party City), the total proposed wall-sign area is 143.88 sq ft, the requested increase over the 120-sq-ft allowance is 23.88 sq ft (19.89%), and the signs will be internally LED illuminated channel letters (black-faced front; white-faced rear). Staff noted neighboring properties have similar illuminated rear signage facing I‑680 and that the city has historically treated the Contra Costa/I‑680 property face as two frontages for sign-area calculations.

The commission closed public comment (no public speakers were present) and confirmed the next meeting date as March 19. The ARC adjourned after the vote.