Calabasas council asks staff to explore tasteful multi‑tenant monument signage for auto row, rejects large digital billboards

Council members on June 24 directed staff to research a tasteful, non‑digital multi‑tenant monument sign and Caltrans freeway wayfinding to improve visibility for the Calabasas auto district, but they stopped short of changing municipal code to allow large digital billboards.

Planning and public works staff reviewed existing signage rules for Calabasas Road, noting auto dealerships already have expanded allowances for monument and building‑mounted franchise signs when properties are adjacent to the freeway. The 2006 West Calabasas Road planning guidelines included a conceptual multi‑tenant sign off the 101 to improve visibility for the dealership cluster; staff presented that concept and an example of a city‑partner digital sign in San Jose that had generated significant revenue under a long‑term advertising agreement.

Council members raised legal and design questions about any targeted exceptions in the municipal code. City attorney Pam explained that the council could draft an overlay or specific findings to allow differentiated treatment, but that any special rule must be justified and consistently applied. Several council members suggested a non‑digital monument sign sited off the freeway would be the best first step: it would increase wayfinding without introducing large electronic advertising that many residents find visually intrusive.

"We have an auto district and a lot of people just don't know it," Council Member Peter said. "We should do more to promote this area in a tasteful way." Council Member Peter and others also urged staff to explore Caltrans signage (directional signage on the freeway) because signage well ahead of exits helps drivers position for the correct off‑ramp.

Action requested of staff: Council asked staff to (1) research a multi‑tenant, non‑digital monument sign concept consistent with the West Calabasas Road design guidelines, (2) coordinate with Caltrans about freeway wayfinding or directional signage options, and (3) engage the auto dealerships to assess interest and possible cost or maintenance sharing. Staff will return to council with findings and options; council indicated the matter can return directly to the council without needing planning commission review if it is a city‑led project.