Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board holds public hearing on Jackson Ranch signage amendment that would allow taller and larger roadside signs
Summary
Planning staff presented a proposed amendment to the Jackson Ranch Specific Plan to increase permitted freestanding pylon signs from 50 to 100 feet and modestly increase sign face area; staff recommended approval and the planning commission supported the change. Supervisors discussed fairness and comparability to other corridor rules.
The board conducted a public hearing on General Plan Amendment 26‑01, which would amend Appendix A (monuments and signage) of the Jackson Ranch Specific Plan to allow larger and taller signage in the Jackson Ranch area near the Interstate 5 interchange south of Kettleman City.
Victor Hernandez, planner with the Community Development Agency, said the amendment was submitted by Utica JLJ LLC and includes proposed increases to maximum freestanding pylon sign height from 50 feet to 100 feet and modest increases in sign face area (for example, freestanding sign faces from 800 to 900 square feet per face and certain pull signs up to 50 feet high with a 175‑square‑foot face allowance). Hernandez noted the planning commission considered the item on April 6 and recommended approval; staff determined the amendment is exempt from CEQA under the general rule (Guidelines §15061(b)(3)) because the change is a technical policy amendment and direct environmental effects would be reviewed on any subsequent development applications.
Supervisor commentary focused on fairness and comparability with other highway junction areas, including concerns that the Jackson Ranch area special plan would differ from rules at the Highway 41/I‑5 junction. Chuck Kenny, Community Development Agency, said prior code amendments allow special signage treatment for Kettleman City along I‑5 and offered to follow up with supervisors about whether additional amendments or uniform standards are warranted.
Public comment was not reported for this hearing item, and staff closed the hearing after board questions and comments.
Why it matters: Changing signage standards can influence the type and scale of commercial development that seeks to locate near an interstate interchange, affecting traffic visibility, local business advertising opportunities and future development review and CEQA processes.
What comes next: If the board adopts the amendment, the changes would take immediate effect; any future development enabled by the amendment would be subject to its own CEQA review and project permits.
Attribution: Technical details and CEQA findings are drawn from the planning staff presentation and Community Development Agency comments recorded in the June 30 meeting.
