SAPR 2021-0008 Pointe Dune Palms Shopping Center, Amendment 2 (01.14.2022)
January 14, 2022
Mr. John Mcdonel
41945 Boardwalk, Ste. L
Palm Desert, CA 92211
SUBJECT: SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2021-0008
POINTE DUNE PALMS SHOPPING CENTER
Dear Mr. Mcdonel:
The Design and Development Department has reviewed and approved your request
for an amendment to the Pointe Dune Palms Sign Program. The approval is subject
to Conditions of Approval attached to the staff report. The appeal period for this
decision is 15 days and will end on January 29, 2022.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (760) 777-7069.
Sincerely,
Carlos Flores
Senior Planner
Enclosures:
o Staff Report
STAFF REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 14, 2022
CASE NO: SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2021-0008 (SA 2002-
627 AMENDMENT 2)
APPLICANT: SIGN A RAMA
REQUEST: APPROVE A SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT FOR THE
POINTE DUNE PALMS CENTER AND FIND THE
PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
CEQA: THE PLANNING DIVISION HAS DETERMINED THAT
THIS PROPOSAL IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 15301 OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA),
IN THAT THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDES ON-PREMISE
SIGNS.
LOCATION: SOUTHEAST CORNER OF DUNE PALMS AND
HIGHWAY 111
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• The applicant proposes to amend the Pointe Dune Palms Sign Program
(Program) to allow for additional signs for newly created tenant spaces
within the center.
BACKGROUND
In 2002 the Planning Commission approved the original Program to allow
signage at this project site, previously known as Dune Palms Plaza. The
Program established locations, sizes, and specifications for signs within this
center and also established location and design for freestanding monument
sign. In 2012, the Planning Commission approved an amendment to this
program to allow for increased sign sizes and locations fort the Program.
On September 15, 2021, the Planning Commission approved of Tentative
Tract Map 2021-0003 which established a condominium map on the existing
building. This allowed for additional tenants within the existing building.
PROPOSAL AND ANALYSIS
The applicant requests a second amendment to allow for additional signs and
a modification to the freestanding monument sign for the Program. The
additional signage is proposed to accommodate for additional tenants within
the shopping center, to ensure of signs for every tenant, spread out
throughout the building. The design and general location of the signs are
not changing. The additional signs are proposed at 40 square feet. The
additional monument sign is located along Dune Palms Road, to complement
the other one along Highway 111.
The proposed sign program amendment will not substantially alter the
aesthetics of the commercial center and will provide increased visibility to
end cap tenants. Future signs for this location shall be submitted under the
general sign permit process as they are identified and reviewed against the
parameters of this approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Design and Development Department has determined that this project is
exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing
Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act in that the proposed
project includes on-premise signs.
Report prepared by: Carlos Flores, Senior Planner
Attachment: 1. Proposed Final Sign Program
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED JANUARY 14, 2022
SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2021-0008 (SA2002-627, AMENDMENT 2)
POINTE DUNE PALMS CENTER SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
FINDINGS
1. Consistency with General Plan
The project site is designated General Commercial on the General Plan land
use map and the proposed sign program amendment further promotes
Regional commercial uses at the center.
2. Consistency with Zoning Code
Sign program amendments are authorized by the Zoning Code and the
proposed sign program amendment is consistent with the purpose and
intent of Chapter 9.160.
The sign program amendment is in harmony with and visually related to:
a. All signs within the planned sign program, via the incorporation of
several common design elements such as materials, letter style, colors,
illumination, sign type or sign shape. The new tenant signs would be
similar in design with the existing tenant signs.
b. The buildings they identify. This may be accomplished by utilizing
materials, colors, or design motif included in the building being
identified. The amendment allows for larger identification for major
tenants.
c. Surrounding development. Implementation of the planned sign program
will not adversely affect surrounding land uses or obscure adjacent
conforming signs.
The sign program amendment would allow more square footage and
visibility for individual signs in order to overcome a disadvantage as a
result of the orientation and location of the commercial center and to
increase visibility for patrons traveling on Washington Street.
The sign program allows additional area in order to:
a. Achieve an effect which is essentially architectural. The monument sign
and building signs provides compatible and reasonable architectural
designs.
b. Allow a sign compatible with other conforming signs in the vicinity. The
new sign will be similar in design with the other tenant signs on the
building.
c. To allow a sign to be in proper scale with its building or use. The
individual business will be allowed signs and monument sign will be
approved for a business.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED JANUARY 14, 2022
SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2021-0008 (SA2002-627, AMENDMENT 2)
POINTE DUNE PALMS CENTER SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT
Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
d. To allow a sign compatible with other conforming signs in the vicinity.
3. Compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The Design and Development Department has determined that this project
is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 of the
California Environmental Quality Act in that the proposed project can be
characterized as an existing facility.
4. Surrounding Uses
As conditioned, approval of the application will not create conditions
materially detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare or
injurious to or incompatible with other properties or land uses in the
vicinity. The proposed sign program amendment design elements are
consistent in size and scale with the existing signage in surrounding
commercial centers.
GENERAL
1. The applicant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of La
Quinta (“City”), its agents, officers and employees from any claim, action
or proceeding to attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this Sign
Program Amendment. The City shall have sole discretion in selecting its
defense counsel. The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim,
action or proceeding and shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2. Any changes to the sign program, including sign size, sign placement
and/or sign design, will require a sign program amendment application to
be filed with the Design and Development Department.
POINTE DUNE PALMS
SIGN PROGRAM
(REVISED 11/19/2021)
47120 Dune Palms Road
La Quinta, CA 92253
ATTACHMENT 1
PLANNING APPROVAL
ADMINISTRATIVE
CASE# ____________________
EXHIBIT# ____________________
INITIAL cflores
DATE 01/14/2022 1:34:09 PM
SAPR2021-0008
WEST ELEVATION
Pointe Dune Palms
47120 Dune Palms Road
La Quinta, CA. 92253
760-xxx-xxxx
760-xxx-xxxx Same
830131 C45, C61/D42
97005491
Frontage: ___ Linear Feet
Total Signage ____ S.F.
1938807
Salesperson:
41945 BOARDWALK, SUITE L
PALM DESERT, CA 92211
PH 760.776.9907 / FX 760.776.9844 A1
108965 1
xx/xx/2021
DW
JM
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED
DOUBLE SIDED MONUMENT
ALUMINUM w/TEXCOAT FINISH
COLORS TO MATCH EXISTING MONUMENT
TENANT PANELS WHITE ACRYLIC
5’-0”New Monument
Location
The purpose of the Sign Program is to ensure: design, guidance, production, imple-
mentation, consistency, quality, coordination, proportion, enhancement, image
and compatibility between all signs within the Sign Program area. As such, the
Sign Program is intended to address placement, color, style, sign material, integrity
and their consistency on the property. This program also serves to communicate
particular owner/owner’s tenant sign parameters to compliment the project as a
whole, while achieving a unified, attractive balanced appealing signage situation.
Although the Sign Program exhibits establish the letter and sign dimensions, the
Sign Program is not intended to substitute: Chapter: 9.160., of the City of La Quinta
zoning ordinance.
A sign program is coordinated sign plan for an individual building or a group of
buildings. For those signs requiring a Sign Program, no permit shall be issued for
an individual sign unless and until a Sign Program for the lot on which the sign
will be erected has been submitted and approved by the City of La Quinta in con-
formance with the City La Quinta sign ordinance.
All signs shall be constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the
following standards:
1. All sign (s) shall comply with the: Sign Program, current local and state
zoning, codes, meet the provisions of the Uniform Building and electrical codes, be
maintained in goods structural condition and appearance, and MUST BE Under-
writers Laboratory (U. L.) and BEAR the U.L. listing on signage and signage applica-
tion.
2. The owner, owners tenants agent and/or the sign contractor and/or general
contractor shall be responsible for obtaining any and all permits required;
3. Former owner (s) shall be responsible for the removal of the signage, includ-
ing but not limited to: (1) sealing, (2) patching, (3) painting, (4) electrical discon-
nect, and (5) “capping” of electrical in a safe and compliant manner – sign removals
to be completed withing a 10 (ten) day period of lease termination at the owner’s
expense. It is required that you use a sign contractor for the signage removal pro-
cess mention herein and licensed painting contractor for the patching, painting
and/or finishing work. All repair work must match the building color and texture.
Working area must be left in a neat and clean condition upon work being per-
formed;
4. No audible, flashing, animated, moving, pulsating, electronic and/or search
lighting or sign (s) not specifically mentioned herein shall be permitted;
5. It is the responsibility of the sign contractor and owner/owner’s tenant to
verify all sign locations and/or field conditions, conduit, primary electrical loca-
tions and services, prior to installation of any sign (s). The owner/owner’s tenant
shall be responsible for installation and running primary electrical and/or electri-
cal hook-ups and/or items requiring sign-age illumination.
6. No: exposed raceway, crossovers, conductors, wiring, or junction boxes. Trans-
former boxes will be used to cover and/or conceal transformers in a concealed
and remote interior area. All bolts, fastenings and clips shall be: and painted to
match the exterior building color;
7. Sign contractor must have the following and present to owner/owner’s
tenant prior to sign install: (1) General Liability Insurance, (2) Workers Compensa-
tion, (3) City Business License and sign permits, planning and building permit – at
the time of contracting with owner/owner’s tenant and/or at the time of installa-
tion. Sign contractor must obtain a final inspection upon install. Signage out of
compliance and/or absence of final inspection may be removed at owner/owner’s
tenant expense.
8. Owner/owner’s tenant will be responsible for its sign contractor to indemni-
fy, defend and hold harmless the Owner and owner’s tenants from any damage or
liability resulting from the contractor’s work. Owner/owner’s tenant will also pro-
vide adequate evidence of the sign contractor’s insurance coverage, naming the
owner as additional insured;
9. Sign labels that pertain to construction and installation shall be permitted
and places in a conspicuous location for inspection and/or emergencies;
10. Penetrations of the building structure required by installation (s) shall be
neatly sealed in a “water tight” condition and painted to match exterior surface;
11. Sign (s) shall have access and/or adequate “crawl space” for (1) City Inspec-
tions (2) Owner inspections and (3) servicing;
12. No live and/or simulated animals or humans may be used on site or withing
right-of-way adjacent to the subject property as a sign;
13. No sign (s) shall be permitted that pose a nuisance or hazard;
14. No exposed neon, lamps, tubing, and/or bulbs, shall be permitted;
15. Roof sign (s) or projected sign (s) shall not be permitted;
16. Temporary identification signs such as: construction, developer, seasonal
promotions and/or compliance non-illuminated advertising displays are permit-
ted as per La Quinta City Code and landlord approval – some time restrictions may
apply;
17. Sign (s) that project onto the public right-of-way shall not be permitted;
18. The tenant will be responsible for the maintenance of their sign (s). Repairs
shall be required within 30 (thirty) calendar days of needed repair/servicing. If not
mitigated within 30 (thirty) days, the owner/owner’s tenant shall reserve the right
to repair and/or service the sign at the owner/owners tenant’s expense;
19. Owner shall reserve the right to have architectural control;
1. Signage shall be individually illuminated/halo lit reverse channel letters;
2. Sign letters to be aluminum reverse channel letters.
3. Color (s) and type style (s) to be approved by association/owner and the City
of La Quinta;
4. Only single line signs are permitted.
5. Logos shall be permitted;
6. Sign illumination to be: LED;
7. Sign square footage not to exceed: 72 square feet for those elevations within
the larger sign “box” surface area and must stay within “enveloped area.” Those
elevations with a smaller surface “rectangular area” must stay within 40 square feet
and within “enveloped area” and mounted with a minimum of 1 ½” standoff.
8. One sign per business front – except for tenants on corner locations. Tenant’s
may at their expense, locate (1) one at 72 or 40 square feet in the required envel-
oped are;
9. No signs allowed on the back (East) elevation of the building;
10. All building signs shall be turned off no later than 12:00 a.m.
11. See exhibits for material and location requirements;
1. Monuments signage to match specifications of existing monument on Hwy
111 Entrance – see exhibits;
2. Monument signage shall be internally illuminated by LED lighting;
3. Sign-age to have 5 (five) available tenant spaces;
4. Colors of monument sign to match existing monument on Hwy 111;
5. Signage to be double sided – painted with stucco finish;
6. Panels to be Plexiglass or equal with vinyl lettering;
7. Logos on sign face to be permitted;
8. Signage to be 50 sq. ft. net – same as existing monument on Hwy 111 en-
trance;
9. Lettering on panels shall be subject to owner/association and City approval;
10. Prior to installation of the monument sign, the applicant shall submit a sign
permit to the Planning Department for review of final sign location.
1. All window lettering is subject to owner/association and City approval;
2. Window lettering not to exceed 25% of window area of the business front –
excluding frame area;
3. Window lettering to machine cut vinyl lettering;
4. Window lettering may be face or reverse/second surface mount or face ap-
plied. If tinting prevails on window, it is recommended that a face application pro-
cess is used;
5. Lettering color and type style is subject to owner/association and City ap-
proval;
A sign application consistent with this program shall consist of the following:
For each proposes sign application on the building, the following shall be speci-
fied or drawn to scale and dimensioned plans:
A) A dimensioned location of each sign in the building and/or property;
B) Sign dimensions including: letter height, color, sign length and sign projec-
tion from the building;
C) Color scheme;
D) Type style or graphic style;
E) Materials being used;
F) Method of installation/attachment/cross section;
G) Site plan indicating the location of the occupant space on the site;
H) Fabrication and installation details;
All permits for sign (s) and their installation may be obtained by the owner, agent
and/or sign contractor. But, must be installed by a state licensed contractor repre-
sentative (s).
No sign shall be erected, constructed, installed, displayed, altered, placed or main-
tained except in conformance with Sign Program. In case of any conflict between
the provisions of this program and any other provisions of Chapter 9. 160 of the
City Zoning Ordinance, the City Ordinance shall prevail.
1. Conformity of the Sign Program established for the center including fabrica-
tion and method of installation;
2. Complete information: (1) Contractor’s name, (2) company name, (3) address,
(4) City license number (5) and workers compensation number. To secure the own-
er’s approval, three (3) copies of the design drawing of the signage must be sub-
mitted directly to the owner for owner approval;
Final Inspection of Sign Installation:
1. The installing sign contractor shall call the City for a final inspection after
having installed the sign;
2. The Final Inspection Card must be maintained on file with the sign contrac-
tor and a copy given to owner/owner’s tenant upon installation. Any and all cita-
tions that may prevail will be the responsibility of the sign contractor;
3. Signs that deviate from this Sign Program will be removed at the own-
er/owners tenant’s expense and may be subject to City citations and/or legal con-
sequences
YOUR SIGNATURE ACKNOWLEDGES FULL
APPROVAL OF DESIGN CONTENT AND
LAYOUT, RELEASING SIGN*A*RAMA FROM
RESPONSIBILITY IN REGARD TO
INCORRECT DESIGN AND INFORMATION.
THE COLORS SHOWN ARE ONLY
REPRESENTATIVE OF ACTUAL PMS
COLOR CALL OUTS. FINAL COLOR WILL
BE MATCHED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE,
COMMENSURATE WITH MATERIALS USED.
THIS DESIGN IS PROPRIETARY PROPERTY
AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT THE
EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF
SIGN*A*RAMA.
41945 BOARDWALK, SUITE LPALM DESERT, CA 92211PH 760.776.9907FX 760.776.9844
Date: 11-18-21
Job#: 108965
Salesperson: JM
Graphic Artist: DW
MATERIAL
COLOR
SIZE
APPROVAL SIGNATURE
DATE
12’ x 6’
10’ x 3’
Site Map
N/A
West Elevation
10’ x 3’10’ x 3’12’ x 6’10’ x 3’10’ x 3’
12’ x 6’12’ x 6’
Day View Night View
SPECIFICATIONS:
Halo Lit Reverse Channel Letter
LED Illuminated
Font: TBD by Tenants
Colors: TBD by Tenants
HALO LIT REVERSE CHANNEL LETTERS NOT TO EXCEED
6’ IN HEIGHT & 12’ IN LENGTH OR 72 SQ.FT
HALO LIT REVERSE CHANNEL LETTERS
NOT TO EXCEED 40 SQ.FT
YOUR SIGNATURE ACKNOWLEDGES FULL
APPROVAL OF DESIGN CONTENT AND
LAYOUT, RELEASING SIGN*A*RAMA FROM
RESPONSIBILITY IN REGARD TO
INCORRECT DESIGN AND INFORMATION.
THE COLORS SHOWN ARE ONLY
REPRESENTATIVE OF ACTUAL PMS
COLOR CALL OUTS. FINAL COLOR WILL
BE MATCHED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE,
COMMENSURATE WITH MATERIALS USED.
THIS DESIGN IS PROPRIETARY PROPERTY
AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT THE
EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF
SIGN*A*RAMA.
41945 BOARDWALK, SUITE LPALM DESERT, CA 92211PH 760.776.9907FX 760.776.9844
Date: 11-18-21
Job#: 108965
Salesperson: JM
Graphic Artist: DW
MATERIAL
COLOR
SIZE
APPROVAL SIGNATURE
DATE
15’-3” x 4’x7”
Site Map
N/A
Day View Night View
SPECIFICATIONS:
Halo Lit Reverse Channel Letter
LED Illuminated
Font: TBD by Tenants
Colors: TBD by Tenants
15’-3” x 4’-7”
MAXIMUM
South Elevation North Elevation
257”