SAPR 2024-0004 Chick-Fil-A Sign Program (NEC Hwy 111 & Dune Palms Rd)
December 16, 2024
Patrick Faranal
National Sign and Marketing Corporation
13580 5th St.
Chino, CA 91710
SUBJECT: SIGN PROGRAM 2024-0004 NEC HWY 111 & DUNE PALMS ROAD
Dear Mr. Faranal:
The Design and Development Department has reviewed and approved your request to establish
the NEC Hwy 111 & Dune Palms Road Sign Program, for a new Chick Fil A Restaurant. 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 December 31, 2024.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (760) 777-7086.
Sincerely,
Sijifredo Fernandez
Associate Planner
Design and Development
Enclosures:
o Staff Report
cc. Danny Castro, Design and Development Director
STAFF REPORT
DATE:DECEMBER 16, 2024
CASE NO: SIGN PROGRAM 2024-0004
APPLICANT: NATIONAL SIGN AND MARKETING CORPORATION
PROPERTY OWNER: BP DUNES PALMS, LP
REQUEST: APPROVE A SIGN PROGRAM FOR THE NORTH EAST
CORNER OF HIGHWAY 111 & DUNE PALMS ROAD 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 (G) OF THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), IN THAT THIS
PROPOSAL INCLUDES ON-PREMISE SIGNS.
LOCATION: 79520 HIGHWAY 111
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The applicant proposes to create the NEC Hwy 111 & Dune Palms Road Sign
Program (Program) to establish sign allowances for the new Chick Fil A
Restaurant.
BACKGROUND
The 2.36-acre project site is proposed for a commercial drive through restaurant (Chick
Fil A) located at the northeast corner of Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road. The NEC
Hwy 111 & Dune Palms Road Sign Program was prepared in order to allow three or
more permanent signs per the La Quinta Municipal Code (LQMC) 9.160.090.
PROPOSAL AND ANALYSIS
The applicant proposes a Sign Program for the Chick Fil A Restaurant to establish
allowances for three permanent wall identification signs on the building and one
monument sign along Highway 111. The Program also allows for greater sign area than
currently allowed per the LQMC, which is allowed through a sign program. The building
signs are allowed at a maximum of 50 square feet (sf) each and can be placed in some
general locations throughout the building.
The proposed monument sign is internally illuminated and will match the approved
architectural style of the building. The monument sign face area will be 71.3 sf and the
total monument sign will be 8 ft in height by approximately 13 feet in width.
The proposed program will not substantially alter the aesthetics of the project site and
will provide visibility to the new Chick Fil A restaurant. This proposed sign program is
consistent with other drive through restaurants along Highway 111 and the number of
proposed signs allow for greater visibility. 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 (g) (Existing Facilities) of the
California Environmental Quality Act in that the proposed project includes on-premise
signs.
Report prepared by: Sijifredo Fernandez, Associate Planner
Attachment: 1. Proposed Final Sign Program
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED DECEMBER 16, 2024
SIGN PROGRAM 2024-0004
NEC HWY 111 & DUNE PALMS ROAD SIGN PROGRAM
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
FINDINGS
1. Sign programs are authorized by the Zoning Code and the proposed sign program is
consistent with the purpose and intent of Chapter 9.160.
2. The sign program would allow greater sign area than allowed per the code in order to
provide visibility for patrons traveling east or westbound on Highway 111 and
northbound on Dune Palms Road.
The sign program 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 are similar in design and quality
with the existing signage in surrounding commercial centers.
b. The buildings they identify. The design of the proposed signs matches the
approved architectural design of the building.
c. Surrounding development. Implementation of the planned sign program will not
adversely affect surrounding land uses or obscure adjacent conforming signs.
The proposed sign program design elements are consistent in size and scale
with the existing signage in surrounding commercial centers.
The sign program allows additional area in order to:
a. Achieve an effect which is essentially architectural. The building signage
provides reasonable architectural designs compatible with the proposed
building.
b. Allow a sign compatible with other conforming signs in the vicinity. The new
signs will be similar in design with the other surrounding commercial tenant
signs.
c. To allow a sign to be in proper scale with its building or use. The individual
business will be allowed three permanent wall signs and a monument sign
which are properly scaled for the building size.
3. Additional signs are being proposed to facilitate good design balance. The number of
permanent wall signs do not exceed more than one sign per elevation.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
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. 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.
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED DECEMBER 16, 2024
SIGN PROGRAM 2024-0004
NEC HWY 111 & DUNE PALMS ROAD SIGN PROGRAM
Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
2. Any subsequent 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.
3. Tenants shall obtain sign permits for signage permitted under this sign program.
4. Sign Program 2024-0004 shall comply with all applicable terms, conditions, and
mitigation measures for the following related approval(s):
Environmental Assessment 2023-0001
Tentative Parcel Map 2023-0001 (Tentative Parcel Map 38668)
Site Development Permit 2023-0003
Minor Adjustment 2023-0001
ATTACHMENT 1