SAPR 2017-0003 Centre Pointe, Amendment No. 1 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 760.777.7000
September 11, 2017
Mr. Mike Hale
LQ Hospitality
11143 Alamo Road
Loma Linda, CA 92354
SUBJECT: SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2017-0003 (SA 2006-1005 AMD 2)
CENTRE POINTE
Dear Mr. Hale:
The Design and Development Department has reviewed and approved your request
for an amendment to the sign program at Homewood Suites at 45200 Washington
Street. 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 Friday, September 22,
2017.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (760) 777-7067.
Sincerely,
Cheri Flores
Senior Planner
Enclosures:
o Staff Report with Conditions of Approval
STAFF REPORT
DATE: SEPT 11, 2017
CASE NO: SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2017-0003 (SA 2006-1005
AMENDMENT 1)
APPLICANT: LQ HOSPITALITY
PROPERTY OWNER: LQ HOSPITALITY
REQUEST: APPROVE A SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT FOR THE
HOMEWOOD SUITES, 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 (a) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA), IN THAT THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDES
ON-PREMISE SIGNS.
LOCATION: 45200 WASHINGTON STREET
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
•The applicant proposes to amend the Centre Pointe Sign Program to allow for
one additional sign, with additional sign area, on the northern most hotel
building.
BACKGROUND
Centre Pointe is an approximate 50-acre mixed commercial development site located
at the southeast corner of Washington Street and Miles Avenue. Homewood Suites is
located within this development. The Centre Pointe Sign Program was prepared in
order to allow monument signs in excess of code standards. Since its initial approval
in 2006, it has not been amended. The original Sign Program approval included nine
signage locations on the property.
PROPOSAL AND ANALYSIS
The applicant requests an amendment to the existing sign program in order to allow
for an additional sign location not allowed in the sign program and to allow this sign
to be larger than code standards (Attachment 1). The proposal includes placing a 107
sq. ft. building mounted sign on the northernmost hotel building in order to increase
visibility for the hotel. The code states that building mounted signs can be up to 50 sq.
ft. Adjustments to sign standards are allowed to accommodate businesses with
exceptional circumstances. Given the orientation of the property at the
Washington/Miles intersection, the additional sign area would be allowed in order to
overcome a disadvantage as a result of the orientation of the sign location, and to
increase visibility for patrons traveling southbound on Washington Street. The new
sign would also be in character with the design of the existing signs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Design and Development Department has determined that this project is exempt
from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (a) of the California
Environmental Quality Act in that the proposed project includes on-premise signs.
Report prepared by: Cheri Flores, Senior Planner
Attachment: 1. Proposed Sign Program Amendment Centre Pointe
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2017-0003 (SA 06-1005 AMD 1)
CENTRE POINTE SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT
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FINDINGS
1. Consistency with General Plan
The project site is designated Tourist Commercial on the General Plan land use map
and the proposed sign program amendment further promotes tourist 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.
b. The buildings they identify. This may be accomplished by utilizing materials,
colors, or design motif included in the building being identified.
The sign program amendment would allow additional sign area in order to
overcome a disadvantage as a result of the orientation of the sign location, and to
increase visibility for patrons traveling southbound on Washington Street.
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
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2017-0003 (SA 06-1005 AMD 1)
CENTRE POINTE SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT
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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.
3. The applicant must comply with all conditions of approval from Sign Program 2006-
1005.