INTRODUCTION

The applicant requests Architectural Review Board approval for the proposed color of an existing office building and four wall signs identifying the new corporate offices of internet provider Google.

Recommendation

Approve with conditions.

Zoning District / Relevant Specific Plans or Guidelines

C3 (Downtown Commercial) District / None

Historic Resources Inventory Designation

The subject property is not listed on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory.

CEQA Status

The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15311 (a), Class 11, of the State Implementation CEQA Guidelines in that the project involves the construction or replacement of minor accessory structures (on-premise signs) to existing commercial, industrial or institutional facilities.

Relevant Permit History / Prior Action (ARB)

05ARB-574 The Architectural Review Board reviewed the application at the January 23^rd meeting. The application was continued to allow the applicant to provide clear dimensioning of the proposed sign locations, and to allow staff to evaluate the Board’s authority to request the modification of registered trademark colors.

03ARB-178: The Architectural Review Board, at their May 19, 2003 hearing, approved sign plans and a modification to a previously approved sign program for an existing commercial building.

98ARB-057: Architectural Review Board approval of sign plans for Oracle Corporation on March 16, 1998.

95ARB-125: Architectural Review Board approval of a sign program for the subject building on July 17, 1995. The approved sign program outlined stainless steel channel letters painted in a variety of colors.

DESIGN REVIEW

Sign Plans

SIGN AREA FACTORS (PURSUANT TO SMMC 9.52)
Multi-tenant Building	No (applicant will occupy entire building).
Existing Sign Program	Yes.
Permitted Sign Area	150 SF for the building façade along Arizona Avenue. 130 SF for the building façade along Sixth Street
Existing Sign Area	None.
Proposed Sign Area (this application)	86.24 SF
Total Sign Area Upon Completion	86.24 SF
Total Number of New Signs	Four (4).
Compliance	Yes.

Sign A “Google”

Proposed Sign Type: Wall, Channel Letters-illuminated by fluorescent upbeam system from canopy

Proposed Dimensions (Area): 2 @ 3.7’ H x 10.5’ L = (77.9 SF)

Proposed Colors: 18 gauge stainless steel painted in the “Google” specified pantones: blue, red, green, yellow.

Sign B “Google”

Proposed Sign Type: Wall, Channel Letters

Proposed Dimensions (Area): 2 @ 1.22’ H x 3.43’ L = (8.4 SF)

Proposed Colors: Solid aluminum, grain brushed face, sand blasted edges.

STAFF ANALYSIS

This application was originally presented before the Architectural Review Board at the December 5^th, 2005 hearing. At that hearing, the applicant requested a continuance to address several design issues that concerned the Board. Specifically, the Board members concurred that the color selection of the sign, although consistent with Google’s corporate colors, were not creatively integrated with the building colors and design. To this end, the applicant expressed interest in returning to the board with a revised submittal that included new building colors, as well as more specific information relating to the signs’ location, illumination, and color.

The applicant has responded to the Board’s comments by submitting a modified plan that proposes to repaint the building using a three-tone color scheme of light, medium and dark gray. The building’s principal color will be medium gray, which will be applied to the primary wall planes. Light gray will adorn the wall panels interspersed between the second level windows, and dark gray will embellish the projecting canopy features at the ground, second, and third levels. The applicant has provided several photographs of surrounding structures to illustrate the proposal’s neighborhood compatibility.

Additional refinements include the replacement of the ground level multi-colored “Google” wall sign with one that is brushed aluminum. Staff believes this is an improvement over the original proposal in that brushed aluminum will integrate better with the building’s dark marble façade. As part of the revised plans, the applicant has also clearly articulated the precise locations of the proposed second level wall signs in order to ensure control over the aesthetic of the building during the installation process.

Staff is generally supportive of the applicant’s proposal, but maintains that brushed aluminum (or stainless steel) channel letters would be more appropriate to the building design and materials. However, the applicant has submitted an application that has improved upon the original design in that the new gray building colors are compatible with the proposed sign color palette, works well within the neighborhood context, and therefore merits recommendation from the City Planning department

RECOMMENDATION

Planning staff recommends that the Architectural Review Board approve ARB application 05-574 subject to the condition below:

CONDITIONS:

1. This approval shall expire when the administrative or discretionary entitlements previously granted by an associated approval have lapsed. If no such permit has been issued, this approval shall expire one year from its effective date, unless appealed or otherwise implemented pursuant to applicable municipal regulations.

2. The Architectural Review Board’s approval, conditions of approval, or denial of this application may be appealed to the Planning Commission if the appeal is filed with the Zoning Administrator within ten consecutive days following the date of the Architectural Review Board’s determination in the manner provided in Chapter 9.32, Section 9.32.160.

Attachments:

Applicant’s Submittal Material