Title
Report regarding consideration of Master Sign Program and Design Review for Gateway Campus at 901 Gateway Boulevard in the Business and Technology Park-High (BTP-H) and East 101 Transit Core (ETC) Zoning Districts in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC) and determination that the project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Victoria Kim, Associate Planner)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission take the following action:
1. Determine the proposed Master Sign Program (SIGNS 23-0018) for Gateway Campus located at 901 Gateway Boulevard is categorically exempt from CEQA per Section 15311, Class 11; and
2. Approve the Master Sign Progrma based on the attached Draft Findings and subject to the attached Draft Conditions of Approval.
MOTION TO ADOPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Move to determine the project is exempt from CEQA and approve the Master Sign Program subject to the attached draft Findings and draft Conditions of Approval.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Proposed Master Sign Program contains three sign types: Monument, Wall Mounted, and Skyline Signs. Skyline signs for individual tenant ID signs may vary on tenants’ logos and fonts, but no variation in size or layout for maximum recognition and wayfinding effectiveness. The total area of the proposed signs will be approximately 9,620 square feet.
ZONING CONSISTENCY
South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC) Section 20.360.010 (Master Sign Program) describes that the purpose of a Master Sign Program is to provide a method for an applicant to integrate the design and placement of signs within a project with the overall development design to achieve a more unified appearance. The Master Sign Program consists of the following sign types:
Monument Signage:
• Primary and Address Signs - The Master Sign Program includes primary (Sign Type A1) and tenant identity pylons (Sign Type A2) which will identify the project campus site and entries for walking visitors and vehicular drivers. Two primary signs are located at the two junctions, Gateway and Oyster Point Boulevards and Corporate Drive and Gateway Boulevard entrance. Five address signs are equally distributed along Gateway Boulevard with the clear identifiable address signs for vehicular safety. All primary and address signs will be illuminated.
• Wayfinding Signs - The vehicles directional signs (Sign Type A4) and freestanding/blade entry ID (Sign Type P2) signs are located along drive-aisles. Pedestrian directional signs (Sign Type B1 and B2) and amenity identity and service area signs (Sign Type A7 and A9) are located along pedestrian routes throughout the campus. All way-finding signs, except for service area signs, will be illuminated.
• Tenant Listing Signs - Freestanding tenant listing signs (Sign Type A3) are located at entrances of all campus buildings to identify building addresses and major occupants and all the tenant listing signs will be illuminated.
• Transportation Signs - Taxi/Rideshare identity (Sign Type A5) and shuttle identity (Sign Type A6) signs are fabricated aluminum cabinets with internal structural frames at street corners and driveways.
• Regulations and Regulatory Signs - Rules and Regulations signs (Sign Type A8) are in the middle of Gateway Campus where pedestrians can access, and regulatory signs (Sign Type A10) will be located near entry access points and entrances to parking structures.
Wall Mounted Signage:
11 address signs (Sign Type T2) and 6 parking entrance identity signs (Sign Type P1) are proposed. The wall mounted address signs will provide identification of all buildings in the campus and each sign will be approximately 5 square feet in size. The parking entrance signs will be located at major parking areas and approximately 10 square feet in size.
Skyline Signage:
Tenant ID signs (Sign Type T1) are proposed to identify major tenants for recognition from a campus-wide view and/or larger viewing distance. The proposed 25 skyline identification signs will be fabricated aluminum channel letters with face illumination and maximum 10 feet tall and 42 feet long (420 square feet in each sign area).
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
The Master Sign Program went to the Design Review Board (DRB) meeting on October 17, 2023, and the DRB recommended the application for approval.
GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE
The Project property is Oyster Point Coastal Commercial and East of 101 Transit Core as General Plan land use designations. These designations are in East of 101 sub-area, the largest sub-area designed for campus environments. The Master Sign Program would be compatible and consistent with the intent of the General Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project has been evaluated to be categorically exempt from environmental review under the provision of CEQA, Section 15311(a), On-premise Signs.
CONCLUSION
The Master Sign Program would form an integrated signage at 901 Gateway Boulevard to improve cohesive atmosphere in the Gateway Campus. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the Master Sign Program, based on the attached draft Findings and Conditions of Approval.
Attachments:
1. Draft Findings
2. Draft Conditions of Approval
3. Master Sign Program Plan Set