TO: Chair and Members of the Design Review Committee
THRU: Hayden Beckman, Planning Manager
FROM: Anna Eichelberger, Assistant Planner
1. Subject
title.
A request to install one new illuminated wall sign on a contributing commercial building located in the Old Towne Historic District located at 59 W. Plaza Square (Design Review No. 26-0223)
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2. Summary
body
The applicant proposes to install one new illuminated wall-mounted sign for My Youth Aesthetics MedSpa, a new commercial business located at 59 W. Plaza Square. This property is located in the Old Towne Historic District and is designated as a contributing property.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Approve Design Review No. 26-0223.
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4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Applicant: Arthur Amezquita
Owner: Virgil G JR TR B B Nolde
Property Location: 59 W. Plaza Square
General Plan Designation: Old Towne Mixed Use-15, 6-15 du/ac
Zoning Classification: (OTMU-15) Old Towne Mixed Use-15
Existing Development: Commercial building constructed in 1910
Associated Application: None
Previous DRC Project Review: None
5. project description
The project proposal is for a new wall sign for a new tenant My Youth Aesthetics MedSpa. This project includes:
• Installation of a new aluminum wall sign with interior halo-lit illumination on the west elevation of the building. The sign dimensions are: 2 feet tall, 10 feet-9 inches wide, and a total size of 21.5 square feet. Staff is proposing a condition of approval with this project to reduce the total square sign footage to comply with the sign requirements of a maximum of 13.1 square feet, which is within the maximum allowable sign area based on the tenants’ 13-foot 5-inch street frontage. The base of the proposed sign measures 12 feet-1 inch from grade, as measured from the curb/sidewalk.
• The applicant is proposing a 4-inch-deep aluminum cabinet sign with 2-inch-deep aluminum letters, internal LEDs, and 2-inch stand-offs for a halo lit effect. The sign letters will be made of a mirror gold aluminum material and the sign backing will be painted matte taupe with a bronze finish.
• The proposed sign will be installed parallel to the brick and masonry wall using stainless steel wedge anchors embedded 2.5-inches into the wall.
6. EXISTING SITE
The site is currently developed with a one-story commercial building constructed circa 1910. The building is made of masonry and brick and features yellow brick veneer.
There are two existing light fixtures, a decorative stained-glass window, and an existing awning directly above the door on the front elevation of the building. An existing non-conforming wall sign is located on the front (east) elevation of the building and is proposed to be removed before the installation of the new sign. The existing non-conforming sign is mounted to the brick wall and appears to have existed before the DPR survey completed in 1991.
7. EXISTING AREA CONTEXT
The building is located at the northwest section of Plaza Square. The building is located in between and attached to surrounding two-story commercial businesses. The property is within the Old Towne Plaza District, and the surrounding zoning is Old Towne Mixed Use - 15. The property is not within the Santa Fe Depot Specific Plan area.
The brick commercial building resides on a 91.8’ X 96’ lot with other attached commercial businesses. Access to the rear of the building is provided by a private alley off of Olive Street. No parking is provided on-site.
8. analysis of the PROJECT
Item 1 - Internal Illumination:
The proposed sign plan contains LED modules behind the proposed aluminum letters. The Historic Preservation Design Standards (HPDS) for Old Towne prohibits internally illuminated signs; however, halo-lit channel letters are allowed. The applicant’s proposed sign has an aluminum face painted matte taupe with a bronze finish and 2-inch-deep mirror gold aluminum letters with 2-inch stand offs for the internal LEDs to create a halo effect that resembles halo-lit channel letters. The sign illumination will be using maximum 3000k LED’s which is in the range for a warm color temperature as the Historic Preservation Design Standards recommend. See page 4 of Attachment 3 Project Plans for day/night renderings.
Item 2 - Removal of Historic Awning:
The building currently features an unused historic awning frame above the entrance on the front (east) elevation. As the plans do not propose replacement of the awning cover, staff recommends removal of the existing awning frame if the cover is not replaced by the time of obtaining building permits.
The proposed wall sign with the recommended conditions meets all city code requirements for signage and staff recommends approval.
9. ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION
None.
10. PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice was provided to owners and tenants within 300 feet of the project on or before October 22, 2026, and the site was posted with a notice on or before that date.
11. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities) because the project consists of adding new signage to an existing commercial property. There is no environmental public review required for a Categorical Exemption.
12. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUIRED FINDINGS
Based on the following Findings and statements in support of such Findings, staff recommends the DRC make a final determination on the proposed project with recommended conditions (Orange Municipal Code 17.10.070.G).
1. In the Old Towne Historic District, the proposed work conforms to the prescriptive standards and design criteria referenced and/or recommended by the DRC or other reviewing body for the project (OMC 17.10.070.G.1).
Facts supporting c.
As conditioned, the proposed project is in conformance with the HPDS for Old Towne for commercial signage. The sign size, placement, and lighting meet the requirements set forth in the Design Standards and Orange Municipal Code. As such, the new signs shall have no adverse impact on the appearance or character of the Old Towne Historic District.
2. The project design upholds community aesthetics through the use of an internally consistent, integrated design theme and is consistent with all adopted specific plans, applicable design standards, and their required findings (OMC 17.10.07.G.3).
The proposed sign, as conditioned, conforms to the prescriptive standards and design criteria set forth in the HPDS for Old Towne and Orange Municipal Code Section 17.36, as described above. The signage is proposed to be placed in a location appropriate for signage within a historic district and will not detract from the appearance of the property. What appears to be an abandoned awning frame shall be conditioned to be removed, or the awning fabric shall be replaced as a part of the sign installation, and as such, staff has added suggested conditions of approval.
3. In any National Register Historic District, the proposed work complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and guidelines (OMC 17.10.07.G.2).
Projects found to be in conformance with the HPDS are generally considered to be in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. As conditioned, the proposed sign is compatible with the building in its placement, size, design, and materials and will not negatively impact the streetscape of the Old Towne Historic District.
13. CONDITIONS
The approval of this project is subject to the following conditions:
1. This project is approved as a precise plan. All work shall conform in substance and be maintained in general conformance with the approved plans and in the project case file, including modifications required by the conditions of approval, and as recommended for approval by the Design Review Committee. After the application has been approved, if changes are proposed regarding the location or alteration of any use or structure, a changed plan may be submitted to the Community Development Director for approval. If the Community Development Director determines that the proposed change complies with the provisions and the spirit and intent of the approval action, and that the action would have been the same for the changed plan as for the approved plan, the Community Development Director may approve the changed plan without requiring a new public meeting. If the Community Development Director determines that any proposed change is substantial, he may refer the plans to the Design Review Committee for subsequent review and determination.
2. The applicant agrees, as a condition of City’s approval of Design Review No. 26-0223, to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, at applicant’s expense, the City, its officers, agents, and employees (“City”) from and against any claim, action or proceeding brought against the City, including, but not limited to, any claim, action or proceeding commenced within the time period provided in Government Code Section 66499.37 to attack, review, set aside, void or annul the City’s approval, to challenge the determination made by the City under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) or to challenge the reasonableness, legality or validity of any condition attached hereto. City shall promptly notify applicant of any such claim, action or proceeding to which the City receives notice and to cooperate fully with the applicant in the defense thereof. Applicant shall reimburse the City for any and all costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, court costs and attorney’s fees that the City may be required to pay, including any expenses ordered by a court or expenses incurred through the Office of the City Attorney in connection with said claim, action or proceeding. City may, in its sole discretion, participate in the defense of any claim, action or proceeding but such participation shall not relieve applicant of the obligations of this condition. In the event the applicant is required to defend City in connection with such claim, action or proceeding, City shall have the right to approve counsel to so defend the City, approve all significant decisions concerning the manner in which the defense is conducted and approve any all settlements, which approval(s) shall not be unreasonably withheld. The obligations set forth herein remain in full force and effect throughout all stages of litigation including any and all appeals of any lower court judgment rendered in the proceeding. Further, applicant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City for all costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this provision.
3. The applicant shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including all City regulations. Violation of any of those laws in connection with the use may be cause for revocation of this permit.
4. The final approved conditions of approval shall be reprinted on the first or second page of the construction documents when submitting to the Building Division for the plan check process.
5. Construction permits shall be obtained for all future construction work, as required by the City of Orange, Building Division. Failure to obtain the required building permits will be cause for revocation of this permit.
6. An encroachment permit from Public Works Department is required if any work during the construction of the sign will obstruct the public right-of-way
7. If not utilized, project approval expires 24 months from the approval date. Extensions of time may be granted in accordance with OMC Section 17.08.060.
8. The existing awning frame shall be removed if the awning fabric has not been replaced by the time the applicant obtains building permits for the proposed sign installation.
9. The total sign area shall be revised to comply with the Historic Preservation Design Standards, which limit sign area to one square foot per lineal foot of store frontage. Based on the 13 foot-5 inch store frontage, the maximum permitted sign area for this location is 13.5 square feet.
10. The existing decorative stained glass on the east front elevation of the building shall remain unobstructed and shall not be covered or obscured by the proposed sign.
14. ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 DPR Form
• Attachment 2 Vicinity Map
• Attachment 3 Project Plans
• Attachment 4 Site Photos