Planning Commission approves sign program for new multi-tenant building at 121 East Whittier Boulevard

The La Habra Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve Resolution No. 26-14, adopting Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 26-0006, a sign program for a new four-suite commercial building at 121 East Whittier Boulevard (Assessor’s Parcel No. 017-293-34).

Assistant planner Gus Grunow delivered the staff report and described the package as including one freestanding monument sign, two wall signs and four canopy signs for the 0.8-acre parcel. "Staff recommends the planning commission approve this project subject to the conditions of approval," Grunow said. The staff recommendation includes a condition requiring a revised landscape plan to identify a new location for a tree displaced by the monument sign.

Grunow explained the specific departures from the municipal sign standards that made the CUP necessary: the municipal code ties wall-sign area to 15% of wall height and limits maximum lengths; the code’s 70% sizing convention applies to the valance (front) of a canopy, but the applicant proposes signage on top of the canopy shed, which the code does not explicitly regulate. Grunow noted the proposed canopy widths range roughly from 19 to 21 feet and a maximum height of 3 feet under the applicant’s calculations.

After questions from commissioners about the visual difference between 70% and 75% area calculations for canopy signage, commissioners discussed whether the sign code should be updated to avoid CUPs for similar requests. No public speakers addressed the hearing. The commission’s 5-0 vote approves the CUP; the action will become final in 10 working days unless appealed to City Council.