HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB 2015-03-17 #2CITY OF
Community Development Department— Planning Division
Meeting Date: March 17, 2015
Case Numbers: ED15-014
Project Planner: Sarjit Dhaliwal — (415) 485-3397
Agenda Item: 0/
REPORT TO DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
SUBJECT: 655 Irwin Street (Sprouts Farmers Market) — Environmental and Design Review Permit to
allow an approx. 247 sq. ft. (23.5'x105) mural on the front (northerly) window of a new
grocery store tenant. The mural depicts an agricultural scene; APN: 013-032-05; Planned
Development (PD1847) District; La Terra, owners; Noble Signs, applicants; Francisco Blvd
West Neighborhood.
SUMMARY
Sprouts Farmers Market (Sprouts), a grocery store, is going to open at 655 Irwin Street, which was
vacated by Pacific Sales. Sprouts has submitted a request to install a mural on the front store window
facing the parking lot.
Murals are considered a "Major Physical Improvement" pursuant to San Rafael Municipal Zoning Code
Chapter 14.25.040.A.5 and, thus, require a Major Design Review Permit. Major Design Review Permits
require the review and recommendation of the Design Review Board and approval of the Planning
Commission.
Overall, staff recommends that the mural design proposed by Sprouts at this location results in an
appropriate design and message for the building and its surroundings, and would add some vibrancy to
the fairly non-descript retail building. Neither the Zoning Ordinance nor the Non -Residential Design
Guidelines contain specific criteria related to murals. Therefore, in the analysis section below, staff has
identified a few standard design principles that should be considered in the review of the mural. The
Board is asked to review the proposed mural and offer its comments to the Planning Commission on
the review criteria.
BACKGROUND
Site Description & Setting:
The project is proposed on a 24,230 sq. ft. retail building within Shamrock Center located at northwest
corner of Irwin Street and Lincoln Ave. Shamrock Center is developed with two more retail buildings
and provides a total of 264 parking spaces where 261 are required. Sprouts needs 97 parking spaces.
Other uses located within Shamrock Center are Staples, Starbucks, a furniture store, a gym and an
auto repair business. The mural project is proposed to be installed on the front window of north side
Sprouts building elevation, facing the parking lot. The building exterior is concrete with glass in the front
of the building.
History:
Two Environmental and Design Review Permits, ED14-050 and ED14-085, for exterior modifications to
the building were approved in 2014.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Sprouts Farmers Market is a unique grocery store that specializes in farm -fresh produce purchased
from local growers as well as a full line of grocery products with natural, organic and favorite indulgence
foods a great value.
Sprouts have designed a mural theme that depicts an agricultural setting. The proposed mural design is
illustrated in Exhibit 2. It would be 23.5 -ft. wide and 10.5 -ft. tall, and mounted on the north building
fagade window facing the parking lot. The mural would be located to the right (as facing the building)
side of the building entry.
The proposed mural would be mounted on the outside of the window just like glazing and would act as
a glaze.
ANALYSIS
Painted murals would be considered signage if they include written script or pictures of a business or
items sold or services offered on site. Mural signs are further regulated under provisions of the Sign
Ordinance (Section 14.19 of the Zoning Ordinance). Painted murals that do not provide any advertising,
thus are not mural signs, are subject to a Design Review Permit (Section 25.040.A.5 of the Zoning
Ordinance).
In this particular application, the proposed mural depicts an agricultural scene and does not advertise
any products or businesses, and is therefore considered a mural and not signage. There are no design
criteria contained in the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance or Non -Residential Design Guidelines
applicable to painted murals. Given the lack of specific review criteria, staff recommends that the
common design principles should be applied and that the following items should be considered in
reviewing this mural:
1. Whether the design and colors of the mural are an integral part of, compatible with, and
complement the existing building on the site where it is proposed;
2. Whether the design and colors of the proposed mural are compatible with the character and
design of other buildings in the immediate neighborhood of the site;
3. Whether the design or message of the mural is obscene or offensive to morals; and
4. Whether there are adequate measures to maintain the mural and keep it clean and free of
graffiti or weather damage.
Overall, staff recommends that the design of the mural is appropriate for the site, would fit in with its
context, and is proportional with the building wall on which it is proposed. The mural would not cover
the entire front wall. The message and design of the mural does not present an offensive message. The
design of the mural was developed by Noble Signs "for Sprouts and portrays a rural landscape. The
mural would include vibrant colors that would help liven a fairly non-descript glass window.
The Board is requested to review the proposed mural and provide its recommendation on the design
and size of the mural to the Planning Commission.
NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENCE
Notice of the meeting was mailed to the property owners, businesses and residents within 300 feet of
this site, as well as the Bret Harte Community Association, 15 days prior to this Design Review Board
meeting. A public notice sign was posted in front of the subject building. As of the reproduction of this
staff report, staff has not received any comments in response to the noticing.
CONCLUSION
Overall, staff recommends that the mural design is an appropriate design and message for the building
and its surroundings, would add some vibrancy to the existing retail building.
EXHIBITS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Proposed Mural Design (Color copy distributed to DRB only)
cc: Debra Leong, Noble Signs, 9677 Rodden Road, Oakdale, CA 95361. debra(aDnoblesigns.net
Jim Draper, Bret Harte Community Association, 52 Glenaire Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901
3
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Tuesday, March 10, 2015 12:00 PM