Trudy La Monica seeks approval of a Major Use Permit Renewal for Major Use Permit 97-05 and Minor Use Permit 99-17 located at 2560 East State Hwy 20, Nice, CA 95464. On September 25, 1997, the Planning Commission granted approval of a double-faced billboard for off-site advertising on the designated parcel zoned “C3” (Service Commercial). The structure features two faces, each measuring 240 square feet, and stands 22 feet tall, comprising a 12-foot post supporting a 10-foot-wide billboard. This permit was issued with a term limit of two years. The Major Use Permit was subsequently renewed (via Minor Use Permit 99-17) by the Planning Commission in 1999 for an additional ten years. It was further renewed for an additional five-year period in 2009, 2015, and 2020, in accordance with Lake County’s Zoning Ordinance, Article 45.22, which states that billboard sign permits shall be valid for five years.
A Mitigated Negative Declaration was approved for the original Major Use Permit (UP 97-05). The proposed Major Use Permit Renewal is exempt from further environmental review, pursuant to the California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”, Class 1, which includes the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
The applicant does not intend to make any alterations to the existing sign or its support structures as part of this renewal request. Staff requests the Lake County Planning Commission approve the use permit renewal for a five-year term and find that the project is exempt from further environmental review.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends the Planning Commission:
A. Find that the proposed Major Use Permit Renewal is exempt from CEQA under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”, Class 1 the proposed Major Use Permit Renewal is exempt from further environmental review. Therefore, no additional environmental review is necessary, as supported by the previously stated findings.
B. Approve the Major Use Permit Renewal (UPX 24-02) for a term of five years with the following findings:
1. The project is compatible with surrounding land uses, including residential areas and service commercial uses, as identified in the Lake County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
2. The project is consistent with the Lake County General Plan, including the Upper Lake-Nice Area Plan, and complies with the applicable sections of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance, particularly Article 45.22, which governs off-site advertising signs.
3. The project is consistent with CEQA, and the previously approved Negative Declaration (IS 02-41) is still valid for the project, as there are no significant new environmental impacts or changes in circumstances.
4. The proposed use is consistent with the zoning designation of "C3-DR" Service Commercial District, and the billboard is not expected to adversely affect neighboring properties.
5. The project complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including the California Outdoor Advertising Act and Caltrans' regulations for outdoor signage.