TO:
Honorable Planning Commission Chair and Commissioners
THROUGH:
Masa Alkire, Community Development Director
FROM:
Adam Finestone, Planning Manager
Jaehee Yoon, Senior Planner
Johnathon Masi, Associate Planner
SUBJECT:Title
Study session to discuss proposed code amendments related to portable signs and benches adjacent to commercial businesses in the Coastal Zone
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission conduct a study session to discuss and provide direction on proposed code amendments related to portable signs and benches adjacent to commercial businesses in the Coastal Zone.
BACKGROUND:
On October 7, 2025, the City Council requested a future agenda item to discuss potential code amendments to allow A-frame signs and benches in the public right-of-way as a means to promote business engagement in the Downtown area.
On February 3, 2026, staff presented the agendized item to the City Council for discussion and was directed to initiate code amendments to allow portable signs on both public and private property, and benches in the public right-of-way.
On June 24, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a study session to discuss and provide input on proposed code amendments related to portable signs and benches. Staff presented draft provisions for portable signs on public and private property, and suggested no changes be made to regulating benches in the right-of-way. A copy of the staff report from the June 24, 2026, Planning Commission meeting is included as Attachment 4 to this report.
After discussion, the Planning Commission provided the following input and requested staff to report back at a future study session:
* Remove limitations on pedestrian signs
* Add standards regulating portable sign materials and permitted locations (when placed in the right-of-way)
* Provide additional information on applicable federal, state, and local requirements (Americans with...
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