The Turlock Planning Commission will consider a massive new highway sign for Days Inn and hold a workshop on the city's sign ordinance during a light agenda at their regular Thursday meeting.
The Days Inn request would see developers remove the existing freeway-oriented pole sign, replacing the display with a new 85-foot tall, 38-foot wide multi-tenant sign – larger than the signs for Monte Vista Crossings or Countryside Plaza.
The current sign, approved only as a temporary sign, does not meet city standards. The City has been engaged in code enforcement proceedings with the property owner since July 2010, discussing various options to bring the sign into compliance.
A total of nine tenants would be displayed on each side of a 1,319 square foot sign, located at 185 N. Tully Rd., near Main Street and Highway 99, per the developer proposal. But that proposal does not conform to numerous city standards, in terms of location, height, size, and design.
The developer has proposed an alternate, smaller sign – 998 square feet in total size, still larger than Monte Vista Crossings' signs – but that sign still does not meet city design guidelines. All sign proposals include signage for the in-progress development located just east on Main Street, including a long-delayed Mi Pueblo Food Center and a Family Dollar; city standards do not allow off-site signage.
Turlock staff is recommending that commissioners take no action on the proposal, giving applicants time to draft a new, smaller design for the sign.
Later on Thursday, commissioners will hold a workshop to discuss a long-planned revision to Turlock's sign standards. The workshop will allow commissioners to take comment on the plan from local businesses and the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, finding out what business owners would like to see in a revised set of signage laws.
Planning commissioners are also expected to hear an update on the Highway 165 Project Study Report.
The Turlock Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Yosemite Room of Turlock City Hall, 156 S. Broadway.
