A Sacramento zoning administrator has approved with conditions a request by Petrovich Development Co. for a variance to allow two freestanding signs – one 65 feet, the other 35 feet – in the Crocker Village shopping center.
Unless appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 days of the Feb. 20 decision, the approval will be final.
During a one-hour hearing, zoning administrator Joy Patterson listened to remarks by project planner Robbie Thacker; Brian Holloway of Holloway Land Co., representing Petrovich Development Co.; developer Paul Petrovich; builder Mike Paris of BlackPine Communities; three residents of Crocker Village; and one resident of Curtis Park.
Thacker’s staff report focused on the 35-foot overpass on Sutterville Road, which he said would prevent eastbound traffic from seeing the smaller Crocker Village signs. The report noted that the sign variance was not detrimental to health and safety and was consistent with land-use policy.
Holloway noted that developer Petrovich was willing to waive “at least two signs” in exchange for the variance allowing the 65-foot sign.
Supporting comments came from three Crocker Village residents – Kevin Miller-Coe, Shannon Baker and Alberto Martinez – who said they liked the sign’s design. Miller-Coe added that members of the Crocker Village homeowners association feel the success of the retail center will have a positive impact on property values.
“I own more homes out there than anybody, and not by design,” quipped builder Paris, who said BlackPine Communities is selling a lifestyle to Crocker Village residents. “Everyone has moved there with knowledge of the shopping center. It’s a lifestyle they have accepted and wanted.”
Curtis Park resident Nancy McKeever, the only speaker to question the variance, suggested one additional condition to the zoning administrator’s approval: Petrovich’s offer to “give up” two signs in exchange for the 65-foot sign.
Petrovich said he was willing to accept such a condition as long as the zoning administrator’s ruling was not appealed. “If it goes to the Planning Commission, I want to preserve all my rights,” he said.
Zoning administrator Patterson agreed to the condition, allowing only the two detached signs in the first two phases of development. The condition does not apply to future development in the designated “flex zone,” which could become commercial, office or residential space.
The administrator also asked Petrovich Development Co. to submit an overall signage plan to the design and review team, allowing an advance comment period before additional signs are submitted for review.