REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Continuance to the August 13, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting, for an Action on a Conditional Use Permit (PLN24-00424) to Construct a Single-Sided Digital LED Billboard as Part of a Billboard Relocation Agreement and a Minor Modification to Reduce to Required 1,500 Linear Feet Distance from Another Electronic Digital Display Message Sign, and Recommendation to the City Council to Approve Adoption of the Billboard Relocation Agreement, Located at 1700 Duane Avenue.
Report
DISCUSSION
A publicly noticed Planning Commission Hearing was held on April 16, 2025, to consider the proposed Conditional Use Permit and Minor Modification. Following staff and applicant presentations, Planning Commission expressed traffic and vehicle safety concerns in relation to the frequency of billboards/electronic message signs, message hold time, and illumination. The Planning Commission requested staff and applicant to research safety and traffic studies from the Department of Transportation, Caltrans, and other Bay Area jurisdictions to understand how the frequency of billboards, message hold time, and illumination impacts vehicle and public safety. The item was continued to the June 11, 2025, Planning Commission hearing.
Planning staff and the applicant are working to research and compile the requested information, but need additional time to complete the request. Staff requests that the Planning Commission reconvene the Public Hearing and then immediately continue this item to the August 13, 2025, Planning Commission meeting. The applicant has been informed of the proposed continuance.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
No environmental determination is necessary for a continuance. An environmental determination will be included with the report for the August 13, 2025, Planning Commission meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City for processing the requested application other than administrative staff time and expense typically covered by processing fees paid by the applicant.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
On March 27, 2025, a notice of public hearing on this item was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project site. Since the Planning Commission continued the item to June 11, 2025, at the April 16th Planning Commission hearing, additional noticing was not required for the June 11 meeting.
Should the Planning Commission reconvene the public hearing and then continue the hearing for this project to the August 13, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, additional noticing will not be required.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission reconvene the public hearing on this item and then immediately continue the proposed project to the August 13, 2025, Planning Commission meeting.
Staff
Prepared by: Meha Patel, Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Alexander Abbe, Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Lesley Xavier, Planning Manager