The propose of this chapter is to guide the physical development of various commercial retail facilities which together are known as the town center east. Architectural, site plan and landscape designs shall contribute to a sense of unity among individual retail uses. The goal shall be a strong, visual identity for the Signal Hill town center east.

   Additional goals include the following:

   A.   To maximize retail use of the site for the purpose of providing convenient shopping and for the purpose of providing sales tax revenues to the city;

   B.   To provide an area for the development of retail and related uses which are compatible with one another and with existing or planned adjacent uses;

   C.   To develop standards to encourage quality design and construction;

   D.   To achieve a cohesiveness in design through concepts so as to suggest an identity for the site as well as for the city; and

   E.   To provide a circulation system designed to accommodate both automobile and alternative transportation.

(Ord. 93-03-1152 § 8 (part): Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all property shown as SP-1 town center east specific plan on the official zoning map.

(Ord. 93-03-1152 § 8 (part): Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   The town center east specific plan encompasses an area of approximately thirty-eight acres located on the southeast corner of Cherry Avenue and Willow Street and represented on the official zoning map of the city in conformity with Exhibit 1 of "town center east specific plan--exhibits," hereinafter "exhibits" on file with the department of planning and community development and by reference made part hereof.

(Ord. 93-03-1152 § 8 (part): Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   A.   Principal Uses. The following uses shall be permitted within the SP-1 town center east specific plan area. Unlisted uses shall be prohibited.

   1.   Retail Sales Uses:

   Apparel;

   Art galleries and art supplies;

   Baked goods provided that all products manufactured on premises shall be sold only on premises;

   Books and stationery;

   Card and gift shop;

   Confectionery;

   Cosmetics;

   Craft and hobby supplies;

   Dairy products;

   Delicatessen and meat market (no processing);

   Department store;

   Discount store;

   Drugstore;

   Household appliances, including electronic equipment and computers, sales and service;

   Floor covering sales;

   Flowers and plants;

   Fruits and vegetables;

   Furniture;

   Groceries (alcohol sales require conditional use permit and special business permit);

   Hardware;

   Home improvement center;

   Ice cream parlor;

   Jewelry;

   Large box retail;

   Lawn and garden supplies;

   Luggage;

   Music store (records, tapes, discs);

   Newspapers and magazines;

   Office supplies;

   Paint and wallpaper materials, and supplies;

   Pet shop;

   Photographic supplies and studio;

   Plant nurseries (screened, retail sales only);

   Spa sales;

   Sporting goods; and

   Toy store.

   2.   Eating Establishments.

   Restaurants without sales of alcohol, including those with outdoor dining, but excluding drive-thru restaurants and places providing dancing and/or live entertainment.

   3.   Services.

   Animal Grooming. (Accessory to pet shop only. All animals must be kept in an enclosed building. Animals are not permitted to remain on premises overnight);

   Apparel cleaning and drying, retail only (including dry cleaning of clothes in enclosed machines using nonflammable cleaning compounds, sponging and pressing);

   Banks, credit unions and savings and loan facilities;

   Barber, beauty, and manicure shops;

   Business support service center (shipping, printing, copying, mailbox rental, and supplies);

   Professional offices;

   Shoe repair;

   Travel agency; and

   Veterinary Clinic. (Accessory to pet shop only. All animals must be kept in an enclosed building. Animals are not permitted to remain on premises overnight).

   4.   Reverse vending machines, subject to regulations contained in Chapter 20.56, Recycling Facilities.

   5.   Pay phones and vending machines, subject to the following criteria:

   a.   Pay phones and vending machines must be located behind the required front and side setbacks located adjacent to streets.

   b.   Pay phones and vending machines shall not encroach, nor project into driveways, required off-street parking stalls or pedestrian pathways.

   c.   Prior to the installation of a pay phone or vending machine, the applicant shall: (i) obtain approval of a site plan pursuant to Chapter 20.52; (ii) obtain a building permit (when applicable); and (iii) pay fees as established by the city council by resolution and may be adjusted from time to time.

   d.   Failure to obtain a permit shall cause a double fee to be imposed pursuant to Uniform Building Code Section 15.02.060 as established by resolution and may be adjusted from time to time.

   e.   Pay phones and vending machines shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and have adequate lighting to create a safe environment and not create glare onto adjacent properties.

   f.   Pay phones and vending machines shall not have overhead wiring or exposed conduit.

   g.   Prior to installation, pay phones and vending machines shall require approval by the planning department to assure that the location does not interfere with public access, is in a safe and secure location, provides convenient access, will not create an excessive number of such machines, and will not create any conditions of public nuisance.

   h.   Pay phones and vending machines and all areas surrounding said machines shall be kept in a clean and orderly manner by the owner or tenant of the property upon which the phone or machine is located.

   B.   Temporary Uses. The following temporary uses may be permitted subject to review and approval of the planning director upon filing of a temporary use permit application, plot plan, and payment of fees as may be determined by resolution of the city council at least thirty days prior to the event:

   1.   Circuses, carnivals, fairs;

   2.   Outdoor sale of Christmas trees, pumpkins, or other season-specific goods when in conjunction with an established business; and

   3.   Temporary outdoor exhibits and/or sales of equipment, goods or services, when in conjunction with and operated by the established business on that site, and provided there shall be no more than four such displays or sales in a calendar year and that no one display or sale be conducted for a period of more than four consecutive days and such display or sale will not occupy or obstruct any parking space, drive aisle or pedestrian walkway.

   C.   Uses Permitted Subject to a Conditional Use Permit. The following special uses may be permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit, in accordance with Chapter 20.64 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code, provided that in addition to the findings required in Chapter 20.64, any conditional use permit shall be found to be consistent with the goals and objectives of the SP-1 town center east specific plan:

   1.   Government building;

   2.   Gymnasium or health club;

   3.   Motion picture or live theater, excluding outdoor drive-in movie theater;

   4.   Packaged alcohol products (sale of), including liquor, beer and wine. No such establishment shall be located within one thousand feet of another similarly permitted establishment or within one thousand feet of a school, playground, public park, or area zoned for residential use. A special business permit shall be required;

   5.   Restaurants serving wine, beer or liquor, bars, and cocktail lounges with or without dancing and entertainment facilities. A special business permit shall be required;

   6.   Oil well and appurtenant facilities subject to the provisions of Title 16 and Chapter 20.74 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code; and

   7.   Public dancehall or any establishment which is open to the public where dancing by patrons is permitted. A special business permit shall be required.

   8.   Gasoline service stations.

   D.   Limitations on Uses.

   1.   All uses shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building excepting temporary uses as permitted above, retail sales of lawn and garden supplies, and restaurants which include outdoor dining;

   2.   No on-site overnight parking of vehicles shall be permitted except for those vehicles used in conjunction with a permitted use; and

   3.   Storage shall be permitted only within an entirely enclosed building and shall be limited to accessory storage of commodities sold or utilized in the conduct of a permitted use on the premises.

   E.   Prohibited Uses.

   Adult entertainment businesses;

   Arcade;

   Auction yard;

   Auto parts (sale of);

   Auto repair and service;

   Automobile body repair or paint shop;

   Automobile wrecking yard;

   Check cashing;

   Commercial marijuana activity;

   Containerized storage units;

   Convenience food store with or without gasoline sales;

   Ice, drink and food products dispensing machines in exterior locations;

   Junkyard;

   Medical offices and clinics;

   Pawnshop;

   Plants for the manufacturing, refining, and/or processing of the following: cement, ready-mix concrete, crushed rock, fertilizer, lime, petroleum oil, gasoline;

   Plasma donor center--A facility for the commercial collection of plasma products from human donors including offices, waiting areas, plasma donor areas, laboratories, and plasma processing and storage areas;

   Pool hall or billiard room;

   Public laundry;

   Roller or ice skating rink;

   Shooting gallery;

   Slaughterhouse;

   Steam baths, electric light baths, electric tub baths, shower baths, sponge baths, sun baths, mineral baths; Russian, Swedish, or Turkish baths; salt glows; fomentations; massages; electric or magnetic treatments; or alcohol rubs; except where given by a person licensed by the state to practice a healing art or profession, or his employee, and the giving thereof is incidental to the good faith practice of such healing art or profession;

   Tannery;

   Taxi service;

   Theater, drive-in;

   Towing company, including dispatching offices;

   Trailer camp or park;

   Used car lot;

   Used parts store; and

   Vendor food sales.

(Ord. 2019-12-1511 §§ 1, 2: Ord. 2017-11-1497 § 8; Ord. 2016-01-1484 § 6: Ord. 2013-09-1461 § 1: Ord. 2011-04-1424 § 6: Ord. 98-12-1243 § 3 (part): Ord. 94-06-1182 § 2: Ord. 94-01-1175 § 1: Ord. 93-03-1152 § 8 (part): Ord. 91-07-1105)

   All property within the town center east specific plan area shall be developed and maintained in accordance with all provisions of the town center east specific plan and applicable development standards and city codes.

   Substantive changes to the physical improvements on the property as described in subsections A through G of this section, may be made only after review and approval by resolution of the planning commission and in compliance with Chapter 20.52 and this chapter. Determination of "substantive change" hereunder shall be made at the sole discretion of the planning director and shall be subject to appeal to the planning commission as described in Section 20.52.030(D).

   A.   Design Guidelines. Buildings and improvements shall be designed and reviewed in compliance with Chapter 20.52.

   B.   Architectural Quality. The buildings shall have architectural excellence, both individually and in terms of the context of the total complex. The design theme and facade treatment shall be consistent with the "Artist's Elevations Concept" as in Exhibits 2.A. through 2.H. of "Exhibits" referenced in Section 20.40.030. Open and landscape areas shall substantially comply with the "On-Site Landscape Plan," Exhibit 3, and with the "Perimeter Landscape and Right-Of-Way Improvements Plan," Exhibit 4, and the approved site plan, Exhibit 5 of "Exhibits."

   C.   On-Site Landscape Plan. On-site landscaping shall have design excellence, in terms of each planted area and in terms of the context of the total complex. Landscaping shall substantially conform to the "On-Site Landscape Plan," Exhibit 3 in "Exhibits."

   D.   Perimeter Landscape and Right-Of-Way Improvements Plan. Perimeter landscaping shall have design excellence, in terms of the treatment provided along Cherry Avenue and Willow Street, and at all project entry areas and intersections, and in terms of the context of the total complex. Landscaping shall substantially conform to the "Perimeter Landscape Plan and Right-Of-Way Improvement Plan," Exhibit 4 in "Exhibits."

   E.   Site Plan. The site plan shall substantially conform to the approved site plan, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Exhibit 5.

   F.   Entry to Hilltop. The project shall be designed and constructed to complement the planned hilltop residential development and to minimize adverse impacts by including appropriate landscape buffering, screening of exterior mechanical equipment and attractive facade detailing.

   G.   Compatibility with Right-Of-Way Improvement Plan. The project shall be designed and constructed so as to substantially incorporate the "Perimeter Landscape Plan and Right-Of-Way Improvements Plan," attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Exhibit 4, coordinated with the town center west concept plans, including public improvements, entry landscaping, and signage.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   Building heights shall be limited to three stories or forty-five feet, whichever is less, as calculated in accordance with Section 20.04.102.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   Design and construction of the landscaped yards shall be consistent with the "On-Site Landscape Plan," attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Exhibit 3, and the "Perimeter Landscape and Right-Of-Way Improvement Plan."

   All minimum yard requirements as described in subsections A--D of this section shall extend the full width depth of the lot, as applicable, and all yards shall be open from the ground to the sky:

   A.   Willow Street: 15 feet, fully landscaped.

   B.   Cherry Avenue: 15 feet, fully landscaped.

   C.   Burnett Street: 15 feet, fully landscaped.

   D.   Interior property lines: 0 feet.

   All yards, except driveways, parking areas, loading areas, and walkways, shall be installed and maintained with landscaping and automatic sprinkler systems.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   A.   Maximum Allowed Hardscape. Hardscape in front and street side setbacks is limited to driveways and walkways only (hardscape includes paved materials, both permeable and non-permeable). The remaining area shall be landscaped and maintained.

   B.   Turf in New Development. Turf in new development is subject to Chapter 13.10.

   C.   Turf Replacement.

   1.   Turf is not a required or preferred landscape material. Drought tolerant landscape materials that retain water on site are strongly encouraged when replacing existing turf.

   2.   Turf replacement in landscape areas of two thousand five hundred square feet or greater is subject to Chapter 13.10. (Ord. 2015-11-1481 § 8)

   A.   Nonresidential development comprising twenty-five thousand square feet or more of building area shall provide the following subject to approval of the planning director:

   1.   A bulletin board, display case or kiosk displaying transportation information located where the greatest number of employees are likely to see it. Information in the area shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

   a.   Current maps, routes and schedules for public transit routes serving the site;

   b.   Telephone numbers for referrals on transportation information including numbers for the regional ridesharing agency and local transit operators;

   c.   Ridesharing promotional materials supplied by commuter-oriented organizations;

   d.   Bicycle route and facility information, including regional/local bicycle maps and bicycle safety information;

   e.   A listing of facilities available for carpoolers, vanpoolers, bicyclists, transit riders and pedestrians at the site.

   2.   Sidewalks or other designated pathways following direct and safe routes from the external pedestrian circulation system to each building in the development, and from on-site parking areas to each building in the development.

   B.   Nonresidential development comprising fifty thousand square feet or more of building area shall comply with the requirements for same as set forth in Section 20.70.035, Required Transportation-related Facilities, and with those indicated above for projects of twenty-five thousand square feet or more.

   C.   Nonresidential projects comprising one hundred thousand square feet or more of building area shall comply with the requirements in Subsection A of this section and shall provide all of the following subject to approval of the planning director:

   1.   If determined necessary by the public works director to mitigate project impacts, but stop improvements for developments to be located adjacent to major highways, secondary highways, and established bus routes; the city will consult with local bus service providers in determining appropriate improvements;

   2.   Safe and convenient access from the external circulation system to bicycle parking facilities on-site.

(Ord. 93-03-1152 § 9)

   Design, construction and striping shall be consistent with Chapter 20.70, except as modified in this section, and with the approved site plan, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Exhibit 5.

   A.   Parking for retail space shall be provided at a ratio of one space per two hundred fifty square feet gross floor area or fraction thereof provided that if any of the special uses in Chapter 20.70 are included, the regulations of that section shall apply and if any of the uses are not listed, a parking study may be required by the planning director to determine if adequate parking is provided and additional parking may be required consistent with the recommendations of such study.

   B.   Parking for restaurants, or other nonretail uses specifically listed in Chapter 20.70 shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 20.70.

   C.   Standard-sized parking stalls shall measure 9 feet by 18.5 feet. The maximum vehicle overhang for any parking space is two feet, unless such overhang area is landscaped and separated from the parking space by a six-inch curb, in which case, such overhang can measure thirty inches. The minimum width of a driveway aisle serving ninety-degree-angle parking spaces shall measure twenty-six feet wide.

   D.   The maximum number of compact spaces permitted shall be thirty percent of the total number of spaces required above the first ten.

   E.   A minimum five percent of the total area of parking stalls and driveways shall be landscaped consistent with Chapter 20.70.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   The requirements for size, location, treatment, and maintenance of loading spaces shall be in conformity with Section 20.66.160.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   Lighting shall be installed consistent with an approved lighting and electrical plan. Fixtures shall be of such design as necessary to eliminate glare to hillside dwellings.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   Trash, storage and recyclable materials enclosure areas shall be provided of sufficient size to ensure containment of all solid waste materials generated from the site and to promote the city's recycling program. The size of the enclosure(s) shall be determined by planning director staff based upon the size and nature of the facility proposed but shall not be less than five square feet per one thousand square feet of building area. The trash and recyclable materials enclosure(s) shall be constructed of solid masonry walls and shall not be less than five feet in height with solid metal panel gates equipped with self-closing devices. Adequate access shall be provided to the enclosure(s) for refuse pickup.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   All signs shall be installed by the developer. A sign program shall be submitted to the planning commission for review and approval. Signs shall be designed in a manner consistent with overall architectural theme of the project. Prior to installation or erection of signs, building and electrical permits, where necessary, shall be obtained.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   On-site mechanical equipment, whether roof mounted or ground mounted, shall be, to the extent possible, screened from the public view, including from hilltop areas. Screening material shall complement and be consistent with the overall architectural and landscape theme of the project. Where public visibility will be minimal, the director of planning and community development may permit use of landscaping to screen ground mounted equipment. No mechanical equipment, including electrical transformers, shall be located in any required setback area.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   All improvements shall be constructed in accordance with the Uniform Building Code (with Signal Hill modifications), the Long Beach Fire Code (with Signal Hill modifications), the approved site plan, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Exhibit 5, all applicable landscape plans, and current city standards.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   Utilities and facilities for the town center east project shall be extended and/or constructed in conjunction with its phased development. Major infrastructure facilities are shown in Exhibits 6, 7, and 8. Specific requirements for additional facilities are as follows:

   A.   Utilities.

   1.   All on-site water supply, wastewater collection, storm drainage, and sewage lines and facilities shall be provided by the developer in accordance with the city's master plans for water, sewers, and drainage.

   2.   All utility lines serving the site including natural gas, electrical, water, wastewater and communications lines shall be placed underground by the developer as a condition of approval of building permits.

   3.   Adequate water for estimated consumption, as determined by the city public works department and for fire flow requirements, as determined by the city of Long Beach fire department, shall be provided by the developer.

   4.   For any development within the town center east specific plan area, the practicality of providing public facilities without incurring unusual public costs shall be demonstrated by the developer.

   5.   Cost for improvements to water, drainage, and sewer systems included in the city's adopted master plans for water, drainage and sewers shall be assigned in accordance with a cost-benefit formula established by the public works director, based on current engineering construction costs, as amended from time to time.

   6.   No structures shall be permitted to be developed over existing major pipeline or power line easements, except where these can be relocated. Should relocation of minor pipelines be necessary, such relocation shall be completed by the developer.

   B.   Transportation and Circulation. Transportation and circulation improvements required for implementation of the town center specific plan, as described in subsections (B)(1) through (7) of this section, shall be installed and funded by the developer.

   1.   A northbound right-turn lane on Cherry Avenue at Willow Street shall be constructed.

   2.   A bus shelter and right-turn lane on Willow Street east of Cherry Avenue shall be constructed.

   3.   A traffic signal on Cherry Avenue at 25th Street/project entrance shall be installed. For proper signalizations, the centerline of this driveway must align four to six feet south of the centerline for 25th Street.

   4.   Restriction of unsignalized driveways for the subject development and for the town center west development to right turns in-and-out only shall be implemented.

   5.   Cherry Avenue shall be changed to provide "double-double" yellow striping continuously from Willow Street to 25th Street.

   6.   Landscaping in the parking areas shall be incorporated to help ensure sight distance at the ends of parking aisles and reduce the tendency for vehicles to travel at undesirable speeds across large paved areas. Shrub-type landscaping must be kept to a height of less than thirty inches above the grade of the parking lot at the ends of the parking aisles to permit vision of cross traffic. Limited posts and trunks for small trees (under six-inch diameter at maturity) can extend above thirty inches but foliage must be removed to preserve vision between thirty inches and seven feet above grade.

   7.   25th Street shall be restriped at Cherry Avenue to permit the installation of a left-turn lane aligning with the lane for left turns out of the site driveway.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   In accordance with the approved Site Plan, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Exhibit 5, the SP-1 town center east specific plan area shall include landscaped setback areas, and separated pedestrian ways. Costs for such improvements shall be borne by the developer.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   Compliance with the city's oil code, state division of oil and gas requirements, site plan and design review ordinance and the approved site plan will permit the continued productivity of oil and compatibility of oil production uses with future land uses.

   New development on those portions of the town center east specific plan area having existing oil production shall be subject to the following standards:

   A.   No structure shall be located within thirty-five feet of an active well.

   B.   The developer shall prepare and submit a site plan for staff comment addressing the relationship of any development to active wells, service lines, and access routes to any company which has surface leasehold interest in the property proposed for development. The affected oil company, upon its own discretion, may require an exclusive one-hundred-foot by one-hundred-fifty-foot rectangular work area around each existing well to provide adequate separation between oil production facilities and more sensitive land uses, and to reserve an adequate area for access to and maintenance of wells. Surfacing, parking and/or landscaping within these areas shall be subject to review by each responsible oil company.

   C.   Costs for such improvements and/or resource protection methods shall be borne by the developer.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))

   The town east specific plan implements each of the elements of the city general plan. As such, the specific plan is supportive of and consistent with the existing goals and policies of the general plan.

(Ord. 91-07-1105 § 1 (part))