To: Catherine Way, Mayor, City of Larkspur
Remove Poles in Larkspur at Magnolia Ave and Ward St
Victory! The creator of this petition declared the campaign a success. You can still sign the petition to show support.
The recently installed 25-foot poles at Magnolia and Ward do not reflect the character and heritage of Larkspur. They also exceed the 10 foot height limit for signs in downtown Larkspur. Add your name to to this petition to have these removed.
Why is this important?
[UPDATE: ON MARCH 2, 2016, THE LARKSPUR CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED REMOVING THE POLES AT MAGNOLIA AND WARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!]
The installation of the poles seems to have bypassed the extraordinary scrutiny of the Planning Commission. According to City Manager Dan Schwartz’s comments in a recent article in the Marin IJ, “The poles were considered a utility project, which didn’t require the same treatment as a remodel or upkeep of architecture.”
The fact that the city considered the poles, designed to allow the City of Larkspur sell advertising to non-profit groups, to be a “utility” is a gross misinterpretation of the word. It seems clear that the installation of the poles should have gone through the planning commission and been subject to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.41.120, Design Review and Heritage Preservation Board Review, SD Storefront Downtown Regulations that states:
All proposed new structures, additions and other modifications to the exterior of a building shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.64 LMC, Design Review, and for those parcels in the combining heritage preservation district, review and recommendation by the Heritage Preservation Board, per Chapter 18.19 LMC. (Ord. 933 § 3, 2004; Ord. 929 § 38, 2004; Ord. 841 § 1 (part), 1993).
Furthermore, according to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.060 F, Signs, Permitted Identification Signs for Places of Business:
The maximum height of freestanding signs shall be ten feet measured from finish grade elevation at the sign base to the uppermost part of the sign or supporting structure.
The existing poles stand 25 feet high, 15 feet higher than is allowed for such a sign.
Add your name to have these poles removed.
The installation of the poles seems to have bypassed the extraordinary scrutiny of the Planning Commission. According to City Manager Dan Schwartz’s comments in a recent article in the Marin IJ, “The poles were considered a utility project, which didn’t require the same treatment as a remodel or upkeep of architecture.”
The fact that the city considered the poles, designed to allow the City of Larkspur sell advertising to non-profit groups, to be a “utility” is a gross misinterpretation of the word. It seems clear that the installation of the poles should have gone through the planning commission and been subject to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.41.120, Design Review and Heritage Preservation Board Review, SD Storefront Downtown Regulations that states:
All proposed new structures, additions and other modifications to the exterior of a building shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.64 LMC, Design Review, and for those parcels in the combining heritage preservation district, review and recommendation by the Heritage Preservation Board, per Chapter 18.19 LMC. (Ord. 933 § 3, 2004; Ord. 929 § 38, 2004; Ord. 841 § 1 (part), 1993).
Furthermore, according to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.060 F, Signs, Permitted Identification Signs for Places of Business:
The maximum height of freestanding signs shall be ten feet measured from finish grade elevation at the sign base to the uppermost part of the sign or supporting structure.
The existing poles stand 25 feet high, 15 feet higher than is allowed for such a sign.
Add your name to have these poles removed.