Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee - March 11, 2026
City of Lodi — Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee (SPARC)
Regular Meeting — March 11, 2026
Meeting Overview: This SPARC meeting features a single review item — a quasi-judicial public hearing on the proposed 70-foot tall, double-faced, freeway-oriented electronic pylon sign at the Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership (1255 South Beckman Road). Staff recommends approval with conditions. This would be the first of a maximum of two electronic billboards allowed within the City of Lodi.
Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to Conditions of Approval (Attachment E)
Meeting Agenda
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Roll Call | Committee attendance |
| 2. Minutes | None |
| 3. Public Comments | Non-agenda items — individuals limited to one appearance |
| 4a. Review Item | 70-ft electronic pylon sign at 1255 S. Beckman Road (PL2021-008) — Quasi-judicial hearing requiring ex parte disclosure per Resolution No. 2006-31 |
| 5. Regular Business | None listed |
| 6. Committee/Staff Comments | Non-agenda items |
| 7. Adjournment |
Item 4a: Electronic Pylon Sign (PL2021-008)
Application Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| File Number | PL2021-008 SP |
| Applicant | Arrow Sign Company, 1051 46th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 |
| Property Owner | LG Harrington Properties LLC ETAL |
| Location | 1255 South Beckman Road, Lodi, CA 95240 (APN: 049-310-53) |
| Property Size | 6.78 acres |
| General Plan | Commercial |
| Zoning | General Commercial (GC) |
| CEQA Status | Exempt per CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) “Common Sense” and §15332 (Class 32 Infill) |
| Staff Report Authors | Tim Kohaya, Senior Planner; John R. Della Monica Jr., Community Development Director |
Project Description
Arrow Sign Company proposes to install a 70-foot tall, double-faced, freeway-oriented electronic pylon sign at the existing Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership. The sign will be positioned on the northern portion of the property near the South Beckman Road and Auto Center Drive intersection, oriented perpendicular to State Highway 99 to advertise the dealership to freeway travelers.
The sign consists of three distinct display elements totaling 576 square feet:
| Sign Component | Area (sq ft) | Dimensions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Lodi” Logo Cabinet | 86 | 14′3″ W × 6′0″ H | Illuminated “LODI” lettering with grape artwork |
| Electronic Message Board (LED) | 376 | 30′3″ W × 12′0″ H | Watchfire brand 16mm full-color LED display with 4G wireless |
| Dealership Logo Cabinet | 114 | 18′2″ W × 6′3″ H | Four sections: Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram |
Sign Component Area Breakdown (576 sq ft total)
Project History & Legislative Timeline
This project has a six-year history. In 2020, the Lodi Municipal Code effectively banned electronic message signs by prohibiting billboards. The City paused Harrington’s original application to draft new regulations. The result was LMC 17.34.070(G), which allows a maximum of two freeway-oriented electronic billboards citywide, each requiring a Development Agreement and SPARC design review.
LG Harrington Properties applied for a variance and use permit to install an electronic pylon sign. Application paused by the City to draft new sign regulations.
City Council approved LMC 17.34.070(G) “Freeway Oriented Electronic Billboard” — creating a regulatory framework allowing up to two electronic billboards with discretionary SPARC review and a required Development Agreement.
Harrington/CDJR renewed their 2020 application under the new ordinance.
Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended City Council approve the Development Agreement.
City Council adopted ordinance entering a Development Agreement with the property owner.
SPARC to consider final design approval — the last required discretionary action before the DA is fully executed.
Project Approval Timeline
Development Agreement Key Terms
The Development Agreement between the City of Lodi and LG Harrington Properties LLC governs the sign’s construction, operation, and ongoing maintenance. Key provisions include:
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Monitoring Fee | $1,000/year paid by the landowner to the City |
| Advertising Restriction | On-site only (CDJR dealership); off-site would require Caltrans approval — City would receive revenue share if permitted |
| Brightness Controls | Daytime: max 7,500 lumens/m²; Nighttime: max 500 lumens/m² (automatic dimming required) |
| Maintenance | Electronic display issues must be repaired within 14 calendar days of notice |
| Removal Obligation | If abandoned, all components removed within 60 days; $1,000/day fine for non-compliance |
| Annual Review | City conducts annual compliance review per LMC requirements |
| Agreement Term | Runs with the land; continues as long as obligations exist; non-dischargeable in bankruptcy |
Public Service Message Requirements
The City receives one 8-second message slot per minute on the electronic display for civic announcements. Authorized uses include:
- Lodi Grape Festival, Parade of Lights, Lodi Street Fair, Wine & Chocolate Festival
- Farmers Market promotions
- Emergency notifications and public safety alerts
- Parks & Recreation program signups
- City of Lodi job postings
Content restrictions: No political, religious, or sexual content; no alcohol, tobacco, or gambling advertising.
Design & Engineering Specifications
Materials & Construction
| Component | Material | Finish / Color |
|---|---|---|
| Pole Covers | Corrugated Aluminum | Metallic Silver (#281-342) |
| Electronic Display | Watchfire LED (16mm full-color) | 4G Wireless Communication |
| Lodi Cabinet Faces | Acrylic (Chemcast White #2447) | LED-illuminated (Sloan V4 White) |
| Grapes Artwork | Acrylic (Acrylite White #015-2) | Custom Vinyl Decoration |
| Dealer Cabinets | Aluminum | Metallic Silver |
| Bollards (4 units) | 6″ Steel Pipe, Concrete-filled | Primrose Yellow |
Structural Footing
The 70-foot sign requires a substantial foundation: a 6-foot-wide, 40-foot-deep concrete footing with a 4-foot-diameter internal pipe. Structural safety will be verified during the building permit phase by a third-party inspector.
Site Placement & Setbacks
The sign pole sits within a 17′ × 17′3″ landscaped planter, with the electronic board and logos overhanging the driveway. Four protective bollards (4 feet tall with 4.5-foot concrete footings) surround the base.
| Setback Direction | Distance | Adjacent Feature |
|---|---|---|
| East (property line) | ~22 feet | South Beckman Road |
| West (property line) | ~118 feet | State Highway 99 |
| Nearest Building | ~250 feet | Dealership structures |
| Nearest Residences | 325+ feet | Across Highway 99 (shielded by mature trees) |
Landscaping
A landscaped planter extending 5 feet from the sign base will feature drought-tolerant plantings with no permanent irrigation and a minimum 3 inches of mulch:
| Plant | Species | Quantity | Size | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf Coyote Brush | Baccharis pilularis | 8 plants | 1-gallon | Groundcover |
| Blue Chalk Sticks | Senecio serpens | 18 plants | 1-gallon | Accent / Perimeter |
Adjacent Land Uses
| Direction | General Plan | Zoning | Existing Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Water Body | Public/Quasi Public (P/QP) | Drainage Ditch, Auto Dealership |
| South | Commercial | General Commercial (GC) | Restaurant, Hotel |
| East | Commercial | General Commercial (GC) | Vacant |
| West | N/A (State Highway 99) | N/A (State Highway 99) | State Highway 99 |
Staff Findings & Analysis
Staff determined that SPARC can make all required findings under LMC Section 17.40.020 E:
Finding 1a: Zoning Consistency
The proposed sign meets all Development Agreement specifications — 86 sq ft Lodi logo, 376 sq ft LED electronic message board, and 114 sq ft dealership logo cabinet — as required by LMC 17.34.070(G).
Finding 1b: No Interference with Neighbors
The project will not create any known impediments to surrounding developments. No driveways, sidewalks, or parking maneuvers will be blocked. The sign replaces former parking spaces and does not impede vehicular circulation. Structural adequacy for extreme weather will be verified at building permit.
Finding 1c: Aesthetic Harmony
The project’s design, colors, and materials are appropriate for a freeway-oriented pylon sign and are consistent with Exhibit 1 of the DA ordinance between the City and the Owner.
Finding 1d: Desirable Environment
The project is surrounded by commercial businesses, vacant commercial land, and State Highway 99. Nearest residences are 325+ feet away across the highway, partially shielded by mature trees.
Finding 2a: Public Health, Safety & Welfare
No evidence in the record suggests the project would result in any detriments to public health, safety, or welfare. The project meets all DA design standards and will undergo building code review.
Finding 2b: CEQA Compliance
Previously determined exempt by City Council under both the “Common Sense” exemption (§15061(b)(3)) and Class 32 Infill Development (§15332). The 6.78-acre site is fully developed with no habitat value for endangered species, and the project will not result in significant effects to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality.
Conditions of Approval
Planning Division
- Applicant must sign acceptance of all conditions before approval becomes final.
- Full indemnification of the City against any legal challenges.
- Project must be built per the SPARC-approved plans; modifications only per LMC Title 17.
- Automatic dimming system mandatory (7,500 lumens/m² daytime; 500 lumens/m² nighttime).
- Licensed landscape architect must prepare and certify landscape/irrigation plans conforming to LMC Chapter 17.30.
- All landscaping installed and certified before final Certificate of Occupancy.
Building Division
- All submittals must comply with City of Lodi Building Regulations and the 2025 California Building Code.
- Structural safety of the 70-foot sign and its 40-foot-deep footing will be verified by a third-party inspector during the building permit phase.
Public Hearing Notice
Legal notice was published in the Lodi News Sentinel on February 28, 2026. Fourteen (14) public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site as required by California Government Code §65091(a)(3) and LMC Section 17.74.020. Additional notice was mailed to interested parties who had previously expressed interest in the project.
Available SPARC Actions
| Action Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Approve with attached conditions | Staff Recommendation |
| Approve with alternate conditions | Committee may modify conditions |
| Approve with design revisions | Committee may require design changes |
| Deny the project | Must state findings for denial |
| Continue to future meeting | Defer for additional information or review |
Recommended Motion: “I move that the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee find that the proposed Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as previously determined by the City Council, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15332, and approve site plan and architectural review for a 70-foot high, double-faced freeway-oriented electronic pylon sign, at 1255 South Beckman Road, File Number PL2021-008, subject to the Conditions of Approval.”
Right of Appeal
Appeals of SPARC decisions may be filed with the City Clerk within 10 business days with a $300 fee. Appeals are heard first by the Planning Commission and then by the City Council, pursuant to LMC Section 17.70.050. Only persons who participated in the review process (written or oral testimony, or meeting attendance) may appeal.
Packet Attachments
| Attachment | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Ordinance for Development Agreement |
| B | Initialed Development Agreement between City of Lodi and LG Harrington Properties LLC |
| C | Ordinance Exhibit 1 — Sign location and side view |
| D | Detailed Site Plan and Design Elements |
| E | Draft Conditions of Approval |
Public Comment Information
Public comments may be submitted in the following ways:
In Person
Carnegie Forum, 305 W. Pine Street, Lodi
sparccomments@lodi.gov
(received
no later than 2 hours prior)
Mail / Hand Deliver
Community Development Dept.
221 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240
(received no
later than 2 hours prior)
Watch Live
References & Resources
- City of Lodi Official Website — Agendas, staff reports, and municipal code
- City of Lodi YouTube Channel — Live and archived meeting video
- Community Development Department: 221 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240 — (209) 333-6711
- City Clerk (Appeals): City Hall 2nd Floor, 221 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240 — (209) 333-6702
- Staff Contact: Jessica L. Pagán, Administrative Assistant — (209) 333-6711 — sparccomments@lodi.gov
- Lodi Municipal Code: LMC 17.34.070(G) “Freeway Oriented Electronic Billboard”; LMC 17.40.020 E (SPARC Findings); LMC 17.70.050 (Appeals); LMC 17.44.040 (Development Agreements)
- CEQA References: CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) “Common Sense” Exemption; §15332 Class 32 Infill Development
- Source Document: SPARC Agenda Packet, March 11, 2026 — PL2021-008 Staff Report (21 pages)