The large, cement Blossom Valley Plaza sign at the corner of Geer Road and Regis Street may be a longstanding landmark in Turlock, but it will soon be replaced with a new, more modern sign.
The existing sign was built in 1987, after receiving a conditional use permit from the then-Planning Commission, however there was no clear guidelines when staff looked back at the meeting minutes when it was approved.
“In the final decision, there was no lead on what was approved or any guidance for staff,” said Assistant Planner Brent Gibbons.
Despite the confusion, the sign has stood as the monument sign at the Blossom Valley Plaza for years, but will soon be a whole new sign.
The proposed sign will be approximately 12 feet in height and — unlike the current sign — will feature six tenant slots on the sign, which is similar in size to other signs on Geer Road.
City of Turlock staff said that they worked with the applicant to reduce the number of tenants on the sign from 10 down to six, as to allow the sign to look less cluttered.
The sign, which is about 15 feet 5 inches wide, will also feature opaque tenant panels with push through letters which, according to staff, reduces unnecessary light pollution.
“Each of the panels are opaque background with push through letters,” said Gibbons. "This is consistent with the design and guidelines that push for the City of Turlock to have signs that don’t create further light pollution and night."
Property owners in the area were notified of the application, however only one letter was sent in opposition of the sign. That resident, however, lives behind the shopping center on Brooks Court and would not directly be affected by the sign, according to staff.
“This sign really wouldn’t be visible to those residents,” said Deputy Director of Development Services Debbie Whitmore.
The conditional use permit for the master sign program was approved by Planning Commission earlier this month and the sign is expected to be completed by the applicant by the end of August.
“It’ll be a nice, updated improvement,” said Planning Commission Chair Soraya Fregosi.
Along with the new sign coming in, the approval will play a significant role in determining how staff will propose to change the City of Turlock’s sign ordinance.
Planning Commission will have the chance to approve another master sign plan at its next meeting on July 16, when they consider a conditional use permit for the Turlock Town Plaza.
Mockup of the incoming Blossom Valley Plaza sign.
Courtesy of the City of Turlock.
