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Visual Conformity The state has several 65 foot billboards lined up on 1-5 1000 feet both North and South of our location at 9848 Harlan Road in French Camp, California. The appearance of our billboard (because "it is lower in height) looks out of since with the other billboards in the area. All the signs in this area are tall enough to clear the trees except for our billboard, which appears to be substandard as it drops below the tree line. State Approvals Susan Swenson from Cal Trans advises that they will approve the sign with a new application at the requested height of 65 feet and still be in conformance with the other signs along this corridor. Low Land Grade When Leonard & Company, Inc. originally requested the approval of this sign as it was our understanding that the billboard would be considered 50 feet above Freeway street level or frontage road level. It was not until the late stages of the building permit process, that Leonard was made aware that the 50 feet begins at the ground level of our lot, and we could not use Freeway grade or frontage road as a guide. Leonard still contends that the intent of the ordinance is to allow the signs to be built at the Freeway or road grade level. The Muller property is undeveloped at this time and is in the development process and may eventually be graded to road level. The 1-5 Freeway grade is higher than our land site. We are requesting that the sign be 50 feet above freeway or road grade level which would meet the current standard. The measurement of this grade by our company and sign contract is how we determined the 65 foot total height. • This finding can be made because there is a row of remaining orchard trees between Interstate 5 and Harlan Road that prevents motorists traveling on Interstate 5 from having a clear view of the billboard sign. The other billboards in the vicinity of the billboard are either tall enough as to not be obstructed by trees or are in locations with unobstructed views. Finding 2. The granting of the Variance will not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zone which the property is situated. The applicant states: Best Uniformed Visual Impact The above ground level height to the front maintenance platforms would only be increased 15 feet. The approval would create the best visual impact for viewing our sign without creating a roller coaster effect looking down the freeway corridor. State Encroachment Permit For Tree Trimming Denial Leonard & Company has already requested on April 8, 2004 tree trimming for the 7 trees currently blocking our sign. However, Cal Trans determined these trees to be from Orchard Crops that were once in the area and have a historical significance to the State. 2