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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06242004 . CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA City Council Chambers, 7:00 pm I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Acceptance of Agenda IV. Approval of Minutes V. Unfinished Business VII. New Business A. HPC Design Guidelines Workshop ·10 Staff Presentation 2. Public Comment 3. Planning Commission Discussion . VI. Upcoming Meetings VII. Communications VIII. Adjournment . June 24, 2004 · · · CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Richard Berg called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. II. ROLL CALL Other members answering roll were Lyn Hersey, Alice King, Jim Irvin, Cindy Thayer, Jeff Kelety and Steven Emery; George Randels, Liesl Slabaugh were excused. Also present was BCD Director Jeff Randall and Mari Mullen from Main Street. III. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Mr. Kelety made a motion to accept the agenda; Ms. Thayer seconded. All were in favor. IV. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -- There was none VI. NEW BUSINESS -- Workshop "PC Desil!n Guidelines -- Unadopted Guidelines: 1. Exterior Paint Colors (adopted by HPC in 1992); 2. Neon Sign age (adopted May 6, 1992); 3. Murals (adopted by HPC January 26, 1993); 4. Awnings (adopted October 12, 1993); 5. Signs including Sign Fonts (adopted August 25, 1999); and 6. Exterior Mechanical Systems (adopted December 12,2002) BCD Director Jeff Randall spoke of the unadopted guidelines referenced in his memo to the Planning Commission dated June 21, 2004. He stated the City Council adopted these guidelines on an interim basis at their recent meeting and asked that the Planning Commission review them. He anticipated a couple of workshops, SEPA review and a public hearing in July. The Historic Preservation Committee (HPC), Chamber of Commerce and Main Street were notified. Consensus was to go through each guideline separatdy and ask clarifying questions. Mr. Randall gave a brief background of HPC's role pointing out on the map the areas of their jurisdiction. He then discussed each guideline calling for any clarifying questions. 1. Exterior Paint Colors (adopted by HPC in 1992) Any color combination from the approved color palette will be acceptable; BCD determines applicants èxempt from HPC review if colors are selected from the color palette. If selected outside the color palete, HPC reviews. Q Mr. Berg: . If adopted, can HPC change this palette without readopting or can it be adopted to include future changes? A Mr. Randall: Thought Staff would recommend including a statement in the ordinance to indicate that HPC from time to time, ". . . can expand the color palette and fonts." Q Mr. Irvin: Why did Council decide to tackle these unadopted guidelines, and why did they adopt them on an interim basis? A Mr. Randall: HPC was doing what they thought was okay, establishing theirown guidelines because they had review authority and were communicating that with applicants. He was not sure why over previous years Staff didn't think they should take these to Council. The City Attorney has advised the City Council that, if there werea challenge to a decision the HPC made based on guidelines HPC had drafted but were not approved by Council, it Planning Commission Minutes, June 24, 2004 / Page 1 . would put the City in a poor position. He recommended as part of the demolition ordinance process, that Council adopt all of the guidelines they had not yet adopted. There was considerable debate about the necessity of adopting on an interim basis while they were being considered. Council decided to go directly to Planning Commission rather than back to HPC, although HPC could be invited for 1he review process. Q Mr. Berg: Is it within the scope of what we could do to actually review the colors and recommend expanded color choices, or are we to say "yes/no"? A Mr. Randall: It is complicated, and he thought for the time and knowing what goesinto those colors it might be more logical that HPC be directed to start with the color analysis. Q Mr. Keletý: He would like HPC to make a quick case and pass on. A Mr. Randall: Once you have seen the colors, if you want you could make a recommendtion to Council that they direct HPC to expand or add colors that could be reviewed administratively. Q Mr. Emery: Could we insert language that would allow additions by citizens or owners of buildings in the Historic District to use, if they can prove that a color was used at that time? A Mr. Randall: Right now, if you can scrape down a piece of wood and prove it, that is a very strong argument that would work with the HPC. Thought it could be good to add to the language. Mr. Randall showed an overhead of the Exterior Paint Registration Form, pointing out the ease of using it. Ms. Hersey noted the color palette was used for her espresso cart business. Mr. Randall added that the palette gets used a lot in various ways pertaining to color. . 2. Neon Signage (adopted May 6, 1992) There are multiple historic buildings in the Historic District. Most important is buildings and how the buildings look; second most important thing is the business. Getting overwhelmed with signs could danage the character. Municipal code PTMC Section 17.50.050(F)(3) adopted in 1999 allows neon Signage -- ". . . a total sign area of up to twelve (12) square feet per separate store front." Guideline 5 makes a distinction: "Proposed informational, directional or incidental neon signage (such as "vacancy" and "open" signs) shall not exceed an overall sign area of 1 square-foot." He felt HPC thought the main message you should be getting out to be what your business is, or, if you have a particulatproduct unique to you or to Port Townsend. They do not want everyone to have big "vacancy" or "open" signs. Q Ms. Hersey; How many 12' x 12' can you have? A Mr. Randall: The municipal code says ". . . up to twelve (12) square feet per separatestore front" -- that is total That would have to comply with all the other guidelines. This is not an area where administrative review is allowed; any new neon sign would have to go to HPC. BCD has told HPC they are uncomfortable with signs I square êet, because in their view it limited and almost could be read as contradicting this part of the municipal code. BCD has not been enforcing until it is adopted by Council. Review of this is pretty important. Mr. Kelety asked for an estimate of these being used. Mr. Randall thought at one time they counted approximately 12- 16 "open" signs, not all non-compliant. Q Mr. Kelety: If you implement this now and you don't grandfather, do you have to go and deal with their sign? A Mr. Randall: Concurred and said with sign codes that are more restrictive they have often provided an amortization period; give them a number of years, send out letters saying they have to move their sign-- that has actually worked. Q Mr. Berg: Non-conforming signs out therewith these unadopted guidelines currently are basically, "open" signs and beer signs? Nobody has a big business sign that is bigger than 12 feet? A Mr. Randàll: He was not aware of any; they would not allow that and would enforce now. Q Ms. Hersey: What about Uptown? Are you including Uptown right now? A Mr. Randall: It would be subject to these same standards, but compliance is voluntary. He thought the Uptown Pub probably has some, maybe the Boiler Room. Q Mr. Emery: There is no mention of neon artwork; this is mainly commercially related signage? A Mr. Randall: That is a good point. HPC approved the camera at the professional photo shop. They would have to deal with that on a case basis, and have to decide whether or not it is advertising md whether or not it is compatible. . 3. Murals (adopted by HPC January 26, 1993) Planning Commission Minutes, June 24, 2004 / Page 2 . Most important, it is not about art. What is considered a mural sign in Port Townsend contains advertising and is not really considered art. Q Mr. Kelety: Abandoned mural signs, is there a defmition of abandoned? A Mr. Randall: Thought perhaps, what it advertises no longer exists. He was not sure there was the defmition in the sign code, but that it would fall back to a common sense defmition. HPC did not adopt guidelines for artistic murals. They were not talking about that, but indicated they should come back and revisit it. Q Mr. Berg: It is saying that the Owl and Bull Durham signs aren't ever supposed to be repainted; they are just supposed to eventually fade away until they are gone? A Mr. Randall: There is provision for approved restoration. Q Ms. Mullen: About space that had been bought, and selling the space to someone else. A Mr. Randall: Quoted, ". . . shall be allowed to remain until such time as a new mural is approved for the site." Q Ms Mullen: What if they wanted to make money advertising, e.g. a United Airlines mural repainted on the Lewis Building? A Mr. Randall: No, it is an historical mural. 4. Awnings (adopted October 12, 1993) -- and drawings. HPC was concerned about awnings, both in shape and material, that are commercially available. Commercially, they are typically vinyl and shiny, not very natural and historic looking. . Q Ms. King: How did they get the old orange awnings at Swains approved? A Mr. Randall: It probably was before HPC review in 1994. 5. Signs including Sign Fonts (adopted August 25, 1999) HPC wants to expand fonts, but wants them to be legible. No HPC review i; needed if signs follow the guidelines in the packet, are on the color palette, not a neon sign, and most important under 20 square feet. Q Mr. Berg: Is there any way in adopting the sign guidelines, dealing with people putting up a sign and then being directed by BCD to go to HPC to get it approved? It seems it happens a lot with signs. He wondered if this is an opportunity to do something to get the word out to business owners that there is a sign code they need to follow? A Mr. Randall: It's an enforcement issue, and is not just limited to signs. He would like to have a process where every time somebody comes in with a new business license, or they see someone new move into a space and are refmishing it, you have a little informative packet to wel:ome them and explain they are in the Historic District and what they need to do. He thinks there are some things they can do outside of amending the code-- being proactive. Ms. Hersey: Also getting the word out to sign makers? Mr. Randall: Most are up to speed now, but a lot of sign makers are out of town. Ms. Mullen: Main Street has a 4-page booklet with a new business checklist. Q Mr. Emery: Are businesses aware they have to conform to state guidelines for marking ADA handiap parking? A Mr. Randall: They have been on top of this in the building permit process and with their street sign standards. All of the building codes have them right there too. Q Mr. Kelety: Do we have any that are sorely out of compliance? A Mr. Randall: The neon sign is a little bit of a problem. Jean Walat has done a good job enforcing the sign code, except for neon signs. Q Mr. Berg: What about sandwich boards? Aren't there guidelines? A Mr. Randall: There is a sandwich board handout, but it is basically the municipal code. All those guidelines are included in the municipal code. Mr. Emery: The state may overturn laws for commercial sandwich boards. Mr. Randall: Port Townsend does not ban them downtown. . 6. Exterior Mechanical Systems (adopted December 12,2002) Includes propane tanks, vents, new electrical and telephone service, cable, etc. that require a mechanical Planning Commission Minutes, June 24,·2004 / Page 3 · · · permit and are potentially exterior alterations to a building. The guidelines are already extremely effective; approximately 80 percent of the permits can be administratively reviewed quickly. Q Ms. Hersey: A while back there was discussion about the chimneys with the Tides Inn addition. A Mr. Randall: HPC reviewed that as part of the new building and approved the design. They do not have real fireplaces. This would not apply. Plumbers, electricians, QWEST are not used to getting design review and are the biggest offenders. Mr. Randall noted these guidelines are not in ordinance format. He anticipates an ordinance that is an adoption by reference, basically adopting the guidelines as exhibits, and incorporating these with the other adopted guidelines into an HPC Guidebook. They woukl then be available individually to be handed out in BCD. He suggested reformatting so they are all the same, leaving the content as is, with a cover ordinance. Mr. Berg thought if they were not going into fine detail, like colors, the Planning CommisÅ¡on would not need another workshop. Mr. Randall asked if there were concerns regarding neon signs. Mr. Kelety indicated he was not offended by any. Mr. Emery asked if signs like small "open" signs were readily available. Mr. Randall concurred, sayilg signs such as advertising Miller Draft shall not exceed 3-1/2 inches height and 24 inches length. Ms. Hersey asked about changing the reference to "aIcohol." Mr. Randall explained the product is not the focus. Ms. Thayer suggested they all look for neon signs and bring their comments back at the hearing. Mr. Irvin asked Mr. Randall to repeat mechanics of the Planning Commission recommendation going to Council, and any updates/upgrade changes between BCD and the HPC. He mentioned the statement of ampting by reference and each becoming a standalone that proceeds at its own pace. Some are fairly recent revisions and you would presume pretty well up-to-date. Mr. Randall sees this as going forward to Council, that he did not hear a lot of 'heart burn" from the Planning Commission. He anticipates drafting a cover-ordinance stating the guidelines are adopted into the Historic Preservation Guideline Manual with exhibits. He suggested a provision indicating guidelines that may be modified by HPC without coming back to Council, e.g., adding paint colors and/or fonts. If eliminated or changed, they would come back to Council for approval. There was agreement the guidelines were generally working and acceptable. Chair Berg suggested not having discussion on neon signs now, but bringing it to the hearing as needed. . VII. UPCOMING MEETINGS July 8, 2004 July 22, 2004 Meeting presumed canceled, unless otherwise notified. Public Hearing -- HPC Design Guidelines (7:00 p.m.) VIII. COMMUNICA nONS -- There were none Planning Commission Minutes, June 24, 2004 / Page 4 · · · IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Hersey and seconded by Mr. Irvin. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. J') , .¡ Æ íJ _~N-".l~ tl /f . /J Ri ard Berg, Chair ~~ Sheila A vis, Minute Taker Planning Commission Minutes, June 24, 2004 / Page 5