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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090808CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session the eighth day of September 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Brent Butler, David King, Laurie Medlicott, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval and Mark Welch. Catharine Robinson was excused. Staff members present were, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Planning Director Rick Sepier, Land Use Development Specialist Suzanne Wassmer, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. Also present: George Unterseher from the Planning Commission PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON PROPOSED REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 17.76 PTMC, SIGNS Mr. Sepler reviewed the packet materials and noted that he provided some definitions of illuminated signage as requested by Ms. Robinson and also discussed the issues that are pending with Upper Sims Way signage in the right of way. He noted that monument signs have been permitted in the right of way on Upper Sims as an incentive to build support for the Gateway Plan and to hasten the replacement of legal non-conforming pole signs. Now that Upper Sims improvements are being planned, Council guidance will be sought on several questions related to signage, as delineated in his memo. Mr. Sepler also stated that sandwich boards are a continuing issue for discussion and the Planning Commission and ad hoc committees have offered somewhat different approaches to that issue. Other issues for discussion included a request from the Farmers Market to display banners on street poles and the Memorial Field fence and whether the sign code should be changed to allow for certain non-profits with recurring events to use sandwich boards, banners, etc. An a-mail from Larry Dennison regarding signage on Sims Way for off street businesses was also distributed. City Council Workshop Page 1 September 8 2008 Council agreed to hold those items for discussion and begin with a page by page review of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Randels noted that he forgot his marked up notes on the ordinance but will e- mail to staff. Issues raised during the page by page process included the following. Ms. Sandoval asked staff to consider moving the "exemptions" section up front so is immediately apparent which signs are not covered by the code so that people don't have to read through the entire code and then find that they do not need a permit. Mr. Sepler stated that staff will try to make the sequence more logical. Ms. Sandoval asked how it is possible to measure whether an illuminated sign "spills out into the night sky." Mr. Sepler noted that there are meters or wattage calculations that can be used but a really satisfactory method for measuring hasn't been found. He stated that requiring downward facing fixtures with shields is the approach we have taken. Council agreed that administrative appeals should be processed through the Hearings Examiner. Discussion regarding new technologies for signage and impact on sign regulations; the sign industry is continually thinking of new ways to attract attention and regulations must anticipate this. As much cross-referencing as possible is desirable {i.e., cross reference definitions to time limits when applicable). "Portable" signs other than sandwich boards, such as reader boards, should have a separate definition. Question regarding the requirement that sandwich boards can be placed on public right of way only with the permission of the abutting property owner: do we want to allow private individuals control over use of public right of way? Should certain real estate directions signs be legal for limited periods in right of way? Staff will propose code language with designated time limit on such signs. Discussion about political signs and recent legal challenges. City Attorney will research and provide information on limitations which can be placed on political signs. City Council Workshop Page 2 September 8 2008 Question regarding date reference on page 23, line 33 (historic district murals in existence "on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter" exempt from permits). Staff will research. Should off -premise real estate signs be prohibited throughout the city as well as in the historic district? Typo identified on page 26, line 30 (remove "and" between "current" and "proof"). "Project Signs" at bottom of page 26 should be double underlined as new section. Question as to how this would affect currently existing signs which fit these criteria (existing signs should not have greater life span than new signs under this section). Any fees contained in the ordinance should be removed and placed in a fee schedule. On page 29, change to appeal to Hearing Examiner rather than City Council. RECESS Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 8:35 pm for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE Council then moved on to discussion of the major items identified at the beginning of the meeting. Illuminated Signs Illuminated sign definitions were provided in response to Ms. Robinson's request. There was brief discussion. Signage on Upper Sims W~ Mr. Randels stated there is a difference between signs in the right of way that have been in existence more than six years (enough time to amortize investment) and those approved for less than six years. It seems that if signs have been permitted but their costs have not been amortized, it would be appropriate for the City to share in the cost of relocation. However, it does appear that from now on, signs must not be allowed in the right of way Mr. Sepler stated signs in the right of way are no longer permitted. If the legal signs cannot be relocated, some sort of alternative sign should be allowed and illegal signs must simply be removed. City Council Workshop Page 3 September 8 2008 There was general consensus that this was the direction from Council and also that there must be discussions among staff and business owners regarding the options. Farmers Market Banner Signs The primary issues raised during this discussion included setting standards for the signage; whether the City is prepared to offer the same sign "package" for other annual recurring events and what the cumulative impact would be; and what a "reasonable" number of signs would be for each event. Staff will research and provide a proposal. Alternatives for sandwich boards outside historic district Mayor Sandoval distributed an a-mail from Larry Dennison regarding directing travelers to other businesses off the main transportation corridor. Mr. Sepler noted that this issue had been discussed at both the ad hoc committee and the Planning Commission. The general consensus was that sandwich boards, if allowed anywhere, are only appropriate where there is pedestrian orientation (not drive by automobile traffic). Mr. Welch stated that it would be good to try to find some way to direct people into that alternative business district (Boat Haven) as a service to the businesses but do it without creating sign clutter. Mr. Sepler stated that kiosks are also pedestrian oriented so are not a viable alternative. Mr. King suggested that staff investigate some way of providing a "district" sign, alerting traffic to the existence of shops and restaurants off the highway. Mr. Sepler stated that staff will come up with some standards for "district" signs, with the suggestion that they be municipal rather than commercial; they would then need to be approved by the Council. Sandwich board signs Mrs. Medlicott stated that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has supported LTAC funding to pay for kiosk signage in specific locations, with individual businesses then paying for their slot on the kiosk. She stated it is important to have education in place and let business owners know what the City's plan is; she feels strongly that the ordinance must be crafted with a time lag to allow for the kiosks to go up, and then have sandwich boards gracefully exited. She stated this plan is a good tourism enhancement and also an economic incentive to businesses located in the commercial district. City Council Workshop Page 4 September 8 2008 Mrs. Medlicott left the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Mr. Sepler noted that the Planning Commission recommendation differs from the ad hoc sign committee in terms of allowing sandwich boards to continue for businesses located on side streets (not Water Street) and to advertise upper story businesses. Ms. Sandoval stated that there were many small business owners from all districts on the ad hoc sign committee and there was unanimous agreement that sandwich board signs should be eliminated in conjunction with a period of amortization for legally established signs and institution of the kiosk signs, perhaps with incentive to have their business be placed on the kiosk without cost if they remove the sign prior to end of amortization period. Current illegal signs would have no grace period. A proposed sunset period for legal signs was six years. Mr. Randels stated that he believes that as soon as enforcement starts, the problem will go away because there will be far fewer signs. He suggested limiting the number of signs through enforcement and revisiting the issue in three years. Mr. Welch stated he believes the kiosks are the ultimate solution and supports getting them designed and in place soon. He stated he does not want to damage businesses, but to make the change in a compassionate way. Mr. King stated he supports the scenario proposed by the ad hoc committee but would prefer a shorter time frame than six years for removal of currently legal sandwich boards signs. Mr. Butler stated concerns about the timing of the ordinance in this economic climate. Ms. Sandoval stated that the committee work should be valued; she also noted the Council has been working on this far too long and should craft a long term solution. She stated there is no evidence that removing sandwich board signs will impact businesses. Mr. Sepler said that sandwich boards are not necessary downtown when placed directly in front of the business; only businesses on upper floors and side streets may be helped by this type of signage. Mr. Welch stated it appears all are in agreement about the desirability of kiosks and removal of illegal sandwich board signs. Ms. Sandoval recommended that Councilors read the report from the Ad Hoc Sign Committee again. Staff will re-distribute. City Council Workshop Page 5 September 8 2008 Ms. Wassmer reminded the Council that in terms of effective enforcement, the simpler the rules, the easier enforcement will be. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. Attest: ~, ~~ Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Page 6 September 8 2008