HomeMy WebLinkAboutSignCodeAttachment 5ATTACHMENT s °F~grr~w
City of Port Townsend ~ y8z
Long Range Planning Department ~ i,.. °
Waterman & Katz Building `~
I8l Quincy Street, Suite 301A, Port Townsend, WA 98368 ~`OFw+~•'"
(360} 379-5081 FAX (360) 385-7675
MEMO
March 22, 2005
'1'0: Mayor Catharine Robinson and Members of the City Council
From: Jeff Randall, Long Range Planning
Re: Marclt 28a' Sigrr Code Workshop
Background
Late last year, the City Council requested that a workshop be held in the first quarter of 2005 to
review the need for possible amendments to the sign code. This memo will provide some
background on the history of the sign code, a summary of its major provisions, and a suggested
format for the workshop on Mazch 28`h.
A Brief History of the Sign Code
In t 986 the City adopted a new and consolidated sign code (ordinance #2039). Some of the
purposes established in the first sign code were to "enhance the natural beauty of the city, create
a more attractive economic and business climate . _ .display signs that harmonize with buildings
... and other signs in the area .. _ to reduce signs or advertising distractions and obstructions
that may contribute to traffic accidents ...eliminate clutter ...and preserve and protect the
viety of the sea, the mountains, and the historic qualities of the city_ " Section 1, ordinance
#2039. Some key elements of the 1986 sign code included:
• A sign permit process was established to create different standards for signage in the
commercial, manufacturing, and residential zoning districts.
• Basic sign guidelines were adopted for the National Landmark Historic District.
• Prohibited signs included: most off-premise signs (billboards), flashing or blinking
signs, and roof-mounted signs. Businesses were even one year to bring
nonconfomung signs into compliance (1987);
• Square footage limits for internally illuminated signs.
The 1986 sign code was complex and detailed. However, it apparently included a number of
gaps or loopholes as it was entirely rewritten in 1991.
Ordinance 2249 was adopted in July of 1991. Key elements of the 1991 code included:
• Entire sign code was reformatted and updated;
Specific regulatory provisions were created for the commercial historic district;
Total allowable sign area for businesses outside the historic district was increased;
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Maximum sign height limits were established (17 feet outside the historic district, 2"d
story window silt height within the historic commercial districts); and
Specific provisions were written for monument signs along Sims Way.
Apparently nonconforming signs were still a problem. Anew deadline of July 31, 1992 was
established for signs made nonconforming by the 1986 sign code (original deadline had been
1987) and signs made nonconforming by the 1991 amended sign code were given until July 31,
1997 to achieve compliance. Incentives in the form of sign area bonuses were provided for
businesses that brought their signs into compliance earlier. Prohibited signs included
commercial sandwich boards signs, billboards, bench signs, streamers, and flashing or moving
signs.
Lust a few months later (October 1991) the sign code was amended again by ordinance #2265 to
allow sandwich board signs in the historic district, prohibit signs oriented towards the water
unless the building had awater-side entrance, and street use fees for "tour assembly" sandwich
board signs were waived. Ordinance #2265 also allowed "temporar}~' sandwich board signs in
the Gateway Corridor for a period of 2-years following the adoption of the Gateway Plan (or
until December 31, 1994 whichever came first). These sandwich boards were required to be in
front of the businesses advertised.{not off-site).
In 1992, business owners with signs made nonconforming by the 1986 code successfully
obtained a 5-year extension for their nonconforming signs until July 31, 1997 (ordinance 2318).
All nonconforming signs in the city were required to achieve compliance by this date.
In October 1995 the exception for temporary sandwich board signs along Sims Way was
repeated {the Gateway plan had been adopted and in place for 2 years) and the regulations on
political signs were modified to eliminate restrictions on how long prior to an election political
signs could be displayed on private property.
The sign code has not been amended in any significant way since 1995. A significant code
enforcement effort occurred in 1997 that resulted in elimination of many nonconforming signs.
Key Features of Current Sign Code
Prior to the workshop, please read {or ai least skim) the current Port Townsend sign code. Key
definitions from Title 17 have also been provided. Some key features are the current sign code
are:
Sign pernuts required for a[! signs unless they are listed among exempt signs (17.76.070}.
The town is divided into four different sign code "districts." Each district has its own formula
for determining types of signs permitted, maximum allowable sign area, sign height, and
specialty signs like sandwich board and monument signs: These areas are:
1. The historic district (17.76.030) -sandwich board signs allowed;
2. Residential districts (17.76.040) -most restrictive sign regulations;
3. Commercial and public districts outside of the historic district (17.76.050) -most
permissive sign area;
4. Marine related and manufacturing districts (17.76.040) -more restrictive than
commercially zoned areas.
