HomeMy WebLinkAbout062909 CC MinutesDRAFT
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF JUNE 29, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the
twenty-ninth day of June at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City
Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris
Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval with Mark
Welch excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John
Watts, DSD Director Rick Sepler, Land Use Development Specialist Suzanne
Wassmer, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy .
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON ORDINANCE 3012, AMENDING PORT
TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE 17.76, SIGNS
DSD Director Rick Sepler reviewed the packet materials,
Mr. Randels requested that staff clarify the sign lettering size needed per a
particular number of miles per hour as there is an inconsistency in the staff
memo.
Mr. King asked how many of the unpermitted signs identified in the survey could
be legally permitted if they chose. Mr. Sepler stated he believed about 15 were
in compliance but not permitted.
Ms. Nelson asked if the City is planning to adopt the state's "blue sign"
program; Mr. Sepler stated that if such a program were adopted, it would be
specific to the City.
Ms. Sandoval noted that a number of business owners from different business
districts within the City served on the ad hoc sign committee. This was
confirmed by Suzanne Wassmer of the Planning Department.
Ms. Nelson asked about Attachment 3 (sign matrix), and where the decision
making process is now regarding limiting sandwich boards to upper floors and
businesses off the street. Mr. Sepler stated that the Council gave direction to
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staff on these issues and fundamentally, the Planning Commission's direction
has prevailed at this point. The Council also discussed the kiosk program that is
planned for the future.
Mr. Timmons noted that the City needs a smarter way to address the issue of
directional signage that is effective in drawing in customers. He added that the
City wants to work cooperatively with businesses to solve the problem.
Public Comment
Audry Fain and the Raging Grannies.
Rich Coletta stated he has more signatures on a petition supporting sandwich
boards outside the downtown district.
Kelly Dodson, Far Reaches Farm supporting sandwich boards outside the
downtown district.
Donna Harding of PT Arts Guild regarding signs for temporary events. Mr.
Sepler clarified that these signs would not be affected by the proposed
regulations.
Karen Graham, has business on Washington Street and supports sandwich
boards.
Vi Koenig regarding Council's responsiveness to public comment and petitions.
Chris ? from Irondale supporting sandwich boards.
Mona Steffler on behalf of Far Reaches Farm.
Mayor Sandoval noted that Council has also received a letter from the DASH
group (Disability Awareness Starts Here) and a photo of President Lynn
Gressley, who is vision impaired, trying to navigate a Water Street sidewalk
among a group of sandwich board signs. DASH believes that sandwich boards
pose an issue for disabled people.
Ms. Nelson stated that the kiosk program is far down the road in time and she
would not like to make a decision affecting the current situation that is tied to the
kiosks that mayor may not happen; she also stated that sandwich boards, when
randomly placed, are not the best solution for businesses or the public.
Mr. Randels stated that the vast majority team the rules before they act and if
others are allowed to get away without following the rules the message for those
who comply is "you're asucker" -not the message the City wants to send. He
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agreed with Ms. Nelson that establishing new rules now based on what might
happen in two years does not make sense.
In response to a question from Mrs. Medlicott, Mr. Sepler confirmed that
sandwich boards outside the downtown area have been illegal since 1992.
Mr. King stated that in addition to listening to concerns raised by individuals at
meetings and through correspondence, the Council desires to honor the work of
the many citizens who participated on the various committees which studied the
issue to try and craft a fair ordinance. He added that the city needs to be
accommodating to business needs as far as possible without setting a standard
we can't live with; he believes there are solutions other than sandwich boards.
Ms. Robinson noted that many people have commented without having the full
information on what Council is considering so many opinions are not based on all
the facts; even if one has all the facts it is very complex. She stated the Council
is trying to make things work in a way that is predictable so visitors can figure out
the sign code when they are here.
In response to Ms. Sandoval's question about staff direction, Mr. Sepler stated
that the ad hoc committee recommended eliminating sandwich boards and
offering an incentive for placement on kiosks to people who gave up their
grandfathered sandwich boards; Planning Commission recommended
that sandwich boards would not be allowed as an additional means of advertising
for businesses fronting on Water Street but rather for those on off streets and
upper floors. He stated staff needs direction on which recommendaton is
preferred.
Mr. Timmons stated as the streetscape is redeveloped, there must be more
predictabiliy and uniformity of process; signs placed randomly create liability for
the city when placed in the right of way; there is a potential for injury and the city
has had claims in the past because of the boards being hazardous to
pedestrians.
After further discussion, Mr. Sepler stated the direction to staff that the Planning
Commission recommendation is preferred, with some outstanding details to be
resolved (such as whether business operator as well as business owner must
allow placement adjacent to business); businesses can keep one legal pre-
existing nonconforming sign at least until the kiosk program is developed.
Ms. Sandoval stated that multiple businesses could advertise on one board and
that the City can encourage this sort of sharing. She also suggested linking sign
permits to business permits and noted that maintenance of the sandwich boards
is also an issue once they are permitted and placed.
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Mr. Randels requested information on how many currently permitted signs are for
businesses with first floor Water Street frontage. He recalled that the
recommendation was to require numerous tenants who don't have Water Street
frontage to have one sandwich board. He stated that legallly permitted signs
should be allowed to remain for a certain amount of time and then sunset.
Mr. Sepler stated that the Council could adopt interim controls over permitting
new sandwich boards for Water Street businesses.
Mr. Sepler stated staff will proceed with the current draft which provides that after
adoption, businesses with ground floor frontage on Water Street will not be
allowed a sandwich board sign, but 'rf you are off street, in the back of the
building or above you can get one. Only one sign will be permitted per doorway
and the property owner must arrange to put all tenants on that sign. Kiosks are
allowed with no specificity. The current draft does not address sunsetting since
that issue was not yet fully developed.
Ms. Sandoval listed outstanding issues, one of which is whether sandwich
boards should be displayed only during business hours. She also asked if the
Council wants to consider an interim control so there will not be more non-
conforming Water Street sandwich boards to contend with when sunsetting is
discussed.
Mr. Randels stated he is in favor of interim controls.
There was continued discussion regarding whether signs should remain in place
(sometimes confusing as to when business is open as well as presenting issues
when sidewalk maintenance is required) or be taken in (with heavy ballast it can
be a chore and if they remain in place there won't be inadvertent rearrangement
of the space occupied).
Mr. Sepler suggested a workshop be scheduled to address signs outside the
Historic District.
Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 8:35 p.m. for the pupose of a break. The
meeting was re~nvened at 8:50 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON ALLOWING
"DEPARTURES" FROM SIGN CODE REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THE
HISTORIC DISTRICT WITH DESIGN REVIEW APPROVAL
Mr. Sepler stated that the sign code departure process would give staff some
latitude to deal with entities like Far Reaches Farm or the Port of Port
Townsend wanting to consolidate signage at the entrance to Point
Hudson. The departure methodology or the master sign permit program might
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work and staff could prepare revisions to the Planning Commission's
recommendation to include this concept. Council agreed that this issue should
be on a separate track from the current ordinance.
Mr. Timmons stated that at the administrative level, discussions are centered
on how to address the creativity or design asepct since one size does not fit
all. He added that the National Sign Association has some guidelines and
suggestions that may be a good starting point.
Mr. Sepler stated that staff would come up with a "bright line" test for whether
proposed signage would be eligible for the departure process.
Public Comment
Kelly Dodson of Far Reaches stated he appreciated the in depth discussion
and thanked the Council for their desire to continue discussion of signs for
businesses outside the historic district.
Mr. Randels suggested that a "retro" activity feature be considered so that
existing non conforming signs can either have status quo or revisit the issue.
Comments followed regarding "master" sign process, general agreement that
the master plan would be an "umbrella" and departures would be within that
framework; departures would not be intended to be on a single sign basis.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
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