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HomeMy WebLinkAbout062909CITY 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 special 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 unpemritted 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. City Council Special Meefing Page 1 June 2J, 2009 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 staff on these issues and fundamentally, the Planning Commission's direction_has prevailed at this point. "1'he 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 City Council Special Meeting Page 2 Jmxe 29, 2009 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 may or 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 learn 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 agreed with Ms. Nelson that establishing new rules now based on what might happen in two years does not make sense. 1n 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 thev 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. City Council Special ,41eeh'ng Page 3 June 39, 2009 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 owner as well as the building 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. 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 toor frontage on Water Street will not be allowed a sandwich board sign, but if 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. City Councf7 Special A9eeling Page 4 June 29, 2009 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 accupied). 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 reconvened at 8:50 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON ALLOWING "DEPARTURES" FROM SIGN CODE REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT WITH IlES1GN 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 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 aspect 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 Paz 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 "retto" activity feature be considered so that existing non conforming signs can either have status quo or revisit the issue. City Council Special Meeting Page 5 June 19, 2009 Comments followed regarding "master" sign process, general agreement that the master plan would bean "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: ,~ _ i ,= v 1 .~, v/J_ Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Meeftng Page 6 June 29, 2009