HomeMy WebLinkAbout3097 Amending PTMC Chapter 17.76 Signs Ordinance 3097
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ORDINANCE NO. 3097
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING
THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.76, SIGNS
WHEREAS, staff prepared information for the Planning Commission to consider
amending the Sign Code to allow for coordinated signage programs in public rights-of-way such
as the Blue Star Banner Program, and Merchant Information Signs (MIS); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission discussed the Sign Code recommendations
during a regular Planning Commission meeting (workshop) on August 22, 2013, and provided
additional recommendations; and
WHEREAS, on September 11, 2013 the SEPA Responsible Official issued an
Addendum to a previously issued Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) concerning the
proposed sign code amendments; and
WHEREAS, newspaper notice was given in the September 11, 2013 Jefferson County
Leader for the Planning Commission to hold a Public Hearing; and
WHEREAS, on September 26, 2013 the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing to
review Planning Commission recommendations; and
WHEREAS, after review of the record and thoughtful consideration and discussion, the
Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend changes incorporated into Exhibit A, Revisions
to PTMC Sign Code; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended that the proposed revisions be
advanced to City Council for a Public Hearing; and
WHEREAS, City Council held a Public Hearing on November 18, 2013; and
WHEREAS,the City Council determines it appropriate to declare, in this Ordinance, its
policy direction for revised language throughout Chapter 17.76 as shown in Exhibit A, Revisions
to PTMC Sign Code;
NOW, THEREFORE,the City Council of the City of Port Townsend ordains as
follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 17.76 Signs of the Port Townsend Municipal Code are amended
to read as follows (text in strikeout is deleted, text in underline is added):
See Attached Exhibit A for text changes.
Ordinance 3097
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SECTION 2. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, or the application or the
provision to other persons or circumstances, is not affected.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication
in the manner provided by law.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular
meeting thereof, held this 6th day of January 2014.
r
David King, Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form:
Pamela Kolacy, MMC, City Clerk John P. Watts, City Attorney
Exhibit A to Ordinance 3097
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1 EXHIBIT A
2
3 REVISED DRAFT BASED ON COUNCIL DIRECTION FROM 11/18/13 MEETING
4 SIGN CODE TEXT AMENDMENTS REGARDING
5 MERCHANT INFORMATION SIGN INSTALLATIONS AND
6 COORDINATED SIGNAGE PROGRAMS
7
8 The following proposed amendments to Chapters 17.76 have been prepared. The new language
9 is shown as underlined and the deleted language is shown in strikethrough.
10
11 Article II. Regulations
12 17.76.030 Definitions.
13 "means the adopted epefatienal and design standards for informational kiosks
14 be leeated wi"n publie FigWs of way in the uptown and downtown National Histefie Land
15 .
16 "Coordinated Signage Programs" is a non-commercial, unified signage program that may be
17 located within the public right-of-way within all commercial districts excepting those located
18 within the Port Townsend National Landmark Historic District(NHLD) . Signage programs of this
19 type allow for the display of banners for non-profit community festivals and/or events, or
20 commemorative signage for members of the armed services such as the Blue Star Banner signs
21 or other similar uses. Coordinated signage programs are approved by Council on a case by case
22 basis.
23 "Merchant Information Sign(MIS)program"means the adopted operational and design standards for
24 a signage program located within public rights-of-way of the Port Townsend National Landmark
25 Historic District(NHLD). The program is designed to direct pedestrians within the NHLD to various
26 public and private locations. This is done primarily via a NHLD map keyed to individual strips that
27 contain participant addresses. Where feasible and available,the MIS program will also allow
28 pedestrians to obtain participant information via electronic means. The use of Quick Response(QR)
29 codes is one current example of such electronic means but others may become available and
30 acceptable when determined so by the city. The city installs and maintains the sign and back map
31 panel. Participants purchase an addressing strip from the city,who arranges for its engraving and
32 installation on the MIS sign. The participant strip may,as space allows, contain a means to direct
33 persons electronically(via,e.g.,a OR code)to a participant's web site. The city may also use the MIS
34 signs in either electronic or written format, to provide notice of sanctioned events and information.
35
36
37 Article III. Signs Exempt from Permits
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Exhibit A to Ordinance 3097
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38 17.76.055-Special Exemption-Coordinated Signage Programs
39 Special exemption- Coordinated Signage Programs such as the Blue Star Banner signs or
40 similar programs as approved by City Council. Such signs may be displayed on utility or light
41 poles (with the permission of the utility) located within all commercial districts excepting those
42 located within the Port Townsend National Landmark Historic District(NHLD) . The City Council
43 shall review requests to establish a Coordinated Signage Program on a case-by-case basis to
44 determine if it is consistent with the intent of this provision and in the public interest. The
45 Council may approve the request as submitted, or approve the request with conditions, or may
46 deny the request.
47 Article IV. Special Category Signs-Prohibited Signs
48 17.76.070 - Prohibited signs.
49 The following signs are prohibited within the city:
50 L. Signs attached to utility poles or traffic signs. Exception: Coordinated Signage Programs
51 such as the Blue Star Banner signs and other similar programs deemed to be in the public's
52 interest as approved by City Council may be attached to utility poles with the permission of the
53 utility.
54 M. Signs within the public right-of-way except where specifically authorized herein. Other
55 exceptions include community event signs,permitted sandwich board signs, garage or rummage
56 sale signs, real estate open house or caravan tour signs, kiosks and signs which overhang the
57 public right-of-way as specifically authorized herein;
58 Article V. Sign Guidelines by Zoning District
59 17.76.080 National Historic Landmark District.
60 The following sign regulations shall apply within any mixed use, commercial, and public, park,
61 and open space zoning districts (i.e., C-I/MU, C-II/MU, C-1, C-II, C-II(H), C-III, C-IV, P/OS(A),
62 P/OS(B), and P-1) wherever lands within these zoning districts are also within the National
63 Historic Landmark District. Signs that exclusively use pre-approved colors and fonts may be
64 administratively approved. Other signs must be presented to the historic preservation committee
65 during a regularly scheduled meeting. Wood is the preferred sign material. See the design
66 guidelines for signs within the adopted Historic Preservation Standards Manual referenced in
67 PTMC 17.30.160.
68 Exception: Temporary signs and participant strips used in the merchant information sign (MIS)
69 program, including OR codes of a size approved by the City, are exempt from historic
70 preservation design review.
71 K. ,
72
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Exhibit A to Ordinance 3097
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73
friefidly
"Merchant
74 Information Sign (MIS) program"means the adopted operational and design standards for a
75 signage program located within the Port Townsend National Landmark Historic District
76 (NHLD). The program is designed to direct pedestrians within the NHLD to various public and
77 private locations This is done primarily via a NHLD map keyed to individual strips that contain
78 a participant's name and address Where feasible and available the MIS program may also allow
79 pedestrians to obtain participant information via electronic means. The use of Quick Response
80 (QR) codes is one current example of such means but others may become available and
81 acceptable when determined so by the city. The city installs and maintains the sign and back
82 map panel which are located primarily within public rights-of-way. Participants purchase an
83 addressing strip from the city, who arranges for its engrav ing and installation on the MIS panel.
84 The participant strip may, as space allows contain a means to direct persons electronically (via
85 e.g., a QR code) to a participant's web site. The city may also use the MIS installations to
86 provide notice of city-sanctioned events and information in either electronic or written format.
87 17.76.085 Merchant Information Sign program.
88 The merchant information sign(MIS)program establishes a uniform off-premises signage program
89 within public rights-of-way of the Port Townsend National Landmark Historic District(NHLD). The
90 program is designed to direct pedestrians within the NHLD to various public an d private locations.
91 Each MIS panel consists of a NHLD map keyed to individual strips that contain a participant's name
92 and address Additional information, such as a logo can be permitted as space allows Each MIS
93 panel will allow up to eight(8)individual participant strips. In addition to the provisions contained in
94 this section,the DSD Director is authorized to formulate and adopt procedures for administration of
95 the MIS program.
96 A. Applicability. To be eligible for the MIS program,participants must meet the following criteria:
97 1. MIS participants may be any public,private or non-profit entity with a physical location
98 (i.e. address)within the NHLD. A participant may have one strip within the program.
99 Preference is given to street level businesses on Water or Lawrence Streets.
100 2 Participants will be given the chance to advertise on one MIS panel,however,inclusion is
101 on a space available first come-first served basis If no space exists on a preferred MIS
102 panel then a qualified participant may request to be put on a waiting list for that panel. As
103 participants leave the program(or a particular panel),the first entity on the waiting list queue
104 will be given the chance to advertise on that MIS panel.
105 3 A seasonal business may participate but must pay a fee for the MIS strip to be covered or
106 removed by staff during the time the business is not in operation.
107 B. Standards. Signage shall be subject to the following standards:
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Exhibit A to Ordinance 3097
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108 1. The city installs and maintains the sign and back man panel. Participants purchase an
109 addressing strip from the city who arranges for its engraving and installation on the MIS
110
panel-
111 2 The participant strip may, as space allows,contain a means to direct persons electronically
112 (via,e.g.,a OR code)to a participant's web site. The use of Quick Response(QR)codes is
113 one current example of such means but others may become available and acceptable when
114 determined so by the city. Any use of electronic means of communication must relate directly
115 to an individual participant's line of work and be approved by the City as part of the
116 application process prior to installation.
117 3. The city may also use the MIS panels to provide notice of city-sanctioned events and
118 information in either electronic or written format.
119 C Application A business or org zation that meets the criteria identified in subsection A of this
120 section may apply for participation in the MIS program by submitting the following materials:
121 1 A completed application on a form as prepared by the Development Services Department
122 2. The Merchant Information Sign Program is subject to re-evaluation and may be changed
123 and/or removed through Council action.
124 D. Review Process. The subject application shall be subject to a Type I review and appeal process.
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