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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2009-08-17 Item 5D - Update - Briefing on Sign Code ProcessCAS Number 09-116 Meetin Date 08/17/09 Prepared by 1 Mayor review BM I A-A-6- ITEM INFORMATION 1 ORIGIN \LAGENDA DATE: AUGUST 17, 2009 Au :N[1\ I'rl .nr TITLE Briefing on Sign Code Update Process C 1'1(;( )RY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bad Award Public Heanng Other Mtg Date 08/17/09 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date A1tg Date Mtg Date tlltg Date SPONSOR Council Mayor Adm Svcs DCD Finance Fire Legal PYR Police PW SIk)NSOR's The Sign Code Advisory Committee has completed its work on the sign code update. The SL'MNI.\R\' next phase of the update process will be review by the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff will provide a briefing to the City Council on the public participation completed to date and remaining opportunities for public participation. The Council President and the Chair of the Community Affairs and Parks Committee have determined this matter should go directly to the full Council for discussion. RI IEWEI) BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte Transportation Cmte Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm. DATE. RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR /ADMIN Department of Community Development Cc )i\1 vlrrrr.I Fund Source: Continents: 1 MTG. DATE 8/17/09 ExPI :NDITURF, RI?QUIR[;D MTG. DATE 8/17/09 COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Inaua/s COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE AMOUNT BUDGETED Council review RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION ATTACHMENTS Informational Memorandum dated 8/10/09 Letter to parties of record ITEM NO. c2( APPROPRIATION REQUIRED City of Tukwila TO Mayor Haggerton City Council BACKGROUND INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM FROM: Jack Pace, Director Brandon J. Miles, Senior Planner DATE: August 10, 2009 SUBJECT: Sign Code Update: Next Steps ISSUE In addition to the Committee's work, staff also attempted to open a dialogue with interested parties who would be impacted by the sign code. The following actions were completed by staff: Jim Haggerton, Mayor Staff is preparing for the next phase of the sign code update. This briefing is intended to inform the Council on the actions already undertaken regarding the update process and the proposed process for this next phase. Note: The Council President and Chair of the Community Affairs and Parks Committee have concluded this matter can come straight to the whole Council for discussion. In 2007, the City Council identified a need to update the City's sign code. The City's current sign code was adopted in 1982 and only piecemeal changes have been done to the code. The Council realized that a complete rewrite of the code was needed in order for the code to reflect changes to the City since 1982. Signs impact almost all residents, businesses, and property owners. From the very beginning of the update process, the Mayor's Office, City Council and City staff realized that the update process needed a large public involvement component. To assist in the update process, the Mayor's Office recommended and the City Council approved the creation of a Sign Code Advisory Committee (hereafter referred to as "Committee The Committee was comprised of Council Members, a Planning Commission member, business owners, and residents. The Committee met a total of six times to provide input on various issues related to regulating signage within the City. Various topics were discussed at each meeting; these topics included permanent signage, temporary signage, billboards, and freeway interchange signs. The meetings of the Sign Code Committee were open to the public and staff invited interested parties to come to the meeting to address any concerns, recommendations, and provide suggestions. 1 Briefing to the Hwy 99 Action Committee prior to the formation of the Sign Code Committee. Staff used this briefing to address sign issues on Tukwila International Blvd (TIB) and to solicit interested parties who might want to serve on the Sign Committee. 2. The Hazelnut was utilized on several occasions to notify businesses and residents about the update and to solicit members to serve on the Committee. Additionally, notification on the creation of the Sign Committee was published in the Highline Times 3 Briefing to the Hwy 99 Action Committee on the recommendations of the Sign Code Committee including specific impacts to TIB. INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 4. Briefing to the Government Affairs Committee of the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce on the recommendations of the Sign Code Committee. 5. Staff met with representatives from Westfield Southcenter on two occasions (February 12, 2009 and March 30, 2009). 6. The City sent a letter to Westfield Southcenter requesting specific input on any proposed changes they would like to see regarding the new sign code. 7. A letter was sent to parties of record requesting specific input on the recommendations of the Committee (See Attachment A). 8. City staff is in discussions with Clear Channel Outdoors on the future of billboards within the City. 9. Throughout the entire update process, the City has utilized a webpage to keep interested parities informed of the update process The webpage included an HTML Zink that allowed people to be added to a contact list. Prior to meetings of the Committee, emails were sent out to interested parties informing them of the topics of the upcoming meetings. The Committee's documents were placed on the website. DISCUSSION With the Sign Code Committee's work completed, the next step of the update process is for review by the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff is proposing four to five meetings of the Planning Commission in the fall to discuss the recommendations of the Sign Code Committee and to recommend a draft code for review by the City Council. As with the meetings of the Committee, the Planning Commission will review specific topic areas regarding signage. All meetings will be open to the public and time will be permitted at each meeting for public input. The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing once a draft code is prepared. Staff wants to continue to engage the public during the next phase of the Sign Code Update. The following lists the remaining public engagement efforts that staff proposes to undertake: 1. A final letter to parties of record requesting input on the recommendations of the Sign Code Advisory Committee. All parties of record will be invited to meet directly with City Staff. 2. Notices to all Sign Contractors who have conducted business in the City in the last two years. 3. Advertisements in the Puget Sound Business Journal and Highline Times. 4. Formal legal ad in the Seattle Times. 5. Once a draft code is completed, staff will conduct an open house prior to review by the City Council. Staff will also update the sign code update website with information on the new code. 6. Staff will continue to use the Hazelnut during and after the update process. Once the new Sign Code is adopted, staff will continue to educate and work with the public to assist them in adjusting to the new code. For example, staff will conduct an open house for businesses to brief them on the new Sign Code and will mail out notices to sign contractors. RECOMMENDATION Information Only. Staff would appreciate any suggestions by the City Council for the next phase of the Sign Code Update Process. ATTACHMENTS A. Letter to interested parties April 9, 2009 City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor Department of Community Development Jack Pace, Director CITY REQUESTS INPUT ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SIGN CODE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dear Interested Party: Throughout 2008 and 2009, the City of Tukwila has been working on a comprehensive update of its sign code. The purpose of the update is to create a sign code that is reflective of a growing and diverse community, which can provide a variety of sign options for business and residents, while maintaining a quality visual environment. From the start of the update process the City realized the importance of public participation. During the summer and fall of 2008, a Sign Code Advisory Committee reviewed some of the many issues associated with the update. The Sign Code Advisory Committee consisted of City Council Members, a Planning Commission Member, residents, and businesses representatives. The City would like to invite you to provide comments on the policy recommendations provided in the Sign Code Advisory Committee's Final Report. The final report of the Sign Code Advisory Committee can be found at httn: /www.ci.tukwila .wa.us /dcd /sikncode /Aeenda 2009.01.29.ndf. The Planning Commission is scheduled to start deliberating on the new sign code in July. Please provide your feedback to the City by May 15, 2009. City staff is available to meet with you to discuss the final report and to discuss any suggestions you may have regarding the new sign code. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a time to meet, please call (206) 431 -3684 or send an email to bmiles cr.ci.tukwila.wa.us. S ely, Br ddn J. Miles Senior Planner cc. File 6300 SouthcenterBoulevard, Suite #100 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Phone: 206- 431 -3670 Fax: 206 431 -3665