HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2004-10-25 Item 4B - Ordinance - TMC Title 19 Certain Types of Signage COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
#y'' Initialr ITEM NO.
X 4' 1 Meeting Date I Prebared Mayor's review I Council review
N� z I 10/25/04 I SL itAL /.44
r
4 \c),
obe 1 1 1 I
I I I I
ITEM INFORMATION
I CAS NUMBER: 04-144 IORIGINAL DATE: 10 /25/04
AGENDA ITEM TITLE MODIFICATIONS TO TMC TITLE 19 REGARDING CERTAIN TYPES OF SIGNAGE
CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other
Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Ma Adm Svcs DCD Finance Fire Legal P&R Police P117 I
SPONSOR'S THE PROPOSED CHANGES ADDRESS SIGN ISSUES AT PUBLIC FACILITES WITHIN PUBLIC
SUMMARY RECREATION OVERLAY DISTRICTS, ANIMATED SIGNS WITHIN PUBLIC RECREATION
OVERLAY DISTRICTS AND MUSUEMS.
REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte Transportation Cmte
Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm.
DATE: 9 -14 -04 9 -28 -04
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR /ADMIN. (See attached staff memo.)
COMMI I1 L^ E
COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$NA $NA $NA
Fund Source: NA
Comments: NA
NITS. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
MTG.DATE ATTACHMENTS
10/25/04 MEMO FROM STEVE LANCASTER DIRECTOR OF DCD (10/18/04)
DRAFT ORDINANCE PREPARED BY STARFIRE
MINUTES FROM CAP MEETING, SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
MINUTES FROM CAP MEETING, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004
MEMO
TO: COW
FROM: Steve Lancaster, Director Dept. of Community Development
RE: Proposed Sign Code Changes.,)~'/,~,L'x/a~'/
DATE: October 18, 2004 ~'
Introduction
In September I briefed the Community Affairs and Parks Committee on a sign proposal
presented to the City from the soccer facility at Fort Dent Park (Starfire). Since that time,
City staff has also met with the Museum of Flight and the City of Tukwila Parks
Department regarding slgnage at their facilities. DCD staff has identified five issues
regarding the City's sign code.
Starfrre did prepare a draft ordinance when they proposed changes to the City's Sign Code.
That draft ordinance is attached with this memo. In some of the subsections below you will
note that a brief overview of Starfire's proposal is presented followed by Staff's
recommendation.
Issue 1, Scoreboards
Background
Under the existing code, scoreboards are considered signs and subject to the limitations
placed on signs under TMC Tire 19. Existing regulations limit a public facility in a
residential zone to one sign (freestanding or wall) for each frontage with a maximum sign
area of 60 square feet and a maximum height of 16 feet. The existing scoreboard at Foster
High School was permitted using this code requirement. This however limits any future
signage at the stadium, such as a freestanding sign along S. 144m Street or a wall sign.
This code provision has also proven to be very limiting to the new soccer facility at Ft. Dent
Park (Staffire). The Starfire facility would actually not be permitted any type of signage
since it does not front on any public street.
The Starfire Facility is comprised of seven soccer fields, one of which is the large stadium
field and the operators of the facility would like to have a scoreboard al each field. It should
be noted that there were two existing scoreboards at the two softball fields when the City
acquired the park from King County.
Starfire's Proposal
Modify TMC 19.08.030 regarding animated signs to note that scoreboards at athletic
facilities shall not be considered animated signs.
Staff's Recommendation
Modify TMC 19.08 and provide the following definition:
Scoreboard is a visual communication device used to display the time, score, period,
quarters, innings, downs, yards to go, and any other information directly relevant to a
sporting event.
Modify TMC 19.08.030 to note that scoreboards shall not be considered animated signs.
Modify TMC 19.12.050 as follows: 1) exempt scoreboards fro~ having to obtain a permit
2) Scoreboards must meet the illumination and brightness limitations set forth in TMC
19.12.035 3) Scoreboards will only be permitted on sports fields 4) Scoreboards must be
oriented towards the sport's field and must not be legible from the public right of way or
adj acem properties.
Issue 2, Signs (Permanent and Temporary within Public Facilities)
Back~round
Many public facilities tend to have smaller signs within the facility noting sponsorship of
fields, sponsorship of scoreboards, floor files recognizing sponsorship, and other types of
s~gnage which would differ from other commercial businesses.
The purpose of the sign code is to establish regulations to minimize clutter and distraction
and orderly appearance of the City and the City streets. The City's s~gn code does not
regulate signs that are installed within buildings such as Southcenter Mall because they are
not visible from City streets or from adjacent properties.
The proposed sponsorship signs at Starfire would also not be visible from the public right of
way or from adjacent properties. The signs would be directed towards patrons that are
already on the site.
The Musuem of Flight has also proposed signage near some of their planes that are kept
outdoors. These mgns are used for identification of the planes and to aid museum patrons
that are using the facility. Like Starfire, these signs are intended for patrons that are already
on the site.
Starfire's Proposal
Starfire's proposal only includes temporary signs and would require that such signs be pre-
approved by the Director of Community Development or the Parks Director.
Staff's Recommendation
Under TMC 19.12.050 clarify that non-animated signs within Public Facilities in the Public
Recreation Overlay District that are not oriented towards the public right-of-way or adjacent
properties and are not legible from the public right of way or adjacent properties are exempt
from the City's sign regulations. Signs that are placed on Park's property would require the
permission from the Park's and Recreation Director, yet a permit from the Department of
Community Development would not be required.
Issue 3, Animated Signs at Sport Facilities
The operators of the Starfire Soccer Facility have proposed using an Animated Sign on the
main field at the complex. The sign would use video displays for advertising purposes
before, during, and after soccer matches.
The sign would be placed on the main field at the complex and would be directed towards
patrons on the site. The video displays would not be intended t6 attract individuals who are
off-site.
TMC 19.08.030 defines an animated sign as follows, "Any sign or portion of which
physically moves, appears to flash, undulate, pulse or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes
light, or blinking or chasing lights, or which appear m move toward or away from the
viewer, to expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist, scroll, travel or otherwise portrays
movement of animation at a frequency more rapid than once every 24 hours. Signs or
portions of signs displaying a changing message content that is strictly limited to time, date,
or temperature shall not be construed to be ammated."
Under this definition, the proposed video displays at Starfire would not be pennitted.
Starfire's Proposal
Animated signs would be permitted under TMC 19.32.080 subject to the following
standards:
· The sign must be for a public facility where patrons attend to watch and/or
participate in a sporting or similar event.
· Only one such sign is permitted per sports field.
· Moving ~mages only may only be shown during the sporting or other similar event
and one hour before and after the evem.
The sign must have a minimum visibility from the public streets and residential area.
· The sign is limited te 40 feet in height.
· The face of the sign may be no more than 400 square feet.
Staff's Recommendation
Amended TMC Title 19 to permit an/mated signs that change message more frequently than
once every twenty-four hours for public facilities located in a Public Recreation Overlay.
Such signs would be permitted subject to a Type II decision with certain limitations such as:
· The signs are only permitted at a sports stadium that has a seating capacity of 2,000
persons or greater.
· Only one sign will be permitted per field.
· The animated sign can only be used one hour before the scheduled event and one
hour after the scheduled event.
· The size of the sign will be based on an increasing scale in regards to the sign's
proximity to residential uses.
· The sign must comply with the illumination and brightness level set forth in TMC
19.12.035.
· The animated sign must face away from adjacent properties, pubic right of ways,
public trails, and water bodies. The animated sign must .have minimal visibility
from adjacent properties, public right of way, and public trails.
· The sign must meet the setback requirement of TMI7 19.32.070, which is a foot of
setback from all property lines for every foot in height.
· The sign shall meet the height standards of TMC 19.32.140 (D) (3). This would
permit the height of the sign to be no greater than 35 feet, but in no case shall the
animated sign be taller than the stadium where it is being used.
Issue 4, Signs located at Public Facilities in Public Recreation Overlay Districts
Foster Golf Course is currently zoned LDR with a Public Recreation Overlay. Under TMC
19.32, the total number of signs for a public facility within a residential district is based
upon the number of street frontages that border the facility. Foster Golf Course is only
bordered by Interurban Avenue and is permitted to have only one sign. However,
surrounding commercial business on Interurban Avenue are permitted to have a total of two
signs.
Staff's Recommendation
Permit public facilities within Public Recreation zones to have two signs. The size of wall
signs shall be limited to the area restrictions in Table 1 in TMC 19.32.140 and the size of the
freestanding size shall be limited to the table in TMC 19.32.140 (D) (c).
Issue 5, Museums
It can prove very difficult for a City to incorporate all sign needs under one set of standards.
The City has distinguished that Planned Shopping Centers and Service Stations have sign
needs that differ from that of other commercial businesses. The Department of Community
Development has been approached by the Museum of Flight regarding installation of
signage that would not be permitted under the City's sign regulations. The proposed signs
would be typical of what would be found at other large museums such as the Seattle Art
Museum and the Tacoma Glass Museum.
The need for identification at the Museum of Flight is important as nearly 70 percent of
patrons of the site are first time users.
Staff's Recommendation
Provide a definition of museum under TMC 19.08. Amend TMC 19.24 to allow museums
to have two temporary event banners that do not exceed six percent of the wall area where
the sign will be placed or 500 square feet which ever is less. The event banners would not
have to meet the time limitations set forth in TMC 19.24.010,
Conclusion
The next step would be to direct staff to take the proposed sign code changes to the Planning
Commission for their review and recommendation. The Planning Commission would also
need to hold a Public Hearing in regards to the proposed changes.
A[N ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TUKWlLA,
WASHINGTON, RELATIaNG TO LA[ND USE AND THE
CITY SIGN CODE; AMENDING TI-W. TUKWlLA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO SIGNS FOR PUBLIC
FACILITIES, INCLUDING PUBLIC SPORTS FIELDS AND
ATHLETIC FACILITIES; AIVIENDING ORDIuNANCE
NOS. 1770, A[ND 2019, AND TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTIONS 19.08.030, 19.28.010, A[ND 19.32.080; ADDING A
NEW SECTION 19.24.070 TMC; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND, ESTABLISHING'A[N EFFECTIVE
DATE. .,
WltEREAS, The City of Tukwila has adopted the Tukwila Sign Code as Title 19
Tukwila Municipal Code ("TMC"); AND
WHEREAS, The Sign Code establishes standards and guidelines to provide for orderly
and safe visual cbmmunications; )aND
WHEREAS, Public facilities are typically sited on large parcels, providing opportunities
to install signs that are directed toward the users of the facility with minimum visibility fi.om
public streets and residential areas; AND
WI-IEREAS, Public facilities such as Tukwila Community Center, Foster High School,
and sports and athletic facilities, may be unreasonably constrained if sign regulations that allow
one sign per street frontage are applied since such public facilities need more signs for the
orderly function of the site; A[ND
WHEREAS, Existing public facilities such as Foster High School, the Tukwila
Community Center, Foster Golf Links. Fort Dent Park (Starfire Sports), and other public
facilities as described in TMC 19.08.175, should be provided further opportunities for
informational and community-oriented signage, sponsorships to offset the costs of such facilities
and banners for celebrations and other events; AND
WHEREAS, On ,2004 the Tukwila Planning Commission, following public
notice, held a public hearing to receive ~estnnony concerning a proposal to modify the Tukwila
Sign Code relating to public facilities; AND
WlZlEREA,,S, Following the hearing the Planning Commission recommended Sign Code
amendments to prtvide for additional signs for sports fields and athletic facilities; AND
WHEREAS, On ,2004 the Tukwila City Council, following public notice, held a
public hearing to receive testimony concermng the recommlndation of the Planning
Commission; AND
-1-
WHEREAS, The City determines that amendments to the Sign Code are in the best
interest of the community, NOW, TIt~EREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TLrKWlLA, WASHINGTON, DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. TMC 19.32.080, as most recently amended by Ordinance 1770 § 74, is
amended to read as follows:
19.32.080 Home Occupation--Church, Approved Conditional Use and Public Facility
Signs
A. Home occupations may be identified by a single, non-illuminated wall plaque of
not more than 1-1/2 square feet.
B. Churche~ and approved conditional uses may have one sign for each street upon
which the property fronts; signs shall be located in the setback area or upon the face of the
building. Total area of sign or signs shall not exceed 32 square 'feet; maximum height above
ground, when in setback area, shall not exceed five feet, and base of sign shall be located in a
landscaped areal Bulletin boards and readerboards are considered signs. Illuminated signs shall
use indirect, concealed sources, or backlighted letters on an opaque background. All signs in this
subsection must be approved as a Type 2 decision.
C. Public facility signs are nennitted under this subsection as a Tyne 2 decision.
1, Temnorarv si~'ns at oublic facilities to include, but not be limited to. flar, s.
banners, oole han~ers and similar decorations may be oermitted at nublic facilities. Temnorarv
simms do not reauire a Tyne 2 decision, but must be ore-anoroved by the Director of the Tukwila
Parks Denartrnent or the Director of the Tukwila Planning Deoartment. .
2. Off-oremises advertising, including but not limited to soonsorshiv and
commercial advertising, is vermitted at.vubtic facilities as Tyne 2 oermits. Such examnles of
snonsorshins and advertisin~ include: (a)Golf course hole svonsorshiv on benches and
directional simas: (b'~ Signs on high school stadiums, ball fields and similar scoreboards: and.
(c) Sic-ns on baseball diamond outfield walls and similar field-bordering fencing.
3. Public facilities may include information kiosks or booths, and such
kiosks or booths may include off-oremises advertising.
-2-
4,' Animated signs, where comntiance with the followine nrovisions is
shown. The below criteria constitute the decision makine criteria for this tyne of sign
notwithstandine other nrovisions in the code which may ~mnose different _standards:
a. The siena must be for a oublic facility where patrons attend to
watch and/or Darticioate in a soortine or other similar event.
b. Only one such sign is vermitted oer sports field.
¢. Movin~ imaees may only be shown durin~ the svortine, or other
similar event and one hour before and after the event.
d. The sign must have minimum visibility from nublic streets and
'dential ea
e. The sign is limited to 40 feet in hei_oht.
f. The face of the sign may be no more than 400 souare feet.
Section 2. TMC 19.08.030, as most recently amended by Ordinance 2019 § l, is
amended, as follows:
19.08.030 Animated Sign
"Anirnatedsign" means any sign or portion of which physically moves, appears to flash,
undulate, pulse, or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light, or blinking or chasing lights, or
which appears to move toward or away from the viewer, to expand or contract, bounce, rotate,
spin, twist, scroll, travel or otherwise portrays movement or animation at a frequency more rapid
than once ever 24 hours. Signs or portions of signs displaying a changing message content that
is strictly limited to time, date or temperature shall not be construed to be animated. ~
for ~ublic snorts and athletic facilities shall not be considered animated signs..However.
televised or recorded imaees on a sign or scoreboard at snorts fields and athletic facilities are
considered animated signs, which must meet the reauirements of 19.32.080(C'} to be r~ermitted:
Section 3. TMC 19.28.010, as most recently amended by Ordinance 2019 § 6, is
amended as follows:
The following signs or devices are specifically prohibited:
(3) Animated signs as defined in TMC 19.08.03~ unless anvroved for a public facilit,t
aqcordine to the reauirements in 19.32.080(C]
(6) Permanent off-premises signs, except shared directional signs as provided in
TMC 19.32.020, 'l~illboards as provided in TMC 19.32.040, freestanding signs for City of
Tukwila or Tukwila School District buildings, facilities, parks or properties, public libraries,
freestanding signs for cemeteries, public parks, historic sites, and planned shopping centers
(mall) signs as provided in TMC 19.32.150h and exceot as permitted in TMC 19.32.080(C).
Any signs permitted under this section must meet all underlying height, setback or- area
-3-
requirements, except for those signs specifically provided for in other sections of this code, and
must obtain a permit ftom the Department of Community Development.
(7) Strings of pennants, banners or streamers, festoons of lights, clusters of flags,
wind-animated objects, balloons, and similar devices of a carnival nature except as specifically
provided in TMC chapters 19.12, and 19.24~ ~. Not prohibited are national,
State, and institutional flags properly displayed or temporary signs and decorations customary
for'special holidays, such as Independence Day, Christmas, Takwila Days, and similar events of
a public nature.
Section 4. A new section is added to Chapter 19.24 TMC, as follows:
19.24.070 This chanter does not anvlv to temvorarv siens authorized under TMC
19.32.080(C].
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to be invalid
or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of
this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force and effect five (5)
days after passage and publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of ,2004.
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Jane E. Cantu, CH,C, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By
Office of the City Attorney
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
ORDINANCE NO.:
-5-
Community and Parks Committee
September 14, 2004
Present: Pam Linder, Chair; 3oe Duffie~ Dave Fenton
Steve Lancaster, Lucy Lauterbach
Siqn Code Amendments Starfire has asked the City for changes to the
sign code affecting athletic facilities in Iow-density residential
neighborhoods. Steve indicated he had briefed the Committee about a year
ago on a "master sign plan" program for addressing Starfire's issues, but
Starfire asked that we hold off on that approach. They have recently
proposed a new approach to signage, as described in the agenda packet.
Pam L said she was concerne~ about some ongoing issues relating to the
Starfire facility, and would like to see those resolved before considering any
code changes. Joe and Dave agreed with her, Steve will work with the City
Attorney and Mayor's office to determine how to proceed. No
recommendations on Siqn Code Chanqe; reschedule in the future.
J~C'h~--Committee chair approval
Community and Parks Committee
September 28, 2004
Present: Para Linder, Chair; Joe Duffle, Dave Fenton
Steve Lancaster, Bruce Fletcher, Rhonda Berry, Cyndy Knighton, Lucy
Lauterbach; Stacy Tressler, Ross Fenton, Chris Slatt, Steve Beck
1. Starfire Sports Complex Update The Committee toured the Starfire site, taking in the
nearly-completed sports complex and center building of the sports venture. They were able to see
the fields and where the scoreboard signs are. Chris also showed the walls surrounding the
stadium he would like to put advertising on. The Committee members appreciated the tour, and
expressed their admiration for the fields, the work being done ..by Starfire, and the building.
Back at City Hall, the Committee members and Chris had a free-ranging discussion ranging from
the master sign process, to sewers and hotel rooms. Steve L noted the staff's recommended
master sign plan that was presented a year ago has now devolved to possibly needing fewer
changes to the sign code and not a special sign code for the park. There are several places inside
the Starfire park where signs would only be seen by those in the park. However, some of the
changes that would allow those signs could have negative results if used on school sports fields
in residential areas. Making signs a Type 2 level decision could leave the final decision up to the
Planning Director. Both sides were glad to have talked face to face, and agreed they understood
each other's positions much better as aresult. Information.
2. Ikawa Park Impacts Ross and Stacy presented the current proposals for improving [-405.
The original proposal was to put two new lanes in each direction, and extend Tukwila Parkway
to Interurban where it would have an entry to 1-405. The State passed a 5 cent (nickel) package
for transportation, including studying 1-405. Planners then scaled back their plans to adding one
lane in each direction. Beyond that there is no construction money. Another project being
considered for funding include SR 167, which is also considered in 1-405 plans. Any
construction is likely to be years away. The Committee agreed with the recommendation to move
the additions to the north rather than south side ofi-405. Mitigation for impacting Ikawa Park
could involve widening the park, or using the whole south lawn for the park. Construction will
be years away, but two members preferred the third option of using the whole lawn for the
project. That will be decided when the plans become more realistic. Approval to move 1-405
north~ information.
3. Sound Transit Lease Offer Sound Transit's offer to lease the flat land of Riverbend Hill
Park has been approved by all the groups who helped fund and plan the park. Bruce had some
considerations he wanted to propose based on all those comments. Pam L added a consideration
of the possible third year lease needed if the project takes longer than expected. The monthly fee
for the third year is $9,742/month when it is at $11,000/month during the term of the two years.