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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPermit L93-0070 - RUST GREG - SPECIAL PERMISSIONl93-0070 351 strander boulevard golden west games City of Tukwila John W. Rants, Mayor Department of Community Development Rick Beeler, Director PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 27, 1994 Chairman Haggerton called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present were Messrs. Haggerton, Malina, Flesher, Knudson, Clark, and Neiss. Mr. Meryhew was excused. Representing the staff were Vernon Umetsu, Jack Pace and Sylvia Schnug. Mr. Haggerton introduced new Commission member, Grant Neiss. Mr. Haggerton expressed the Commission's sympathy to Vern Meryhew's family regarding their recent loss. MR. FLESHER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18, DECEMBER 8 AND DECEMBER 16, 1993. MR. HAGGERTON SECONDED THE MOTION AND THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. Mr. Haggerton read into the record a memorandum from Jack Pace, dated January 20, 1994 which clarified the conditions of approval for Becker Trucking, L93 -0058. On item number 1, Grant Neiss suggested that the wording read, "the lighting shall not illuminate..." MR. MALINA MOVED TO APPROVE STAFF'S MEMORANDUM REGARDING L93 -0058 ON THE CLARIFICATION OF THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL WITH THE CHANGE IN THE WORDING IN ITEM NUMBER 1, "ILLUMINATION SHALL NOT EXTEND BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE PROPERTY'. MR. GRANT SECONDED THE MOTION AND THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. L093 -0070: Golden West Games: Vernon Umetsu presented the staff report. This is a request by New Image Neon Signs to increase the sign area from 94.5 sq. ft. to 104.3 sq. ft., which is a 10.5% increase. Such an increase is allowed with the doubling of a setback, and the sign face is setback approximately 160 feet from Strander, which is well over double the 40 foot setback required for a 50% increase. Based on the findings and conclusions in the staff report, the Planning Division recommends approval. 6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 • Tukwila, Washington 98188 • (206) 431-3670 • Fax (206) 431-3665 Planning Commission Minutes January 27, 1994 Mr. Malina said that page 2 of the staff report indicates that the building face size is 2484 sq. ft. and the letter from the applicant (Attachment C) indicates that the building face is 2491 sq. ft. He asked which is correct. Page 2 Mr. Umetsu said that the correct number is the product of 108 feet times 23 feet. There were no comments by the applicant. Mr. Malina indicated that he liked the sign. MR. KNUDSON MOVED TO APPROVED THE REQUEST FOR INCREASE OF SIGN SIZE BY 9.8 SQ. F. TO 104.3 SQ. FT. MR. MAUNA SECONDED THE MOTION AND THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. L93 -0086: Miscellaneous Zoning Code Amendments: Vernon Umetsu presented the staff report. He stated that there were three recommended amendments to the Zoning Code. The first is to allow software development and similar uses as principally permitted uses in the P.O. zone. The second is to allow lower minimum parking requirements for places of public assembly. The third is to allow the grouping of the five -foot sideyard landscaping and building setback areas from both sides, to one side of the property in the CM zone. Software development uses are currently a conditional use in the C2 (Regional Retail) zone and is classed along with other industrial /mechanical types of uses. Staff feels that software development activities are more characterized as having a more professional office environment and should be grouped with principally permitted uses in the Professional Office zone. Mr. Malina asked how many companies of this type Tukwila has. Mr. Umetsu said that we have none. One of the reasons for this amendment is because the City has had inquiries about locating into Tukwila, and they have been told that it would be a conditional use. Mr. Flesher asked why they changed from C2. Why didn't they just go to C2 as a permitted use if there has to be a change. Mr. Umetsu said that if the software type uses are allowed as a principally permitted use in the P.O. zone, the Zoning Code allows uses in lower intensity zones to be allowed in higher intensity districts. Therefore, a Professional Office use would be allowed in a C1 area, a C2 area, on up to heavy industrial zones. City of Tukwila Department of Community Development HEARING DATE: PROJECT/FILE: APPLICANT: PROPOSAL: LOCATION: ZONING DISTRICT: STAFF REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL PERMISSION SIGN Prepared January 18, 1994 John W. Rants, Mayor January 27, 1994 GOLDEN WEST GAMES SIGN #L93 -0070 Rick Beeler, Director New Image Neon/Greg Rust Proposal is to construct a wall sign of approximately 104.3 square feet, which is in excess of the 94.5 square -foot area allowed in the Sign Code (TMC 19.32.140). Under the Special Permission provision in the Sign Code, the Planning Commission may approve a sign area mcrease. 351 Strander Blvd. C -P (Planned Business Center) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF:. ATTACHMENTS: Approve increase in wall sign size beyond the basic code maximum Jack Pace, 431 -3686 Kim Moloney, 431 -3674 A. Site Plan B. Color Building/Sign Elevation C. Applicant's letter 6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 • - Tukwila,- Washington 98188 -• (206) 431-3670 • Fax (206) 431-3665 Staff Report to the L93 -0070: Golden West Games Planning Commission Page 2 FINDINGS OF FACT VICINITY /SITE INFORMATION The building site is located in the Southcenter Plaza retail complex adjacent to Southcenter Mall along Strander Blvd.(see Attachment A). The site is bordered by retail to the north, east, and west, and Tukwila Pond to the south. The proposed wall sign will be located on the north facade, visible to these uses and traffic east and westbound on Strander Blvd.(see Attachment B). PROJECT DESCRIPTION Golden West Games proposes to install a wall sign of 104.3 square feet s.f.), which is in excess of the 94.5 square -foot area allowed in the Sign Code (TMC 19.32.140). Under the Special Permission provision in the Sign Code, the Planning Commission may approve this increase in sign area (TMC 19.32.150). The sign will be located on the north facade of the building, which is of stucco -type construction. Blue - magenta channel letters and copy, 30" high, are proposed along with the Golden West logo in fuchsia- magenta -blue (see Attachment B5. The sign will be internally illuminated. BACKGROUND The Golden West Games store located in Tukwila is part of a chain of video /computer games stores. The final version of the sign has already been mounted on the building facade, and is permitted with a permanent sign permit for the text, and a temporary sign permit for the logo until a Planning Commission decision is made. DECISION CRITERIA Under the _ Sign Code, TMC 19.32.140, 19.32.150, and 19.04.020(A) there are four criteria for determining the maximum size allowable for the proposed sign. They are: 1. The Sign Code establishes a maximum size for commercial signs. 2. With this maximum as a base, the Code provides a Special Permission process in which the Planning Commission may approve a larger size. 3. The Code limits the size which the Planning Commission may approve. 4. The intent of the Sign Code must be considered in evaluating an increase in the base size of a sign. These four approval criteria are noted below, along with a discussion of the relationship of the proposal to the criteria. 1. 'Commercial Zones Where Signs Will Face or Abut other Commercial or Industrial Zones' (TMC 1932.140). As the Golden West Games site faces other commercial /industrial zones, a wall sign would normally be required to meet the maximum size allowed under this section. Using the formula provided in this section, for an "exposed building face" of 2,484 square feet, Golden West Games is allowed a wall sign with a maximum area of 94.5 square feet. Staff Report to the Planning Commission L93 -0070: Golden West Games Page 3 2. 'Upon application to and approval by the Planning Comndc►ion, the permitted sign areas provided in Tabk 1 may be increased no more than fifty percent for each doubling of the required minimum sdback distance for the wall upon which a particular sign is to be placed, but in no case shall sign area exceed that permmitled in Section 1932150' (TMC 1932.140). The applicant's request is based on their conclusion that the setback of the wall sign will be greater than the minimum required (see Attachment B). By doubling the required setback, the Golden West Games sign could be enlarged by 47.4 square feet 50% of 94.5 s.f.) up to 6% of the wall area for a maximum of 149.5 square feet (6% x 2484 s.f.). The proposed sign is 104.3 s.f. The Sign Code refers to the "setback distance for the wall". This setback will be calculated by measuring the distance between. the north facade of the Golden West Games tenant space and the front yard property line along Strander Blvd. In a C -P zone, the required minimum front yard setback is 20 feet, plus one additional foot for each foot of building height over 20 feet. The building height of the Southcenter complex is 23 feet, thus the minimum front year setback is 23 feet. The wall on which the sign will be mounted has a setback from the street of approximately 260 feet, which is greater than the 46 feet required to "double" the setback, and thus qualify to increase the sign area by 50 %. 3. 'Building Identifhaation Si'gr Busiseries in a planned shopping center shall be allowed signing equal to 6% of the a paned building face area on Aids the sign is to be placed up to a maximum of 500 square fee" (TMC 1932150). Under this Section, the maximum sign area allowed for the Golden West Games sign would be 149.5 square feet (six percent of the exposed building face). The proposed sign, at 104.3 s.f., is under this maximum. 4. 'The purposes of this code are to edablish standards and guidelines for the design.-of signs—so that the streets of Tukwila may appear orderly and safely may be inaelsed by minimizing clutter and di ruction' (TMC 19.04.020(A)). The proposed sign is designed to reflect Golden West Games "corporate colors." The use of illuminated fuchsia- magenta -blue channel letters on a white stucco facade makes the sign clear and legible from a distance. CONCLUSIONS Based upon the above discussion, staff concludes the following: 1. The location of the proposed sign falls within the category of "commercial zones" and is therefore subject to sign size limitations under TMC 19.32.140 "Commercial Zones Where Signs Will Face or Abut other Commercial or Industrial Zones ". 2. The proposed sign is eligible for a maximum fifty percent increase in sign area because a doubling of the required minimum setback distance for the wall upon which the proposed sign is to be placed has been reached. The intent of the size exception allowed by Section 19.32.140 is to recognize the possibility of hardship for businesses which are located far from the street. This occurs in many locations in Tukwila where businesses are located some distance from the street, behind large parking lots or in large retail complexes. 3. The roposed sign is under the maximum sign area of 6% of the exposed building face and therefore stays within the parameters of TMC 19.32.150. Staff Report to the L93 -0070: Golden West Games Planning Commission Page 4 4. The proposed sign is consistent with what has been.approved for other, similar commercial signs. The design of the proposed sign is m harmony with the building facade and site, and is legible from a distance. These characteristics make the sign consistent with the intent of the code to "minimize clutter and distraction." RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the request to increase the sign size by approximately 9.8 square feet be approved. OM, IV �(`_At* , Cit o Tukwila Rants, ���� City John W. Rants Mayor Department of Community Development 1908 City of Tukwila PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Rick Beeler, Director Notice is hereby given that the City of Tukwila Planning Commission and Board of Architectural Review will be holding a public hearing on January 27, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. located at 6200 Southcenter Blvd. to discuss the following: CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: REQUEST: LOCATION: CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: REQUEST: LOCATION: CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: REQUEST: LOCATION: PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC BEARING L93 -0070: Golden West Games Greg Rust, New Image Neon Oversized sign based on doubling of the setback. 351 Strander Blvd., Tukwila, WA. L93 - 0086: Miscellaneous Zoning Code Amendments City of Tukwila Department of Community Development Amend the Zoning Code to; 1) allow software development and similar uses as principally permitted in the C2 zone; 2) allow lower minimum parking requirements for "places of public assembly," and 3) allow waiving the 5 foot side yard landscaping and building setback area in the CM zone. City-Wide. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW PUBLIC HEARING L93 -0083: Home Life Howard Turner Design approval to extensively modify an existing 30,816 sq. ft. industrial/office building into a 44,000 sq. ft. retail building with 101 parking stalls. 402 Strander Blvd., Tukwila, WA. Persons wishing to comment on the above cases may do so by written statement or by appearing at the public hearing. Information on the above cases may be obtained at the Tukwila Planning Division. The City encourages you to notify your neighbors and other persons you believe would be affected by the above items. Published: Distribution: Seattle Times January 14 and 21, 1994 • Mayor, City Clerk, Property Owners /Applicants, Adjacent Owners, File. Property 6300 Southcenteulevard, Suite #100 • Tukwila, Washington 98188 • (206) 431-3670 • Fax (206) 431-3665 1_93- Q(_10 September 15, 1993 Ms Kim Moloney City of Tukwila Department of Community Development 6300 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 Re: Golden West Games / Southcenter Plaza Dear Ms Maloney: We are requesting approval of a wall sign exceeding the square footage allowed in the Tukwila Sign Code for On Premise Signage 19.08.140. The proposed signage is to be located on the north elevation with an exposed building face of 2491 sq. feet and a set back of :2 `— (or more depending on from where the visual distance is judged) The proposed sign is 104.3. Our request for the larger sign is based on Tukwila Sign Code Section 19.32.140 (A), which reads as follows: "Upon application to and approval by the planning commission, the permited sign area may increase 50% with each doubling of the required boarding setback distance for the wall which a particular sign is to be placed, Planning Commission approval is required. The proposal meets the requirements for this approval, and the design of the sign remains in keeping with the intent of the code. If you have any questions please call me at (206) 462 -8090. Sincerely, Greg Rust New Image Neon 1414 127th Place NE Suites 101 & 102 Bellevue, WA 98005 (206) 462 -8090 FAX (206) 462 -9662 11305 East Sprague Spokane, WA 99206 (509) 927 -4008 FAX (509) 927 -4212 2040 West 12th Avenue Suite 34, V6J2G2 Vancouver, B.C. (604) 739-4317 FAX (604) 732 -4716 • • t Ar r.e ;Ts, ; :7.4• TT, / S... • I • : I • I It BUILDING • SOUTHCENTER PLAZA LEASING PLAN • r. •er r ; •ff.. • er•-•..C•11 11•1!..,„ BUILDIUG C IUTERUATIOLIAL JEkELERS 4,500 SP STA88803 COPFEE 1.220 Sr BUILOIUQ D BORGER XING' 2,980 SF M.•C.c.t •ta..CCA t.C. 0 • 1007..CtrIT C4 ,G,G.L [OM. PAACJNO wr _.�. �►i%EWAI.rk SITI= •Ft 114,011= I►_oll .. ATTACHMENT A 44t1St' 1 ATTACHMENT B t r F • • .c; ,, �r _