HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2015-02-09 Item 2B - Ordinance - TMC Title 19 "Sign Code" AmendmentTO:
City of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Mayor Haggerton
Community Affairs and Parks
FROM: Brandon Miles, Economic Development Liaison
DATE: February 2, 2015
SUBJECT: Display of Street Banners
ISSUE
Amending Title 19 "Sign Code" of the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) to permit the display of
street banners to promote events and festivals within the City.
BACKGROUND
Many cities use street banners to advertise and promote city events. The banners can be
divided into two categories.
The first are light pole and utility pole banners, the type that the City used as part of its
centennial. Figure 1 below is a representation of a typical light pole street banners.
Figure 1: Light Pole Banners.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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A second type of banner are street width banners that extend above and across a roadway and
advertise specific events. Figure 2 shows a typical street width banner.
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Figure 2: Street Width Banner.
As part of the City's centennial the City installed light pole banners throughout the Southcenter
area, West Valley Highway and Tukwila International Blvd. The City's sign code at the time had
a very broad exemption that permitted the Public Works Director to approve such signs. In 2010
the City adopted a new sign code and the exemptions for signs permitted in the right of way is
narrow. In order to accommodate these banners the City needs to make a minor amendment to
the Sign Code, Title 19.
Many cities use banners in their downtown areas to promote events and activities, both private
and public events. These events are either tied to community building or promoting tourism
within the City.
Last year the Sounders announced that its 2nd team will begin playing its inaugural season this
spring, with all of the home games being played at Starfire. The Sounders have already sold
1,500 season tickets it's likely that the games at Starfire will be sold out. Economic
Development has been working with the Sounders to create "fan hotspots" at restaurants and
hotels where fans can hang out before and after the games. The City's retail sales tax and
lodging tax will likely see a positive impact from the Sounder's games.
Economic Development would like to install the first round of light pole banners to promote the
Sounders games at Starfire. These Tight pole banners would be similar to the light pole banners
installed by the City of Renton to promote the Seahawks. Cost of the banners, which is about
$100 each, including installation, would be paid by the City's Lodging Tax funds and the City
would also look for private contributions to install the banners. The first round of banners will be
installed in key access routes to and from Starfire.
In the future, banners, both the light pole banners and the street width banners could be used to
promote a wide variety of events and activities. These could include Parks and Recreation
events (Touch a Truck, Family Fourth at the Fort, etc), holiday shopping activities, and other
events that draw tourist from outside the City.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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DISCUSSION
In order to permit street banners to be installed an exception to TMC 19.12.030 needs to be
added. Staff proposes that the following language be added:
"Banners within the City's right of way, located on light poles, street light signal poles,
and hanging above the right of way when approved by the Director of Public Works or
designee".
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None. Adopting the language that creates an exception in the TMC does not create a financial
impact nor does it create an obligation for the City to install the banners. In the future, staff
intends to request that the City Council authorize the use of lodging tax funds to allow the
installation of street pole banners.
RECOMMENDATION
Forward to the February 23, 2015 Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion. Adoption of
the Ordinance could occur at the March 2, 2015 regular council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Ordinance.
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RAFT
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS.
2375 §5 AND 2303 §3 (PART), AS CODIFIED AT TUKWILA
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 19.12.030, TO UPDATE THE SIGN
CODE TO EXPAND EXCEPTIONS TO PERMIT THE DISPLAY
OF STREET BANNERS IN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Tukwila recognizes that signs are an
important component of the built environment and assist in way- finding, advertising and
personal expression for Tukwila businesses, property owners and residents; and
WHEREAS, regulation of signage is needed in order to preserve and protect the
public welfare, preserve and enhance the appearance of the built environment, control
visual clutter, protect private and public property, and ensure the orderly movement of
motorized and non - motorized forms of transportation; and
WHEREAS, on August 16, 2010, the Tukwila City Council adopted a new,
comprehensive Sign Code for the City of Tukwila, which is codified in Title 19 of the
Tukwila Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to use street banners to promote events and
activities in the City that will draw tourists from outside of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. TMC Section 19.12.030 Amended. Ordinance Nos. 2375 §5 and 2303
§3 (part), as codified at Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 19.12.030, "Exceptions
— Sign Permits Not Required," are hereby amended to read as follows:
19.12.030 Exceptions — Sign Permits Not Required
The following shall not require issuance of permits by the City. The exception is only
from the need to obtain a permit and shall not be construed as relief from compliance
with other requirements of this title. The provisions of this section shall be narrowly
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construed so as to effectuate the purposes of this title, as enumerated in TMC Section
19.04.020.
1. Repainting of an existing sign when there is no other alteration. This
exception shall not be interpreted to allow the changing of copy or face changes on an
existing sign.
2. Refacing, panel change or copy change on existing conforming, monument
signs that have valid Tukwila sign permits as permitted by TMC Sections 19.20.030
(B)(7), 19.20.040 (6), or 19.32.075.
3. Temporary signs and decorations customary for holidays, such as
Independence Day and Thanksgiving, erected on private property. Signs may only
contain non - commercial speech.
4. Temporary window signs, subject to the limitations of TMC Section
19.24.080.
5. Traffic signs and /or markings installed by the City of Tukwila, King County
or Washington State Department of Transportation for the purpose of regulating,
warning or directing traffic. Signs may be installed within the right -of -way or on private
property, with the permission of the property owner. All signs installed under this
exception shall meet the requirements of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
for Streets and Highways, current edition, published by the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
6. Signs typically installed on utilities and wireless communication facilities
denoting danger or other safety information, including emergency contact information.
7. Political campaign signs, subject to the limitations of TMC Section
19.24.090.
8. Temporary signs installed at City parks. All signs shall be approved by the
Tukwila Director of Parks and Recreation and shall meet the requirements of this code.
9. Land use notice boards per TMC Section 18.104.110.
10. Text or graphics on umbrellas located in outdoor seating or plaza areas.
11. Up to four directional signs per premises where there is a need to direct
vehicular traffic. Freestanding signs may be up to three feet in height and two square
feet per face or a total of four square feet for all faces. Flush- mounted building signs
may be up to three square feet in size.
12. The following exceptions are specific to properties developed with
residential uses in residential zones:
a. Each residential property shall be permitted one 1.5- square -foot,
building- mounted plaque; and
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b. Each residential property shall be permitted one 6- square -foot banner
or rigid sign that is temporary in nature; and
c. Temporary incidental signs may be displayed with no restrictions from
sunset on a Friday (or the day preceding a designated holiday) until sunset on the
following Sunday (or the Monday following a Sunday if the Monday is a designated
holiday). No individual sign may exceed six square feet in size. It is intended that this
subsection shall apply to garage sale and real estate "open house" signs, however
content of the sign is not restricted.
13. Display of up to three flags, each on individual flag poles, per premise.
Content of the flags is not regulated.
14. Banners within the City's right -of -way, located on City -owned light poles,
City -owned street light signal poles, or hanging above the right -of -way when approved
by the Director of Public Works or designee.
Section 2. Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser. Upon approval of the
City Attorney, the City Clerk and the code reviser are authorized to make necessary
corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of clerical errors; references to
other local, state or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations; or ordinance numbering
and section /subsection numbering.
Section 3. 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 4. 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
five 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 , 2015.
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
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