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Home My WebLink AboutCOW 2020-07-13 Item 3C - Policy - Interim Policy for Outdoor Seatting and Signage Allowances for BusinessesCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS ---------------------------------- Initials Meetinga Date Prepared by Mayor's review Council review 07/13/20 MD 07/20/20 MD ITEM INFORMATION ITEMNO. 3.C. STAFF SPONSOR: MINNIE DHALIWAL ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 07/13/20 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Temporary policy regarding outdoor seating and temporary signage during the COVID-19 Pandemic. CATEGORY ® Discussion ,Utg Date 07113120 ® Motion Utg Date 071.20120 ❑ Resolution Utg Date ❑ Ordinance Utg Date ❑ BidAward Utg Date ❑ Public Hearing Utg Date ❑Other Utg Date SPONSOR ❑ Council ❑ Mayor ❑ HR ® DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ TS ❑ Pcj�°R ❑ Police ❑ Pik SPONSOR'S Affirm the interim policy regarding outdoor seating and temporary signage for businesses SLTM IARY in response to COVID-19. REVIE','ED BY ❑ Trans&Infrastructure ❑ CommunitySvs/Safety- ❑ Finance Com ® Planning/Economic Dev. ❑ LTAC ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm. DATE: 07/06/20 COMMITTEE CHAIR: COUNCILMEMBER MCCLEOD RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Department of Community Development COMN ITTEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 07/13/20 07/20/20 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 07/13/20 Informational Memorandum dated 6/30/20 Interim policy on outdoor seating and temporary signage Minutes from the 7/6 PED Committee meeting 07/20/20 21 22 City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Planning and Economic Development Committee FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Director BY: Minnie Dhaliwal, Deputy DCD Director CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: June 30, 2020 SUBJECT: Temporary policy regarding outdoor seating and temporary signage during the COVID-19 Pandemic. ISSUE Affirm the interim policy regarding outdoor seating and temporary signage for businesses in response to COVID-19. BACKGROUND On February 29, 2020 Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic, directing state agencies to use resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the outbreak. The Mayor issued a Proclamation declaring an emergency on March 9, 2020. The City Council affirmed the emergency declaration at its March 16th meeting. Since then the Governor has announced "Safe Start - Washington's Phased Reopening plan" that went into effect on June 1, 2020. Due to the economic disruptions in the community, and in compliance with the Washington State Governor's "Safe Start" phased approach to business reopening, the City Administration has established the interim policy (see attached) to expedite approval of any outdoor seating areas and to relax temporary signage requirements. DISCUSSION TMC 2.57.040 (3) requires the City Council to affirm any rules or regulations related to the protection of life, environment, and property that are affected by the emergency. See attached interim policy that allows businesses to: 1)Allow outdoor seating areas in the required parking spaces provided safety protocols are met; 2)Waives the requirement for temporary sign permits; and 3)Temporarily suspends enforcement of portable signs placed on private property provided they do not block sight distance. This interim policy is one avenue that the City can take to help Tukwila businesses as they reopen during these challenging times. 23 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT The City typically collects $47 per temporary sign permit. In 2019 the city issued 30 temporary sign permits and in 2020 the city has issued 4 temporary sign permits. RECOMMENDATION Affirm the emergency policy provided by City Administration. ATTACHMENTS • Interim emergency policy regarding outdoor seating and temporary signage 24 https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/DCD/PED memo 7-6-20.doc City of Tukwila Outdoor Seating and Signage Allowance for Businesses in Response to COVID-19 SUBJECT: Temporary policy to allow outdoor seating and temporary signage during the Public Health Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to temporarily allow outdoor seating and temporary signage and issue any approvals in an expeditious manner while ensuring safety protocols are in place. This policy will be effective on June 15, 2020 and will expire on Jan 10, 2021 unless otherwise terminated or extended. SCOPE: This policy applies to all City of Tukwila businesses. DEFINITIONS: 1. "Public Health Emergency" shall mean any such emergency declared by the Governor of the State of Washington pursuant to his or her powers under chapters 38.08, 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, any such emergency declared by the King County Executive or the Mayor of the City of Tukwila pursuant to chapter 38.52 RCW. POLICY: During the current Public Health Emergency and in compliance with the Washington State Governor's "Safe Start" phased approach to business reopening, the City of Tukwila shall establish the following policy to expedite approval of any outdoor seating areas and to relax temporary signage requirements: 1) Businesses are allowed to set up outdoor seating areas in parking spaces on private property, and no land use approval is required to deviate from the number of parking spaces required by City code, provided the following conditions shall be met: a) No fire lanes are blocked b) No fencing nor other containment feature is to be placed around the outdoor seating area that does not allow openings for safe egress/exiting from the seating area. In case of an emergency, people seated in the outdoor area should be able to exit the premises without passing through the building. c) Outdoor lighting shall be provided to ensure safe exiting from the dining area. Any outdoor lighting fixtures shall be rated for outdoor use. Note: electrical work will still require a permit. d) Tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 400 square feet shall not be erected without first obtaining a permit and approval from the Fire Marshall. Here is the Ilii,g,ll to Fire Tent permit application and requirements. Page 1 of 2 25 2) Temporary signs informing the public that the business is open, or other directional signs, such as designating curb side pickup areas, shall not require a temporary sign permit, provided the following conditions shall be met: a) Up to a maximum of 4 signs per business are allowed, and the maximum size of the signs shall not exceed 64 sq. ft. total for all 4 signs. These signs can only be placed on the premises of the business. Signs are not allowed to be placed off premises or within public right of way or sidewalks. b) Sight distance for cars entering and exiting the driveway shall not be blocked, and signs shall not be placed on sidewalks. c) Enforcement of the following prohibited signs is temporarily suspended: i) Strings of pennants, balloons, and similar devices. ii) The use of portable signs (A -boards, wire frames). All other Tukwila Sign Code regulations remain in effect. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 15, 2020 APPROVAL: Mayor Allan Ekberg De'Sean Quinn, Council President Jack Pace, Director Community Development Kari Sand City Attorney Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief Page 2 of 2 26 City of Tu .: City Council Planning & Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 - 5:30 p.m. - Electronic Meeting due to COVID-19 Emergency Councilmembers Present: Thomas McLeod, Kathy Hougardy, Zak Idan StoffPresent: Rachel Bianchi, Vicky Carlsen, Derek Speck, Laurel Humphrey, Minnie Dhaliwal, Brandon Miles Guests: Andrea Reay, Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce; Katherine Kertzman, Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. I. BUSINESSAGENDA A. Interim Policy: Outdoor Seatingand nd Siege Staff is seeking Council affirmation of an interim policy that allows businesses to offer outdoor seating in parking areas and use temporary signs with greater flexibility in response to COVID- 19. Committee Recommendation Unanimous approval. Forward to July 13, 2020 Committee of the Whole. B. Business Recovery Grants Update Committee members and staff discussed various grant opportunities related to COVID-19 business recovery. Committee Recommendation Discussion only. Return to Committee with report of survey responses and funding proposal. C. Lodging Tax Funding Applications Staff is seeking Council decision on funding requests from the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce ($50,000), Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority ($195,000) and the City of Tukwila ($88,375). The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee approved all three. Staff recommends reducing the amount to the SSRTAto $75,000 due to duplication of services with the existing interlocal agreement. Ms. Kertzman addressed the Committee and stated the funding request is wholly for additional services and that if Tukwila does not approve the full amount the SSRTA will remove Tukwila from the scope of the program. Committee Recommendation Unanimous approval of $50,000 to the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, $75,000 to the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, and $88,375 to the City of Tukwila. Forward to July 13, 2020 Committee of the Whole. 27