HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2009-07-13 COMPLETE AGENDA PACKET Distribution: M. Hart J. Pace
City of Tukwila V. Griffin S. Hunstock D. Speck
J. Duffie V. Jessop R. Still
w. C ommunity Affairs K. Hougardy S. Kerslake B. Arthur
J. Hernandez K. Kertzman C. Parrish
t Parks Committee D. Robertson G. Labanara J. Eide
F Mayor Haggerton K. Matej K. Narog(cover)
O Verna Griffin Chair
�w.'� i R. Berry M. Miotke S. Kirby(email)
O Joe Duffie E. Boykan C. O'Flaherty S. Norris(emai)
O Kathy Hougardy B. Fletcher N. Olivas
AGENDA
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2009, 5:00 PM
Conference Room #3
ITEM I RECOMMENDED ACTION Page
1. PRESENTATION(S)
2. BUSINESS AGENDA
An ordinance renewing the Sign Code Forward to 7/27 C.O.W. and Pg.1
Moratorium; Brandon Miles, Senior Planner. 8/4 Regular.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS
4. MISCELLANEOUS
Next Scheduled Meeting: Monday, July 27 2009
Committee Goals:
Seek out opportunities for Councilmembers to further their knowledge, experience and awareness of the different
cultures represented within the Tukwila community.
Support programs and services that provide a sense of stability, community and unity throughout Tukwila's residential
neighborhoods.
Provide legislative support and encouragement to Tukwila residents living in rental communities through programs
that hold owners and /or property managers accountable for providing safe places to live through the implementation
of a rental licensing program.
Formulate an Adopt -a- Neighborhood program that will provide Councilmembers the opportunity to become more
familiar with the changing faces of communities and neighborhoods throughout the City.
Ensure a commitment to continued human services funding in relation to the cost of living through consistent review
of regional, state and federal budgets affecting human services progams and services (also assigned to F &S).
Research the viability of sponsoring a City-wide Citizens' Academy (a /so assigned to F &S).
The City of Tukwila strives to accommodate those with disabilities.
Please contact the City Clerk's Office at 206 433 -1800 for assistance.
TO:
Mayor Haggerton
Community Affairs and
FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Directo
ISSUE
BACKGROUND
City of Tukwila
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 6, 2009 )j�
SUBJECT: Renewal of Sign Code Mbratorium
The moratorium that the City has in place regarding the placement of certain
signage types will expire in early September. DCD staff is requesting that the
moratorium be renewed and extended an additional six months to allow additional
time to complete the sign code update.
In the fall of 2008, DCD staff realized that the Sign Committee recommendations
may conflict with the existing sign code. In October of 2008, the City Council
adopted a moratorium on the installation of certain sign types within the City.
The following sign types were covered under the moratorium:
1. Animated and electronic signs
2. Freestanding signs taller than six feet.
3. Freeway Interchange Signs.
4. Billboards
Throughout the past year, the City has been working extensively to write a new
sign code. During the summer of 2008, the Sign Code Advisory Committee met a
total of six times to review the various issues associated with sign regulations. On
January 29, 2009, the City Council and Planning Commission were briefed on the
recommendations of the Sign Code Advisory Committee. These recommendations
included new standards for freestanding signs and prohibition of certain types of
signage currently allowed under the existing sign code.
This spring Planning Staff sent out letters to individuals who were identified during
the Sign Code Update process as interested parties. Planning staff invited these
individuals to provide specific recommendations and policy guidance on the City's
sign regulations.
The current moratorium is set to expire in early September and the new sign code
will likely not come before the City Council until the new Shoreline Master Program
and the Tukwila Urban Center Plan work has been completed.
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
ANALYSIS
DCD noted the complexities associated with dealing with non conforming signs at
the joint meeting. The new sign code will render dozens of existing signs non-
conforming and DCD staff is hoping to work with these property and business
owners to reduce the impacts of the new code. The moratorium has prevented the
installation of new signs that may be rendered non conforming when the new sign
code is adopted and for this reason should be renewed.
RECOMMENDATION
The Council is being asked to approve the ordinance renewing the moratorium an
additional six months. The Ordinance has tentatively been scheduled for the July
27, 2009, Committee of the Whole meeting and August 3, 2009 Regular Meeting. A
public hearing will be conducted at the July 27, 2009 meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Ordinance in Draft Form
W: \Long Range Projects \Sign Code Update \CAP Memo, 2009.07.06.doc
CT
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, RENEWING A SIX -MONTH MORATORIUM ON THE
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR SIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND
ELECTRICAL PERMITS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF SIGNAGE WITHIN THE
CITY OF TUKWILA; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Title 19 of the Tukwila Municipal Code the Sign Code regulates
signage within the City of Tukwila; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has identified that the City's current Sign Code is out-
dated and needs to be updated, in order to address the complexity of development issues
within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to limit the number of signs that might be rendered
nonconforming by the Sign Code update, thereby limiting the financial burden to business
owners, property owners and the City imposed by a staged amortization program; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2007, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 2165, establishing
a six -month moratorium on the filing of sign, development, and electrical permits for
certain types of electronic signage within the City; Ordinance No. 2170 adopted the
Findings of Fact; the moratorium was renewed by Ordinance Nos. 2180, 2202, expanded by
Ordinance No. 2208, and renewed again by Ordinance No. 2225; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and Planning Commission were briefed on various sign
code issues at a joint meeting on October 25, 2007; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2008, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 1656, which
called for the creation of a Sign Code Advisory Committee to assist City staff in the creation
of a new Sign Code; and
WHEREAS, since July of 2008 the Committee has met five times to discuss the various
issues associated with the creation of a new Sign Code, and has developed
recommendations to limit certain types of signage, in order to improve the visual
appearance of the City; and
WHEREAS, on January 29, 2009, the Planning Commission and the City Council were
briefed on the recommendations of the Sign Code Advisory Committee. The
recommendations, if included in the new Sign Code, will prohibit the installation of some
sign types that are currently permitted within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City has received and will continue to receive applications for a variety
of signs that may conflict with the City's update to Title 19 and could potentially pose a
threat to public safety and add visual clutter to the City streets; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2009, the City Council conducted a public hearing on the
renewal of the moratorium;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings of Fact. The "Whereas" clauses above are hereby adopted by
reference as the City Council's Findings of Fact, as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this moratorium is to allow the City adequate time
to study and adopt regulations to update Title 19 of the Tukwila Municipal Code.
W: \Word Processing \Ordinances\Sign Code Moratorium.doc
BM:ksn 07/10/2009
Page 1 of 2
Section 3. Moratorium Renewed. As expanded by Ordinance No. 2208, and renewed
by Ordinance No. 2225, the moratorium is hereby renewed on the filing of sign,
development and electrical permits for the erection, re- erection, construction, or alteration
of:
1. Any sign that would be classified as an "Electronic Sign" as defined under TMC
19.08.055, any sign that would be classified as an "Animated Sign" as defined under TMC
19.08.030, any sign that displays a "Holographic Display" as defined under TMC 19.08.105,
and any sign considered a "Scoreboard" under TMC 19.08.195. Nothing in this moratorium
shall be construed to prevent the maintenance of an existing sign, provided the
maintenance is consistent with the limitations specified in TMC 19.12.050, "Exceptions
Permits Not Required," and Chapter 19.30, "Staged Compliance Sign Amortization
Program." This moratorium shall not apply to any sign permit that was vested prior to the
moratorium's enactment.
2. Any sign that would be classified as a billboard under TMC 18.08.050. Existing
billboards may continue to replace their existing copy pursuant to the limitations
established under Title 19.
3. Any sign, taller than six feet in height, that would be classified as a "freestanding
sign" as defined under TMC 19.08.070. Height shall be determined pursuant to TMC
19.08.100. Nothing in this moratorium shall be construed to prevent the maintenance of an
existing freestanding sign, provided the maintenance is consistent with the limitations
specified in TMC 19.12.050, "Exceptions- Permits Not Required," and Chapter 19.30,
"Staged Compliance Sign Amortization Program." Existing freestanding signs that comply
with Title 19 of the Tukwila Municipal Code may have face changes and install panels
subject to the permit requirements of TMC 19.12.010 and other applicable sign development
standards found in Title 19.
4. Any "freeway interchange sign" as permitted under TMC 19.32.140 (E)(2).
Nothing in this moratorium shall be construed to prevent the maintenance of an existing
freeway interchange sign, provided the maintenance is consistent with the limitations
specified in TMC 19.12.050, "Exceptions- Permits Not Required." Installation of new sign
panels on existing freeway interchange signs or change of copy of the freeway interchange
sign shall not be permitted until the moratorium is no longer in effect.
Section 4. Effective Period of Moratorium. The moratorium renewed by this
ordinance shall be effective as set forth in "Effective Date" below, and shall continue in
effect for six months thereafter unless repealed, renewed or modified by the City Council
after subsequent public hearing and entry of Findings of Fact.
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 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 2009.
ATTEST/ AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
W: \Word Processing \Ordinances \Sign Code Moratorium.doc
BMksn 07/10/2009
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
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