The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPC Mtg Minutes 05-07-14 FINALJEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION District 1 Coker Felder p p 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, W A 98368 (360) 3 79-4450 PlanComm~o .jefferson. wa. us www .co. jefferson. wa. us I commdevelopmen t I PlanningCommission REGULAR MEETING Meeting Minutes for May 7, 2014 Call to Order: 6:35pm ROLLCALL District2 Miller Smith Farmer Sircely Brotherton p p p p AU P=Present, X= Vacant, AE=Absent Excused, AU=Absent Unexcused District 3 Giske AU Hull p Jefferson County Staff Present: • Carl Smith, DCD Director • Stacie Hoskins, Planning Manager • Elizabeth Williams, Planning Clerk Public in Attendance: 1 Elizabeth Williams: 6:35pm Stacie Hoskins: 6:37pm Carl Smith: 6:40pm STAFF UPDATES Provided updates on confirmed meeting spaces: 05/21: Bay Club in Port Ludlow 06/04: TBD 06/18: Quilcene School 07/02: TBD 07/16: Brinnon School Updated website to include the Planning Commission Agenda Packets online for the convenience of public viewing and to avoid large e-mail attachments to PC members. Shoreline Master Program (SMP) appeals have been consolidated to go before the Growth Management Hearings Board on 05/14/2014 Lorna Smith asked who represents us as a County. Stacie responded that David Alcarez of the Jefferson County Prosecutor's office. PUBLIC HEARING The Jefferson County DCD offered 21 days allowed for public comment on the revised Sign Code. The 05/07 meeting was duly published in the PT Leader on 04/16 and 04/23 Discussed the facts and findings of other court cases. The proposed sign code revision is in order to maintain appropriate scale and to address signs in residential zones. In 2012, the County Administrator allowed the DCD to hire a consultant for David Johnson (DCD Associate Planner) to work with on the code revision. And in late 1 of 5 I Page Tom Thiersch: 7:15pm JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, W A 98368 (360) 3 79-4450 PlanComm@::o.jefferson. wa. us www .co. jefferson . wa. us I commdevelopmen t I PlanningCommission 2012, Carl Smith took over the revision. In the proposed revision, the sign code: • Prohibits off-site commercial signs • Includes an expanded exemption list, • Restricts height for free-standing signs in order to prevent vehicles from passing underneath, • Requires non-conforming changing message signs to be brought up to code within 5 years of adoption of the sign code, • Prohibits signs from obstructing driver's vision, Requires conforming off-site signs on private property to be 600' from an intersection, • Requires existing off-site commercial signs to be removed within 5 years of the adoption of a "way-finding" sign, • Requires proposed Event signs to be approved for a Special Events Permit, • Does not require a permit for a real estate sign • Allows four sq. ft. signs in the public ROW, whereas previously prohibited. PUBLIC TESTIMONY • Expressed dislike to entire overhaul of the Sign code. • Only received "legible and usable" copy today. The PDF was not a searchable format and that was the reason why he had not submitted written comment. • Disappointed that the comment period closes at the end of tonight's meeting. • Wonders where the enforcement provisions are and if the public would need to file a comp laint before the County takes action? • One of the purposes for this revision to the code are for public safety. The IBC Appendix which relates to signage has not been adopted." .. .I believe it's Appendix K of the IBC that dictates exactly the standards that are to be applied for structures, which are signs and that's the whole point of a building code." • The sign code revision did not address signage on private roads. • In regards to temporary signs: Carl mentioned tonight that the code requires it to contain the date of posting and the name of posting, but the code in fact does not state that the name be included. But Tom agreed it should be on the sign. • In 8-e: "I also have an objection to criteria published by the Jefferson County PW Dept. because that dept is not accountable to any public process. They can make arbitrary rules for what they think should be used for sign placement and procedures but there's no public process to make them change the rules . They can just make the stuff up however they want to and there's no public recourse." • Stated that there was no definition of what "height" is (i.e. bottom of the sign?) Tom stated that this is" ... vague, unclear, and probably unenforceable". • Temporary signs "may not be displayed for more than 45 days". Tom thought that this was oddly placed within the code. • Hand-held signs can be worn by a person. "This is a lot larger than 12 sq. ft." 2 of 5 I P age Kevin Coker: 7:44pm Carl Smith: Lorna Smith: Stacie Hoskins: Kevin Coker: JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 621 Sheridan Street , Port Townsend, WA 98368 (360) 379-4450 PlanComm@::o.jefferson.wa.us www . co. jefferson. wa. us I commdevelopmen t I PlanningCommission Suggested that the County needs separate definitions for hand-held signs and signs that are worn on the body. "According to what engineering standard did you get 12 sq ft.?" • In 5-d: Off-site signs for businesses are prohibited but allowed in another section of code. Tom wondered why else someone would have an off-site sign other than to promote their business. • Tom disliked the "unreasonable restriction" that signs cannot be "seaward facing". • Addressed that in the code, signs are required to be "continuously maintained". He stated that this "doesn't mean anything." • In 6-f: No more than two signs on-site per property is in conflict with the facts and findings under number 18 states: "The proposed sign code for personal signs on private property limits the total sign area on each particular parcel of property but not the total number of signs ... " • Too many decisions left "at the discretion of the administrator". • " ... what rules, standards and procedures and policies are going to be in place 'at the administrator's discretion' that aren't arbitrary and capricious; That aren't going to tempt an administrator to give preferential treatment to one person over another when it comes to exceeding the square footage of a sign". • Any sign projecting beyond six inches from a perpendicular wall, yet another section says 12 inches. Why six inches? Why 12 inches? What's the engineering purpose? What's the safety purpose? • Changing message signs are only allowed in a commercial or industrial zone . What about Christmas changing message signs? • "Off-site signs that advertise a business are prohibited"." ... the definition of an off-site sign means a sign relating through its content to an activity, use, product or service." • Signs affixed to vehicles: Personal vs. commercial vehicles. "I can't have a bumper sticker?" " ... that means that my sign which is affixed to my vehicle which is personal is NOT exempt" • "Not all changing signs are electric. Not all changing signs are illuminating." DISCUSSION Asked about penalties. Penalties are included in under JCC 18.50. Why aren't private roads included? Roads are still "zoned" and as such, are governed under zoning laws. Why doesn't the code include IBC or require building permits? 3 of 5 I Page Carl Smith: Gary Felder: Stacie Hoskins: Kevin Coker: Carl Smith: Lorna Smith: Stacie Hoskins: Kevin Coker: Matt Sircely: Gary Felder: Kevin Coker: Richard Hull: Kevin Coker: Tom Thiersch: Kevin Coker: Matt Sircely: Kevin Coker: JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 62 1 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, W A 98368 (360) 379-4450 PlanComm@:o.jefferson.wa.us www .co. jefferson. wa. us I commdevelopmen t I PlanningCommission It is not designed for determining what to do as far as the structural integrity of signs. Signs could possibly require a building permit depending on the plans. Carl had discussed this with the County engineer and it was decided that cannot be determined whether it needs a building permit without first reviewing the plans and deciding on a case-by-case basis. Discussed height restrictions. 18.30 covers design standards which addresses height limits and shielding lights. Based on average person's height. No engineering process was involved in creating height restrictions. Would the County require an applicant to apply for a variance to increase the height of their sign? No. Variances cover set-backs and height limits for buildings, not signs. Understands Mr. Thiersch's concerns about possible abuse of power in regards to decision-making on a managerial level, but stated that any decision must be made under the circumstance that it could be challenged in an appeals process. Suggested that under temporary signs add a requirement for a name and date be printed on a temporary sign. In favor of off-site commercial signs. Suggested adding an exemption for agricultural off-site commercial signs. The purpose of revisiting the sign code was due to the aesthetics of current off- site signs. In favor of a way-finding sign. The proliferation of signs in certain areas of the County is displeasing. What defines the "maintenance" of a sign? Hosing down the sign once a month or cleaning the sign every week? Suggested creating a maximum radius of a sign location from a business. Agreed with 600' from major /minor arterial due to average vehicle's rate of speed. Matt Sircely suggested lowering the distance requirement from the sign to the intersection. Wants more signage directing public to farms/businesses. Lorna Smith agreed. Kevin suggested the public hearing remain open and continue it to the June 4th outreach meeting and directed Carl Smith to return with a few minor changes to the proposed code. The Commission agreed to the motion by consensus. 4 of 5 I Page JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, W A 98368 (360) 3 79-4450 PlanComm@::o .jefferson. wa. us www. co. jefferson . wa. us I commdevelopmen t I PlanningCommission NOMINATIONS Richard Hull nominated Kevin Coker to continue as Chair. Gary Felder seconded the motion . The Commission unanimously approved the nomination. Bill Miller nominated Richard Hull as Vice Chair. Patricia Farmer seconded the motion. The Commission unanimously app roved the nomination. Adjourned at 8 :35pm Approval of Minutes These meeting minutes were approved this 2/ 'fir day of ~ ~ G{ 12014, 7 Kevin Coker, Chair Carl Smith, DCD Director 5 of 5 I Page