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Planning Comm PKT 04-20-2005 April 20, 2005 7:00 p.m. City of Federal Way PLANNING COMMISSION City Hall Council Chambers AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLLCALL 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. AUDIENCE COMMENT 5. ADMINIS TRA TIVE REPORT 6. COMMISSION BUSINESS . PUBLIC HEARING Freeway Profile Signs Code Amendment 7. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS 8. AUDIENCE COMMENT 9. ADJOURN Commissioners John Caulfield. Chair Dini Duclos William Drake Lawson Bronson Tony Moore (Alternate #2) Hope Elder, Vice-Chair Dave Osaki Merle Pfeifer Christine Nelson (Alternate #/) Pam Duncan-Pierce (Alternate #3) City Staff Kathy McClung, CDS Director Margaret Clark. Senior Planner E. Tina Piety, Administrative Assistant 253-835-260/ J: ~11'J: ~,.ri!y!?jJi; d.ç r IJ IIY (l y,. (II!!.! K:\Planning ComnUssion\2005lAgonda 04.20-05.doc CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PLANNING COMMISSION March 23, 2005 ~.m. City Hall Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Hope Elder, Bill Drake, Dini Duclos, Merle Pfeifer, and Lawson Bronson. Commissioners absent: Dave Osaki (excused). Alternate Commissioners present: Pan Duncan- Pierce. Alternate Commissioners absent: Christine Nelson (excused) and Tony Moore (unexcused). Staff present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall, Consultant Betsy Czark, and Administrative Assistant E. Tina Piety. Chair Caulfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ApPROVAL OF MINUTES It was m/s/c to adopt the March 2, 2005, minutes as presented. AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADMINISTRATIVE REpORT Ms. Piety informed the Commission that the Annual Volunteer Dinner is scheduled for April 22, 2005. This year the City will be hosting a mystery dinner put on by the company that does the Murder Mystery Dinners on the Dinner Train. It should be a lot offun and she hopes all the Commissioners will be able to attend. COMMISSION BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARING - 2004 Comprehensive Plan Amendment The Commission first discussed the Site-Specific Request. Ms. Clark delivered the staff presentation. She stated that the proposed amendment includes the Kitts Comer Site-Specific Request that the Commission has already reviewed and therefore, is not part of this Public Hearing. The Site-Specific Request that is the subject of this Public Hearing is Puget Center Partnership's application to amend the comprehensive plan designation and zoning of 4.03 acres located north of South 31th Street and east of 1 st A venue South from Professional Office (PO) to Neighborhood Business (BN). The Commission had no questions for staff and the Public Testimony was opened. Don Barker - He is with Powell Development and is the developer for this project. He commented that as Ms. Clark explained, any development would require mitigation. He has worked on another project in the City and knows to expect strict requirements. He feels the project will enhance the water quality of the area and will help control flooding. He believes the K:\Planning CoItlmiss¡on12005IMeeting Summary 03-23-05.doc Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 March 23, 2005 City will require them to construct curb, gutter, and sidewalk, which will enhance pedestrian activity in the neighborhood. He envisions this to be a neighborhood shopping center; a place people can go to meet their neighbors for a cup of coffee. He stated they can give it an aesthetic connection to the neighborhood. Paul Benton - He represents the owner ofthe shopping center. He read a letter into the record. In the letter, he states that he believes, "... that water quality and flooding issues will be adequately addressed through current City rules and regulations." In addition, the letter states they are willing to, "... deed restrict the property from being used as a bar, tavern, cocktail lounge, adult bookstore, adult video store, or other adult entertainment business and for the renting, leasing, or selling of any boat, motor vehicle, or trailer." Robert Burton - He is an Associate Broker and has been in the real estate business for 38 years. In addition, he teaches corporate real estate at a local college. He has researched retail uses in Federal Way. He commented that a small shopping center draws from within one mile. He feels this neighborhood would be better served by a small shopping center. He stated that the last three grocery stores in Federal Way have gone into neighborhoods. Bob Roper - He is the President of the Mirror Lake Resident's Association. He commented that BN is more intense than PO. He feels we have enough BN in the City. He doesn't agree with the water quality standards used by the City. He feels the City should be using standards that deal more with phosphates. In a recent Mirror Lake Resident's Association meeting, there was no support for this rezone. Don Barker - In response to a question from a Commissioner, he stated that they are talking to retailers, but no one has signed on as yet. Bob Roper - His comments are in regard to the discussion the Commission had regarding water quality. He stated that the City uses the King County Suiface Water Design Manual, which has two menus for pollution in lakes and streams. One menu deals mostly with zinc and the other mostly with phosphates. While there is not a current problem, Mirror Lake has the potential for a serious problem with phosphates. There was no further public testimony on this issue. Ms. Czark delivered the staff presentation on the update to the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWCP) Housing chapter. There is no major vision change. Staff has rearranged and condensed information. In addition, language was added regarding possible methods to increase capacity, affordable housing, and housing choice. Finally, two new sections were added on household size and housing cost and affordability. Ms. Czark commented that Federal Way has the largest household size in South King County and close to the highest median household income, but still has a large number of low income households. She went over the policy changes and noted that HP22 should be deleted because HP21 says the same thing. In addition, a heading, "Emergency and Transitional Housing," was added to HG6 because there was no heading previously. There was no public testimony on the Housing Chapter. Commissioner Duclos expressed her concern with the transitional housing requirements and how she feels those requirements discriminate against people in need of transitional housing by signaling them out for special requirements. The entire Commission agreed that sometime in the future they would like to review the requirements for transitional housing. K:\Planning Commission\:2005lMeeting Summary 03-B-O5.doc Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 March 23, 2005 It was m/s/c to recommend to the City Council adoption of the proposed comprehensive plan amendments as drafted in the staff report, with the modification that PugetSound Partnership's proposed deed restrictions be put into place. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Ms. Clark informed the Commission that the next meeting will be April 20th, at which time there will be a public hearing on signs along Interstate-5. AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. KIPI"'ning Commi..ionl2005IMeeting Summary 03-23-05.doc ~ CITY OF 'fII' . ~ Federal Way STAFF REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION Amendments to Federal Way City Code (FWCC) Chapter 22, Article XVIII Sign Regulations Planning Commission Meeting of April 20, 2005 I. BACKGROUND The City Council received a written citizen request to consider a different type of regulations for business signs located adjacent to freeways (see letter, Exhibit 1). The City Council placed this item on the 2004 Planning Commission work program on March 2, 2004. A Determination of Nonsignificance was issued for this proposed code amendment on March 26, 2005. This code amendment proposal will provide options to address this issue (see Exhibit 2), FWCC Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs." The Issue The City has a number of businesses and vacant commercial land that abut Interstate 5 (1-5) or Highway 18 (SR18). These provide great locations for businesses with a regional draw. In 1995, when the last significant sign code revisions were made, these types of businesses were given the same commercial signage provisions as businesses citywide. The sign heights and size requirements significantly limit the advantage of advertising to the large, area-wide population using the freeway. For example, most commercial signs in the City cannot exceed 12 feet in height and 40-65 square feet in size, unless they are in a development of over 15 acres where the maximum sign height can be 25 feet and size can be 200 square feet. In most cases, the existing code does not permit the sign size and height required to be effective for the high speeds that cars are traveling on the freeway. II. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS City staffreviewed freeway sign requirements in the cities of: Arlington, Bellingham, Burlington, Seattle, Fife, Olympia, and Renton. The goal was to recommend regulations that would give adequate exposure to businesses next to the freeway but would minimize the aesthetic impact. Sign heights ranged from 20 feet above grade (Bellingham) to a flat 40-45 feet (Fife & Arlington). The smallest freeway signs are permitted in Renton at 150 square feet and also have a requirement that the associated building has to be a minimum of 125,000 square feet and applied to any property within 1000 feet ofthe freeway. The largest signs are allowed in Seattle at 300 square feet per side which is comparable to an average size billboard and also depends on zoning district. Most cities studied have sign size in the 200-250 square foot per side range (Arlington, Burlington, Fife, Olympia). Staff has created a list of criteria for granting additional freeway signage: A. Abuts 1-5. Properties along SR18 were not considered because all commercially zoned properties along SR18 also abut 1-5, except for those along 348th Street which more closely resembles a highway, rather than a freeway. B. Is located in zoning designation of City Center (CC-C) or Community Business (BC). It is generally recognized that commercial properties have more need for signage than residential or office properties. For this reason the freeway signage proposal only benefits the CC-C and BC zones. These properties would include the Gateway Center property, the four parcels south of 32Ûth that include La Quinta Hotel, the vacant property on the north side of 348th (future site of Federal Way Marketplace), Campus Square (Costco), Home Depot, and properties south through the Jet Chevrolet site. The proposal does not include the Corporate Park (CP-I) and Office Park (OP-l) properties on the east side of the freeway (Quadrant), nor the Enchanted Park property, which is also zoned Office Park (OP-4). The Quadrant properties and the Enchanted Park properties are not required to follow the existing sign regulations and both have special sign considerations that are specified in their annexation agreements. C. Pylon or Pole signs are permitted as long as pole signs have a minimum of two poles. Pole signs are not permitted elsewhere in the City. All signs must be compatible with other signs and structures on the property. Staff is also proposing some flexibility in the single pole exclusion if it can be demonstrated that a superior design can be achieved. D. Sign content will not be regulated except that the font size of the letters must be a minimum of two feet and they can be neon or illuminated. Changeable copy signs would not be permitted. This size is most effective for sign speeds of 60 miles per hour and up. E. The sign must be oriented to the freeway. The purpose of this provision is to provide signage towards the freeway. F. The sign height cannot exceed 25 feet above the elevation of the driving lanes of the freeway. If the property is below the grade of the freeway (like Costco), then the sign shall be no taller than 60 feet above the average finished ground elevation measured at the midpoint of the sign base. If the property is above the grade of the freeway (like Jet Chevrolet) then the sign shall be no taller than 20 feet above the ground elevation. G. The sign area cannot exceed 250 square feet per side. This is a little smaller than a typical billboard size of 300 square feet per side. H. Coordination with the state will be required by the applicant. The State of Washington has requirements for locating sign next to freeways. The proposed regulations should not conflict with these requirements, but there may be additional requirements and permits required. III. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the following code amendment be recommended for approval to the City Council: A code amendment be adopted that pennits a new sign category called "freeway profile sign." Proposed code language is in Exhibit 1. New language added is underlined. Freeway Profile Signs Planning Commission Staff Report April 12, 2005 Page 2 IV. REASON FOR PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION FWCC Chapter 22, "Zoning," Article IX, "Process VI Review," establishes a process and criteria for zoning code text amendments. Consistent with Process VI review, the role of the Planning Commission is as follows: 1. To review and evaluate the zoning code text regarding any proposed amendments. 2. To determine whether the proposed zoning code text amendment meets the criteria provided by FWCC Section 22-528. 3. To forward a recommendation to City Council regarding adoption of the proposed zoning code text amendment. v. DECISIONAL CRITERIA FWCC Section 22-528 provides criteria for zoning text amendments. The following section analyzes the compliance of the proposed zoning text amendments with the criteria provided by FWCC Section 22-528. The City may amend the text of the FWCC only if it finds that: 1. The proposed amendment is consistent with the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan. The proposed FWCC text amendmentis consistent with the following Federal Way Comprehensive Plan (FWCP) goals and policies: EDG-6 The City will encourage and support existing businesses to remain and lor expand their facilities within Federal Way. EDJ-2 The City will promote the community by working with the Chamber and the private sector to develop marketing tools that attract new businesses, visitors, and investments. LUP-3 Use design and performance standards to create attractive and desirable commercial and office developments. CCG-3 Attract a regional market for high quality office and retail uses which increases employment opportunities, adds to the City's tax base, and establishes Federal Way's City Center as an economic leader in the South King County region. The comprehensive plan encourages success of business in Federal Way as a general concept. The success of business has a direct impact to the City's tax base, which provides the money to provide City services and amenities. It is reasonable to accommodate commercial properties located next to the freeway by adding signage that can attract the regional customer passing through the area by freeway. At the same time, it is important to maintain the aesthetics of the City so that the added signs do not detract from the entrances to the City. By limiting the number of signs and types of signs permitted, the damage to aesthetics will be minimized. Freeway Profile Signs Planning Commission Staff Report April 12,2005 Page 3 2. The proposed amendment bears a snbstantial relationship to public health, safety, or welfare. The proposed FWCC text amendment bears a relationship to the public health, safety, and welfare because it provides an opportunity for local businesses to increase their business through advertising to regional customers. Freeway signs will attract business into the City that may not have been attracted otherwise. This adds to the tax base of the City to provide City resources to its citizens. 3. The proposed amendment is in the best interest of the residents of the City. The proposed FWCC text amendment is in the best interest of the residents of the City because it fosters additional business but limits the number of signs, location, and type to minimize visual impact. VI. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION Consistent with the provisions ofFWCC Section 22-539, the Planning Commission may take the following actions regarding the proposed zoning code text amendments: 1. Recommend to City Council adoption of the FWCC text amendments as proposed; 2. Modify the proposed FWCC text amendments and recommend to City Councîl adoption of the FWCC text amendments as modified; 3. Recommend to City Council that the proposed FWCC text amendments not be adopted; or 4. Forward the proposed FWCC text amendments to City Council without a recommendation. vD. EXHIBITS Exhibit 1 - Letter from Ron Gintz, September 29,2003 Exhibit 2 - Federal Way City Code Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs," with Proposed New Language J:\DOCUMENTIFreeway Pmfile SignslPlanning Co"""issionlPlanning ComnUssion StaffRepon freeway signs. DOC Freeway Profile Signs Planning Commission Staff Report April 12, 2005 Page 4 Sep 29 03 03:44p Rq"n Gintz (253)927-0329 p. 1 L)~.'i i btr ,,----~- ----,'.--u P AGE--'-OF.. , I request this letter be read into the record at the LUTC meeting September 29,2003: e ' ell (J/J[/ I---- ~~ Concerning changing sign regulations for fi"eeway-oriented businesses: At one time Highway 99 was a major north/south arterial designed to move high volume traffic quickly and efficiently. The posted speedtimit was 50 miles per hour. As businesses located along this corridor, it was important to construct signage of sufficient height and size to ensure travelers had ample time to notice the sign and react by slowing down and stopping to shop. Two things happened over the past several years that led to a sign code, which restricts the height, size and location of frontage signs. First, Interstate 5 was built to serve as the main north/south corridor, attracting much of the traffic Highway 99 used to serve. The freeway was simply the preferred alternative for travelers seeking efficient movement north and south of our city. Second, Federal Way incorporated and began the evolution into a city with density issues, pedestrian issues and safety issues. As a result, the posted speed on Highway 99 was dramatically reduced. Traffic volume and traffic signals also contributed to slower speeds. In an attempt to add to the pedestrian-friendly aspect and the visual enhancement aspect of our city, pole signs reaching to the sky and seeking "advantage" rather than "equity" in location advertising were banned. One of the unintended consequences of the sign code was the impact on businesses, which seek to attract customers traveling 1-5 at speeds of 60- 70 miles per hour. Attempting to act with absolute fairness, consideration was not adequately given to this fact: the very reasons signs along Highway 99 needed to be lowered and modified (namely slower traffic and greater attention to pedestrian ambience), do not exist on fteeway ITontage. As more 1-5 frontage is developed on property within Federal Way's city limits, the more this issue will plague both private and public entities. It is timely to address this inequity for three reasons: 1) the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, representing many business interests in town, supports this change, 2) existing and future businesses will inevitably attract more business (and sales tax revenue) to our city, and 3) there is no visual impact to any residential or pedestrian.oriented traffic. This change is truly addressing a situation, which should have been addressed when the sign code was debated and enacted. The existence of the restriction certainly does not give it added weight as an argument for retention. Sincerely, /a~dð Ron Gintz EXHIB~ PAGE . . LONG 1-5 IN FEDERAL WAY FEDERAL WAY CITY CODE Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs" 22-1601 Signs in nonresidential zoning districts. (a) Freestanding signs. Permit applications for freestanding signs shall be designated as qualifying for a high profile, medium profile ef low profile sign, or freeway profile si~. based upon criteria regarding both the size and zoning designation of the development. The sign profile designation shall control the sign types, sign height, sign area and number of signs allowed. Separate parcels or pads for single-tenant buildings that comply with all zoning requirements for single-tenant parcels, excluding access, and are not otherwise tied to an adjacent multi-tenant center by virtue of architectural style or theme, are permitted one freestanding monument or pedestal sign not to exceed a maximum sign area of 80 square feet for the total of all sign faces with no one sign face exceeding 40 square feet. (1) High profile sign. a. Criteria. A subject property meeting all of the following criteria is permitted a high profile freestanding sign: 1. A minimum of 250 feet of frontage on one public right-of-way; 2. A zoning designation of city center core (CC-e) or city center frame (CC-F), or community business (Be); 3. A multiuse complex; and 4. A minimum site of 15 acres in size. b. Sign types. The following sign types are allowed for a high profile sign: 1. Pylon or pole signs; provided, however, that any pylon or pole sign must have more than one pole or structural support; 2. Pedestal signs; 3. Monument signs; 4. Tenant directory signs; and 5. Kiosks. Sign content for any pylon or pole sign, or for any pedestal or monument sign in lieu of a pylon or pole sign, may include electronic changeable messages, center identification signs and/or changeable copy signs. Any high profile sign may be an electrical sign, an illuminated sign, and/or a neon sign. c. Sign height. A high profile sign shall not exceed the following maximum heights: 1. Pylon or pole sign: Twenty-five feet; 2. Pedestal or monument signs: Twelve feet if in lieu of a pylon or pole sign. Otherwise, pedestal and monument signs shall not exceed five feet; 3. Tenant directory or kiosk signs: Six feet unless the sign is set back a minimum of 50 feet from any public right-of-way, in which case it may be 10 feet. d. Sign area. A high profile sign shall not exceed the following maximum sign areas: 1. Pylon or pole sign: 400 square feet for the total of sign faces with no one sign face exceeding 200 square feet; 2. Pedestal or monument signs: 128 square feet for the total of all sign faces with no one face exceeding 64 square feet; 3. Tenant directory or kiosk signs: 15 square feet per sign face. e. Number of signs. A subject property qualifying for a high profile sign may have the following maximum number of signs: Federal Way City Code, Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs" Page I ,1 ...,! b. ØI) 1-_;".'*.. '. ~ PAGEL-OF-'SIGNS ALONG 1-5 IN FEDERAL WAY ~ 1. Pylon orpole sign: One sign unless the subject property has an additional 500 feet of street frontage for a total of 750 feet of aggregate frontage on any public rights-of-way, in which case the subject property will be allowed one additional high profile sign, not to exceed a maximum of two such signs per subject property; 2. Pedestal or monument signs: If the pedestal or monument sign is in lieu of a pylon or pole sign, the number of signs allowed shall be determined pursuant to subsection (e)(I) of this section. In addition, two monument signs which identifY the name of any multiuse complex are allowed, per entrance from a public right.of-way, not to exceed five feet in height; and 3. Tenant directory or kiosk signs: One sign per frontage on a public right-of-way. (2) Medium profile sign. a. Criteria. A subject property that does not qualifY for a high profile sign pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section and is not a low profile sign by being zoned office park (OP) or professional office (PO) pursuant to subsection (a)(3) of this section is permitted a medium profile freestanding sign. b. Sign types. The following sign types are allowed for a medium profile sign: 1. Pedestal signs; and 2. Monument signs. Sign content for any medium profile sign may include electronic changeable messages, center' identification signs and/or changeable copy signs. Any medium profile sign may be an electrical sign, an illuminated sign, and/or a neon sign. c. Sign height. The height of a medium profile sign shall be calculated at the rate of 0.75 feet in the sign height for every 10 lineal feet of frontage on a public right-of-way; provided, however, that sign height shall be calculated at the rate of one and one-half feet in sign height for every 10 lineal feet of frontage on a public right-of-way for any multi.tenant complex; and provided further, that such sign shall not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet and every applicant is entitled to a minimum height of five feet. d. Sign area. For any multi-tenant complex, sign area allowed for a medium profile signs shall be calculated at the rate of two square feet per lineal foot of frontage on a public right-of-way not to exceed a maximum sign area of 128 square feet for the total of all sign faces on each permitted sign with no one sign face exceeding 64 square feet. For other uses, sign area allowed for medium profile sign shall be calculated at the rate of one square foot per lineal foot of frontage on a public right-of-way not to exceed a maximum sign area of 80 square feet for the total of all sign faces on each permitted sign with no one sign face exceeding 40 square feet. Notwithstanding the foregoing sign area calculations, every applicant is entitled to a minimum sign area of 50 square feet for the total of all sign faces with no one sign face exceeding 25 square feet. e. Number of signs. A subject property qualifYing for a medium profile sign may have one pedestal or monument sign for each street frontage. Each street frontage exceeding 300 linear feet and containing more than one vehicular access is permitted one additional ffeestanding sign. No subject property may contain more than three freestanding signs regardless of total linear street frontage and no one street frontage may have more than two freestanding signs. Freestanding signs shall be located a minimum distance of200 feet from other freestanding signs on the same subject property. (3) Low profile sign. a. Criteria. A subject property located in the office park (OP) or professional office (PO) zone is permitted a low profile freestanding sign. b. Sign types. The following sign types are allowed for a low profile sign: 1. Pedestal signs; 2. Monument signs; and 3. Tenant directory signs. Federal Way City Code, Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs" Page 2 EXHIBIT-2. " , p AGE3-OF :¡~~¡. ìs \LONG 1-5 IN FEDERAL WAY Sign content for any pedestal or monument sign may include center identification signs and/or changeable copy signs. Any low profile sign may be an electrical sign, an illuminated sign, and/or a neon SIgn. c. Sign height. A low profile sign shall not exceed the following maximum heights: 1. Pedestal or monument signs: Five feet. 2. Tenant directory signs: Six feet unless the sign is set back a minimum of 50 feet from any public right-of-way, in which case it may be 10 feet. d. Sign area. 1. Pedestal or monument signs: Sign area allowed for a low profile sign shall be calculated at the rate of one square foot per lineal foot of frontage on a public right-of-way; provided, however, that a low profile sign shall not exceed a maximum sign area of 80 square feet for the total of all sign faces on each permitted sign with no one sign face exceeding 40 square feet, and every applicant is entitled to a minimum sign area of 50 square feet for the total of all sign faces with no one sign face exceeding 25 square feet; 2. Tenant directory signs: 15 square feet per sign face. e. Number of signs. A subject property qualifying for a low profile sign may have the following maximum number of signs: 1. Pedestal or monument signs: One sign per frontage on a public right-of-way; and 2. Tenant directory signs: One sign per frontage on a public right-of-way. (4) Freeway profile signs. In addition to the cate¡zories available in FWCC 22-1601(a)(1-3t a subject property may be permitted an additional freestandin¡z sign if it meets the following: a. Criteria. 1. Abuts the ri¡zht-of-wav of Interstate 5; 2. Is located in zonin¡z designation of City Center Core (CC-C), or Community Business mC). b. Sign type. A pylon or pole sign is allowed provided, that any pylon or pole sign must have more than one pole or structural support; and its design must be compatable to the architecture of the primary structure on site or to the primary sign(s) already permitted on the subject property. Alternatively, a pylon or pole sign may have one pole or structural support if it results in superior design, which shall be subject to the director's approval. Sign content for any pylon or pole sign, may include center identification signs provided, however, that all font sizes used are a minumum two (2) feet tall. Any freestandin¡z freeway profile sign may be an illuminated sign, and/or a neon sign. Animated or movin¡z signs, electronic chan¡zeable copy and/or changeable copv signs will not be permitted. . c. Sign orientation. The sign must be oriented toward 1-5, be visible from 1-5 (not the off-ramps), and be located near the property line closest to 1-5. d. Sign height. A freewav profile sign shall not exceed 25 feet above the elevation of the nearest drivin¡z lane of the freeway at a point nearest to the proposed location of the sign. If the subject property has an elevation lower than the freeway, then the sign shall be no taller than 60 feet above the average finished ground elevation measured at the midpoint of the sign base. If the subject property has an elevation that is higher than the nearest driving lane of the freeway, then the sign shall be no taller than 20 feet above the average finshed ground elevation measured at the midpoint of the sign base. e. Sign area. A freeway profile sign shall not exceed 500 square feet for the total of sign faces, with no one sign face exceeding 250 square feet. The sign height shall be measured by a licensed survevor and the applicant shall be responsible for providin¡z the surveyor. Federal Way City Code, Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs" Page 3 '. .. 'I',., c;:l ,,- P A G Ê-LOF ~ONG 1-5 IN FEDERAL WAY f. Number of signs. A subject property qualifying for a freeway profile sign may have only one . freeway profile sign pèr subject property. The applicant shall be responsible for coordinating any such sign with the The Department of Transportation and the State of Washington Scenic Vistas Act. f41ill Combined sign package for adjacent property owners. The owners of two or more properties that abut or are separated only by a vehicular access easement or tract may propose a combined sign package to the city. The city will review and decide upon the proposal using process III. The city may approve the combined sign package if it will provide more coordinated, effective and efficient signs. The allowable sign area, sign type, sign height and number of signs will be determined as if the applicants were one multi-tenant complex. (b) Building-mounted signs. (1) Sign types. The following sign types may be building-mounted signs and are allowed in all nonresidential zoning districts: a. Awning or canopy signs; b. Center identification signs; c. Changeable copy signs; d. Civic event signs; e. Directional signs, on-site; f. Electronic changeable message signs; g. Instructional signs; h. Marquee signs; i. Projecting signs; j. Tenant directory signs; k. Time and temperature signs; 1. Under canopy signs; and m. Wall-mounted signs. Any building-mounted sign may be an electrical sign, an illuminated sign, and/or a neon sign. (2) Sign height. No sign shall project above the roofline of the exposed building face to which it is attached. (3) Sign area. The total sign area of building-mounted signs for each business or tenant, excluding under canopy signs, shall not exceed seven percent of the exposed building face to which it is attached; provided, however, that no individual sign shall exceed a sign area of 240 square feet and every applicant is entitled to a minimum sign area of 30 square feet. A multi-tenant complex which does not use a freestanding sign may have two additional wall-mounted signs. No one sign may exceed seven percent of the exposed building face to which it is attached, to a maximum of 240 square feet per sign. This sign is in addition to any other tenant signs on that building face. (4) Number of signs. The number of building-mounted signs permitted each user is dependent upon the surface area of the largest single exposed building face of his or her building as follows, excluding wall-mounted center identification signs: Largest Exposed ~aximum Building Face lNumber of Signs Less than 999 sq. ft. 12 I 1,000 - 2,999 sq. f1. Þ I þ,ooo - 3,999 sq. ft. IÞ I þ,ooo and over sq. ft. 115 I Federal Way City Code, Chapter 22, Article XVJll, "Signs" Page 4 pÄd~~F-- - ., ~.l\.Jl~S ALONG 1-5 IN FEDERAL WAY Buildings with more than 4,000 square feet on any exposed building face, with several clearly differentiated departments, each with separate exterior entrances, are permitted one sign for each different department with a separate exterior entrance, in addition to the five permitted. No sign or signs may exceed the maximum area permitted for that building face except as may be specifically permitted by this code. However, an applicant is allowed to move allotted signs, as calculated in subsection (b)(4) from one building face to another. Each business or use shall be permitted under canopy signs in addition to the other permitted building-mounted signs subject to the size and separation requirements set forth in FWCC 22- 1 599(c)(2)(w). (c) Sign area multipliers. The sign area and sign number allowed, as set forth in subsection (a)(l)(d) of this section for high profile signs, (a)(2)(d) of this section for medium profile signs, and (a)(3)(d) of this section for low profile signs and subsection (b)(3) of this section for building~mounted signs may be increased in the following instances; provided, however, that in no event shall the sign exceed the maximum sign area allowed: (1) If no signs on the subject property have internally lighted sign faces, then the total sign area allowed may be increased by 25 percent. (2) If all signs, other than center identification signs, are building-mounted signs, the total sign area allowed may be increased by 25 percent. (3) A time and temperature sign may be included with any sign and such time and temperature signs shall not be included for purposes of calculating maximum sign area or maximum number of signs. (Ord. No. 95-235, § 4, 6-6-95; Ord. No. 96-270, § 3(F), 7-2-96; Ord. No. 99-348, § 5,9-7-99; Ord. No. 99-357, § 6, 12-7-99) 1:\2005 Code Amendments\Freeway Commercial Signs\SEPA\032405 Code Amendmentdoc/4/12/2005 10:00 AM Federal Way City Code, Chapter 22, Article XVIII, "Signs" Page 5 J{H\B.\T~Ja '. ~ ~. ---OE- ~-~,. P AGE Federal Way City Code Chapter 22. Article XVIII. SIGNS Sections: 22-1596 Purpose. 22-1597 Definitions. 22-1598 Scope. 22-1599 Permits. 22-1600 Prohibited signs. 22-1601 Signs in nonresidential zoning districts. 22-1602 Construction standards. 22-1603 Variance from sign code. 22-1604 Compliance and enforcement. 22-1605 Reserved - Comprehensive design plan. 22-1606 - 22-1629 Reserved. 22-1597 Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: (1) Abandoned sign means any sign remaining in place after a sign has not been maintained for a period of 90 or more consecutive days or if the activity conducted on the subject property ceases for 180 consecutive days. (2) Administrator means the director of community development or his/her designated representative. (3) Animated or moving sign means any sign that uses movement, by either natHfal 0r me6flBnieal meat'll), or chat'lge 0f lighting, either natural ør artifieial, 10 depiet aetiøn to create a speeial effeet 0r seene. or the appearance of movement of a silZIl display throui!:h the use of patterns of lights. changes in color or light intensity. computerized special effects. video display. or through anv other method chasin~ or scintillating lights. fluttering or moving lights. lights with stroboscopic effect. or containing elements creating sound or smell; except for the scrolling of a static message. scene or color onto or off a sign board in one direction per message. (4) Architectural embellishments - Signs means the aesthetic elements of the structure that includes or encloses a sign. They do not include any copy, text, logos, graphics, or other elements of the sign face or sign base, but are solely intended to enhance the aesthetics of the structural elements surrounding or supporting the sign. (5) Awning means a shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of the building and are constructed of a noncombustible framework and covered by a flexible or nonrigid fabric. Awnings can be fixed, retractable, or collapsible. Any structure that extends above the adjacent parapet or roof of a supporting building is not included within the definition of awning. (6) Awning or canopy sign means a non-electric sign on the vertical surface or flap that is printed on, painted on, or attached to an awning or canopy. Illumination for the awning or canopy shall be for safety purposes only, and therefore, shall point toward the ground and not illuminate the canopy. (See also "Marquee sign.") @2004 Code Publishing Co. Page I