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Planning Comm MINS 04-20-2005K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 04-20-05.doc CITY OF FEDERAL WAY PLANNING COMMISSION April 20, 2005 City Hall 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES Commissioners present: John Caulfield, Hope Elder, Dave Osaki, Dini Duclos, Merle Pfeifer, and Lawson Bronson. Commissioners absent: Bill Drake (unexcused). Alternate Commissioners present: Tony Moore, Christine Nelson, and Pam Duncan-Pierce. Alternate Commissioners absent: none. Staff present: Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Assistant City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall, Code Compliance Officer Betty Cruz, 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 23, 2005, minutes as presented. AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Ms. Clark informed the Commission that staff has provided them with a supplement to the Federal Way City Code. In addition, they have been given two emails. The first is from Sam Pace with a number of questions and concerns regarding the City’s housing targets and other items. The second is Community Development Director Kathy McClung’s response. COMMISSION BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARING – Freeway Profile Signs Code Amendment Ms. Clark delivered the staff report. Code Compliance Officer Betty Cruz, who has worked with the sign code since its inception, is available to answer any technical questions the Commission may have. The proposed amendment would allow a new type of signage along the freeway as long as it meets the following criteria: • It must abut I-5 and be oriented to the freeway. • It must be located in a City Center-Core (CC-C) or Community Business (BC) zone. • Pylon or pole signs are permitted as long as the sign has a minimum of two poles. The Community Development Director may allow an exception to this rule as long as it can be demonstrated that a superior design can be achieved. • The sign must be compatible with other signs and structures on the property. • Font size of the letters must be a minimum of two feet and they can be neon or illuminated. Changeable copy signs are not permitted. • The sign area cannot exceed 250 square feet per side. • 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 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 April 20, 2005 K:\Planning Commission\2005\Meeting Summary 04-20-05.doc 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. • Coordination with the state will be required by the applicant. Staff had reviewed/researched the elevation of all parcels abutting I-5 when determining the sign height regulations. Ms. Clark noted that staff researched other city’s regulations and the proposed amendment closely matches them. Staff is proposing language that is not in the staff report, but which was passed out to the Commission as “Modified Exhibit 2,” to allow signs that are on parcels above the freeway to go to a maximum of 40 feet in order to be visible over trees and other obstructions, subject to the Community Development Director’s approval. After much discussion, the Commission would like the staff to consider/research the following issues: • Consider allowing electronic signs and/or electronic changeable copy and if not, back up reasons why not (such as safety issues) with statistics. • Allow 300 square feet as opposed to 250 square feet. • Meet with business owners. • Check Forest Practices to be sure we can top trees when parcel is over five acres. • Consider tree/obstacle exemption for parcels below the freeway. • Give Commissioners a copy of the Power Point presentation. • Would any parcels in the PAA be affected, and if so, which ones? • Check with DOT about regulations on distances between signs and size of fonts for freeway signs. • Which parcels would be allowed a sign? The Commission opened the meeting to Public Testimony. Jim Johnson – He is with Jet Chevrolet. He feels the proposed amendments are headed in the right direction. He would like the City to allow reader board signs. Enchanted Village has a reader board sign and as far as he can tell, it has caused no problems. [Ms. Clark noted that the reader board sign for Enchanted Village is allowed through a development agreement.] His business has declined some 25 to 35 percent since they have had to go to a smaller sign. He also feels 250 square feet per sign face is not large enough. It was m/s/c to continue the Public Hearing on Freeway Profile Sign Code Amendment to 7:00 p.m. on June 1, 2005, in the City Hall Council Chambers. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Chair Caulfield reminded the Commission about the Volunteer Dinner to be held this Friday, April 22. AUDIENCE COMMENT None ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.