Title
Sign Code Update - Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the second public draft of the proposed sign code.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.5722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
Work to update the sign code began in late 2016, primarily in response to the US Supreme Court case known as Reed v. Town of Gilbert, AZ, which addressed sign content and standards for temporary signs. The City also wanted to update the sign code in order to increase clarity, provide more consistency across standards and zoning districts, and to streamline and simplify the code.
An advisory committee was used to consider policy changes to how the city addresses signs, changes in the sign industry and new sign types, and options to provide more clarity in the code. The committee was made up of businesses, neighborhood representatives, the sign industry, and community members. The committee met seven times with its final meeting devoted to review of a draft sign code. Comments on that draft led to the first public draft, which was issued in July of 2018.
The City held an Open House on the draft sign code in August of 2018. Additionally, newsletters and email announcements were sent to subscribers, committee members, and interested parties. Comments received since the issuance of the first draft have been considered and revisions have been made. The second public draft was issued and posted to the Sign Code Update webpage on Friday, September 21, 2018.
The second draft primarily responds to comments received on the first draft. New text has been added to clarify how sign size allowances are calculated in the Downtown Sign Zone. Additionally, language was added to address concerns raised about wall signs for small tenant spaces in multiple tenant buildings in the Business & Corrido...
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