2009, 01-26 Special Study Session MinutesAttendance:
Councilmembers
January 26, 2009
Rich Munson, Mayor
Dick Denenny, Deputy Mayor
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
Steve Taylor, Councilmember
Diana Wilhite, Councilmember
Mayor Munson opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION MEETING
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
Spokane Valley City Hall
Spokane Valley, Washington
Staff
6:00 p.m.
Dave Mercier, City Manager
Mike Jackson, Deputy City Manager
Kathy McClung, Community Develop. Dir.
Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney
Scott Kuhta, Senior Planner
Lori Barlow, Associate Planner
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information officer
Chris Bainbridge City Clerk
1. Sprague- Appleway Revitalization Plan — Scott Kuhta
Planner Kuhta explained that the discussion on pre- located streets will be postponed as the legal
department continues their research; and said that tonight's meeting will focus on the three remaining
chapters: Parking, Signs, and Architectural Standards. Mr. Kuhta reviewed the decisions made during the
January 12 and January 13 meetings, and said staff is still working on a more succinct definition of "high
quality" concerning the bars and nightclubs.
Parking: Mr. Kuhta reviewed the parking standards provisions, and said that no specific comments were
received from the public concerning parking. Mr. Kuhta also reviewed the proposed revisions for shared
parking as he said there is nothing in the code that explains that now.
"2.4.2 Parking Standards:
1) Provisions
iii) For use categories where shared parking is required, parking facilities shall
remain open for non - exclusive, public use.
iv) Minimum parking requirements may be reduced in developments where it
can be demonstrated that shared parking facilities will meet parking demand
without providing separate facilities for each use.
Mixed use developments are eligible to be considered for reductions in the
minimum parking requirements with an approved parking demand analysis
prepared by the applicant. .
Mixed use projects will be evaluated on a case -by -case basis by the
Community development director /designee."
Mr. Kuhta reviewed the hierarchy of access shown on pages 8 of 10, mentioned curb cuts were reviewed
by our development engineers but that he has not received any feedback from that review yet; and said he
recommends after reviewing these in more detail, that staff look at the Spokane Valley Municipal Code
(SVMC) as the requirements for landscaping, as he explained it makes more sense to refer to the Code as
it is more detailed and easier to administer. Deputy Mayor Denenny said he would like to see a
comparison of the Code and the Plan's requirements, and he asked that staff and council might explore
whether core parking requirements should perhaps be different from other areas. Mayor Munson asked
about lighting and Mr. Kuhta said lighting requirements are mixed throughout the chapter; and said he
Council Meeting Minutes: 01 -26 -09 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 02 -10 -09
will bring those requirements and comparisons back to Council as well and again mentioned that the Code
contains more specific language.
Signage: Mr. Kuhta said the three main issues of signage, which differ slightly from the SVMC include:
1 Billboards not being permitted: there is no off - premise advertising; and the sizing restrictions
actually restrict billboards without using the language that no billboards are permitted.
2 Electronic signs are only permitted in the gateway commercial zones (page 2 of 36): Mr.
Kuhta said this will be further examined in the auto zone; at which point Councilmember
Wilhite said she would like an exact definition of electronic signs, including video boards.
Councilmember Gothmann said he would like to also address animated signs and where those
might or might not be permitted.
3 Total amount of building mounted signage based upon lineal frontage ratio (2 of 36).
There was discussion about the billboards currently along Sprague being grandfathered in; that electronic
signs would not be allowed unless in the gateway commercial area; the proposal of not allowing
electronic signs anywhere in the corridor except gateway commercial; discussion of different types of
electronic signs like gas stations, or those which only change the numbers, or only change the letters, and
discussion on what type to allow where; of setbacks and not allowing off - premise advertising; that
electronic signs would be allowed on building faces; that time and temperature signs are allowed as an
exception; and that Mayor Munson, and Councilmembers Gothmann, Dempsey and Wilhite agree that
scrolling -type electronic signs should be allowed; but Deputy Mayor Denenny said that needs to be
examined further as he doesn't want large flashing signs that inhibit walking or accessibility in the city
center. Concerning advertising multiple businesses, Mr. Kuhta said he will research that. Councilmember
Taylor asked about the issues connected with electronic signs, whether it would be the intensity of the
lights, or on a more subjective basis like aesthesis. Councilmember Gothmann agreed the intensity of
electronic signs should be addressed, and Council determined they would like examples of what would be
allowed or not allowed in any area so that developers could make informed signage decisions. Mr. Kuhta
said he will also research a definition for animation.
There was discussion on the edits contained on page 4 of 36, and Mr. Kuhta confirmed that page 4A will
have a reference to the municipal code. Mr. Kuhta also brought council's attention to figure 2.6, and said
he is not sure why a grand projecting sign would not be permitted (page 7 of 36). Portable menu signs
were also discussed (top of page 15), and Councilmember Wilhite questioned why retail stores would not
be allowed to have portable menu signs. Mr. Kuhta mentioned he will re- examine numbers i) and ii)
under a) Standards; and there was further discussion on A- frame, sandwich boards signs and whether to
allow then closer to the curb or the building, and of the idea of allowing sandwich boards in the Core area,
and that it could always be changed later. There was also discussion on what actually is and is not a sign,
with mention that the definition covered in the SVMC should suffice.
Mayor Munson called for a short break at 7:15 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Mr. Kuhta brought Council's attention to the slide explaining the "Lineal Frontage Ratio" and of page 7
of 36; and Mayor Munson said that this topic would be a good topic to have some "what -ifs" to explain
this concept. Council recommended removing that they have to be mounted below the second floor; and
it was decided that staff will re - write page 2 of 36 under standards #8 as that language is confusing. Mr.
Kuhta said future discussion will include electronic signs and whether to allow billboards, and said staff
will ensure the public will be made aware of these proposals and be made aware these are being
considered. Mr. Kuhta said he would have to research to see if inflatables are allowed in auto row and
said he is not sure why we would regulate the Gateway Avenue different from the Centers. Freestanding
pole signs were discussed and Councilmember Wilhite said she can discuss this with the franchisees later.
Mr. Kuhta added that Council could require monument signs to be standard or not, and reminded Council
Council Meeting Minutes: 01 -26 -09 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 02 -10 -09
that the "guidelines" are not enforceable; and regarding monument signs, there was Council consensus to
change the 4 feet residential boulevard height requirement to 7 feet .
For the future sign discussion, Mr. Kuhta said he will bring pictures of the different types to aid the
discussion in where types of signs should be or should not be permitted, how often an electronic sign
should change, brightness, measuring impact, aesthesis, and subjective interpretation.
Architectural Regulations: Mr. Kuhta again reminded Council that most of what is written are
guidelines, which cannot be enforced; as the standards are the only things we can enforce. Mr. Kuhta
explained the handout on "Massing and Composition" and the District Zones Charts, with the examples
of mixed use avenue versus neighborhood center; and asked if Council sees any guideline that should be
moved to standards, to please bring that to staff's attention; and said some projects are in progress, and as
Council moves closer to adopting this plan, the idea of having a grace period might also be considered.
Mayor Munson asked Council to think about holding additional meetings, and said that perhaps after the
February 3 meeting, it can be determined how many more meetings might be needed. There being no
further business, Mayor Munson adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
ATTES
Christine Bainbridge, ity Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes: 01 -26 -09 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council: 02 -10 -09