PC APPROVED Minutes 10-10-19 Regular Meeting Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers—City Hall
October 10, 2019
L Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
IL Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance.
HI. Assistant Deanna Horton called roll and the following members and staff were present:
James Johnson Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
Danielle Kaschmitter Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Timothy Kelley Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Robert McKinley
Raymond Friend
Michelle Rasmussen
Matt Walton Deanna Horton, Administrative Assistant
IV. AGENDA: Commissioner McKinley moved to approve the October 10, 2019 agenda as
written. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in‘favor, zero opposed,
and the motion passed.
V. MINUTES: Commissioner Walton moved to approve the September 26, 2019 minutes as
written. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero opposed,
and the motion passed
VI. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Johnson reported he attended a candidate
forum for Spokane Public Schools on Sept 28, and at the Human Rights Task Force meeting
on October 8 attended a screening of Hate and the Internet.
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Building Official Jenny Nickerson reported the legal team
was currently investigating the voting issue which was raised at the September 26 meeting.
Neither attorney was able to attend this meeting but hoped to have an answer at the next
meeting.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS:
i. Study Session, CTA-2019-0003 a proposed amendment to Spokane Valley
Municipal Code (SVMC) 22.70.080 Signs in the aesthetic corridors.
Senior Planner Lori Barlow gave a presentation to the Commissioners regarding
the proposed amendment to SVMC 22.70.080, signs in aesthetic corridors. Ms.
Barlow explained that over the years there has been inconsistency while
implementing the code based on staff interpretations. Staff feels the conflict
between the intent of the code and how it is written is creating unnecessary
restrictions on property owners in the aesthetic corridors.
Ms. Barlow discussed the existing dimensional, zoning and size standards for
signs, and how they affect the aesthetic corridors. She noted that the current
regulations only allow monument signs in the corridors. She showed examples
of monument signs as well as wall and pole signs for a better visual understanding.
She noted that the amendment would allow wall signs in the aesthetic corridor
consistent with the existing regulations. Current regulations allow a wall sign to
be up to 25 percent of the wall area. The proposed change would be to strike the
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sentence which states "only monument signs are allowed in the aesthetic
corridors." The other changes proposed are only for the purpose of cleaning up
the code with no substantive change.
Commissioner Johnson stated he would support the change but expressed
concerns regarding flashing signs. He said he thought they could be distracting
and might ruin the feeling of the aesthetic corridor. Ms. Barlow explained that
there are regulations in place which control the flashing elements of a sign,
automatic dimming is required which causes the brightness to dim to the ambient
light. There were no other items brought up for discussion.
Ms. Barlow concluded a public hearing had been advertised for the October 24,
2019 meeting.
ii. Discussion, updating Planning Commission Rules of Procedure.
Ms.Nickerson introduced the subject of the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure and
stated City Clerk Chris Bainbridge was in attendance to offer assistance in the update. Mrs.
Bainbridge mentioned the Council's Governance Manual is updated every year. It
addresses items which are not currently in the PC Rules of Procedure such as where
members shall sit, and attendance when a member does not show up for meetings.
There was considerable discussion over when a quorum would be established and when it
would no longer be in effect. Commissioners were concerned if there were only four
members in attendance and a vote needed to be taken, but someone would need to recuse
themselves would a quorum still exist. It was determined that unless someone actually left
the building/meeting a quorum would still exist.
Commissioner Rasmussen asked where the time limit came from in regard to speaking at
the public hearing. She asked when the time limit was set, who set it and when it could be
different. Commissioner McKinley offered that having a specific time limit lets people
know what to prepare for and how long they know they will be allowed to speak. If the
chair decides to allow a longer time frame,then they can expand, but not knowing does not
allow for someone to prepare if they are trying to limit what they are trying to say.
Commissioner Johnson offered if there are a few people wishing to speak at a hearing,then
he felt the chair could offer more time, but when there were many people to speak,the time
limit should be kept to three minutes.
After extensive discussion regarding the use of small board rules, the Commissioners
determined that they would prefer to have a motion on the floor before they begin
discussion. They will no longer discuss the merits of any proposals without a motion.
There was some discussion of having one meeting per month, unless there is no business,
then staff will contact the Chair and the Vice Chair and discuss cancelling the meeting.
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: The Commissioners thanked Mrs. Bainbridge for her time and
expertise in discussing the PC Rules of Procedure. Commissioner McKinley stated he would
be unable to attend the October 24, 2019 meeting.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Rasmussen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
The vote on the motion was seven in favor, zero opposed, and the motion passed.
James Johi son, Chairman Date signed
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Dean a Horton, Secretary