PC APPROVED Minutes 08-25-11.pdf Spokane Valley Planning Commission
APPROVED Minutes
Council Chambers — City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.
August 25, 2011
L CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
IL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the pledge of allegiance.
IIL ROLL CALL
Commissioners Bates, Carroll, Mann, Neill, Stoy were present.
Commissioners Hall and Sands were absent.
Commissioner Stoy made a motion which was seconded to excuse Commissioners Hall
and Sands from the August 25, 2011 meeting. This moti�n was passed unanimously.
Staff attending the meeting: Scott Kuhta, Planner Manager; Lori Barlow, Senior
Planner; Karen Kendall, Assistant Planner;��I�eanr�a Griffith, Administrative Assistant
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Mann made a motion to approve' the August 25, 2011 agenda as
presented. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES'
Commissioner Mann made a motion which was seconded to approve as presented the
minutes from May 12� May 26, and �����June 23, 2011 meetings. This motion was
unanimously approved.
VL PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
VIL COMMISSION REPCIRTS
Commissioner Mann'��stated he had attended a water rights seminar in Coeur d'Alene.
VIIL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Planning Manager Kuhta reported John Hohman has been named as the new
Community Development Director. Mr. Kuhta also shared several upcoming items on
the advanced agenda of interest to the Planning Commissioners.
IX. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. Unfinished Business: There was no unfinished business
B. New Business: Study Session on Title 22 — Section 22.70 Landscaping and Section
22.110 Signs.
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Planning Manager Kuhta stated the City Council had given staff a directive to
review the signage and landscaping regulations. Planning Commissioners did have
a few defining questions as the presentation went along and they were answered at
the time they were asked.
Mr Kuhta stated the Spokane County sign regulations went through a maj or
overhaul in 2001, with a very long process which involved a sign committee, their
maximum size and heights were generally reduced, temporary signs required a
permit, portable signs were prohibited, there was a restriction on billboards which
also had an advisory vote on amortization.
When the City incorporated in 2003, we inherited the County's sign re�ulations. In
2005 an Ad Hoc sign committee was formed to draft a new sign code to meet the
needs of our own community. Although it was similar to �the CQUnty code �or most
height/size standards, it lessened restrictions on billboards,� but did institut�d a cap
and replace program, prohibited signs included all'��� portable signs, the City would
require no spacing distance for multi-business signs (the County requires 500 ft),
temporary signs would still require a permit with similar restrictions� to the County.
In 2006 the Ad Hoc Sign Committee was asked to'' come together again to address
decorative emblem signs. After the sign ''���cc�de was adopted, the City actively
enforced the regulations along the Sprague,corridor, as well as in other places in the
City, temporary and portable signs �were removed, however now the enforcement of
the sign code is done by complaint only. Question about only complaint driven
code enforcement.
Mr. Kuhta covered several kinds of signs which appear in the City, the prohibited
signs, and the type of code changes which could possibly be coming forward.
Those could be regarding temporary signs and landscaping around signs on fully
developed parcels.
Then the Planning Manger discussed why a City should require landscaping. He
shared that it will�� reduce visual, noise and lighting impacts on adjacent properties,
provide a buffer between incompatible land uses, helps preserve property values
and reduce heat effect in parking lots. Mr. Kuhta explained when landscaping is
required, all new commercial development, additions to existing commercial
buildings exceeding 500 sq ft and alterations to existing sites exceeding 500 sq ft.
Question raised was these requirements do not apply to residential development.
No, it is intended to buffer against residential development.
Mr. Kuhta�����talked about the City's landscaping point system. Spokane Valley is the
only local jurisdiction to use point system. The Intent is to allow
flexibility/creativity for landscape designer, there is an allowance for existing trees,
there are bonuses for xeriscaping (landscaping that uses less water and
maintenance) and using this system has not produced substantially different
landscaping plans. Mr. Kuhta also discussed the code requirement for a landscape
plans to be drawn and stamped by registered landscape architect and that prior to
Certificate of Occupancy the registered landscape architect must certify that
landscaping and irrigation installed in accordance with approved plans.
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Mr. Kuhta shared the possible code amendments which could be coming forward in
regards to the landscaping: lowering the threshold for landscaping for building
additions and site alterations, remove landscaping requirements for new storage
buildings on existing industrial sites, remove requirement for landscaping around
signs in developed areas, and not requiring a landscape architect for small proj ects
X. GOOD OF THE ORDER
There was nothing for the good of the order
XL ADJOURNMENT
The being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m:
SUBMITTED: ' APPROUED:
Deanna Griffith, Administrative Assistant �� John G. Carroll, Chairperson
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