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Council divided on proposed changes to sign code
1/21/2015 12:48:23 PM

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor

The message resonated as if printed in blinking, neon font - the Liberty Lake City Council is far from a consensus on any alterations to the municipal sign code. 

Tuesday night's council meeting featured a long-awaited list of recommendations from Studio Cascade, a consulting firm hired by the city last year to review opinions of the existing sign code and compile recommendations for possible changes. City Administrator Katy Allen prefaced the formal presentation with a brief summary of the city's official take on signage that emphasizes "quality of life, the environment and economic vitality" while finding a middle ground between the priorities of residents and the marketing realities of local businesses. 

While "the harmony of architectural design and greenspace" may be the lofty vision of the city when it comes to sign regulations, achieving it may prove to be more problematic than first imagined. Chaz Bates of Studio Cascade reminded council on Tuesday that the company had been charged to lead a process that involved "studying the code, understanding the issues, recommending direction and amending the code, if necessary."

The recommended direction includes allowing free-standing electronic changeable signs along Interstate 90 and similar monument signs on major arterials like Appleway and Country Vista. A pair of electronic changeable signs, owned and operated by the city, would promote community events. Also advised is a clarification on the standards and locations of wall signs. Any new signs would need to adhere to current standards outlined in the sign chapter of city's comprehensive plan.  

Studio Cascade consulted with a stakeholder group of around 30 that included members of the City Council and the community development committee, citizen volunteers, the city planning commission and representatives of the business community. A public workshop was held at City Hall last September to gather feedback. The planning commission voted in support of Studio Cascade's recommendations at its meeting on Jan. 14.

"The consensus we got was that it is time for Liberty Lake to catch up with technology," Charles Matthews of the planning commission told council on Tuesday. Matthews added that many of the current signs around town are "almost illegible." 

City Council Member Bob Moore, a former member of the planning commission, expressed concern that a preponderance of electronic changeable signs would disrupt the established aesthetic standards that define Liberty Lake. 

"It seems to me that if we're saying there can be a multitude of electronic changeable signs it would be contradictory to the purpose section of the sign code," Moore said. "There are a few places where these signs would be great, but I can't see opening up the floodgates to do that." 

Moore suggested some electronic changeable signs might be considered on a variance basis.

"I haven't seen businesses clamoring at these meetings for electronic changeable signs," Moore said. 

Council Member Shane Brickner voiced support for the recommendations, saying that he talks to residents from time to time about new businesses in the city but often finds "they don't know where they are."

Council would need to initiate an amendment process to the sign code by the beginning of April to have any potential changes take effect. Mayor Pro Tem Cris Kaminskas said she would like the city to gather more feedback before moving forward.

"The people who live here need to have a say in what their city looks like," Kaminskas said.

Others around the dais, such as Council Member Keith Kopelson, said such input should have been gathered already along with examples of what the new signage would look like. Studio Cascade contracted with the city for around $25,000 to complete the study. 

"I was hoping for something more substantial," Kopelson said. 

A number of citizens spoke in favor of amending the code on Tuesday, including Jordan Dummitt of Liberty Lake-based R'nR RV, who said the business would appreciate being able to include multiple RV manufacturers on signage that would draw customers off I-90. Katherine Morgan, new CEO of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, also voiced support for code changes that would allow businesses to broaden their marketing efforts. 

Steve Kempf of Liberty Lake-based Mountain Dog Sign Co. urged council to include each of the recommended options in their amendment initiative so all those with a stake in the discussion "will know all the things that you're considering."

Bates said there should be other considerations on the table, such as the allowable brightness of electronic signs and frequency of rotating messages. Studio Cascade's list also included a stipulation that the changeable monument signs be shut down between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.   

Council Member Dan Dunne, also a former planning commission member, said a thoughtful approach to electronic changeable signs can make all the difference.

"Design standards can make a sign not so visually distracting," Dunne said. "We need a process of public discussion on why this is an important possible change for our city." 

Steve Skipworth, a Liberty Lake resident and commissioner with the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, leaned toward a more conservative approach to signage. Skipworth pointed to the example of Scottsdale, Ariz., which has incorporated, in his words, signage "that gives a reflection of what the community is."

"Please consider the character and aesthetics of your community," Skipworth told council.

When the discussion subsided, Allen said she was hearing a mandate of "more time, more information" from the council. She said she would meet with Kaminskas to discuss the next steps in the process.  

Pavillion Park concession stand update
In the other major workshop discussion on Tuesday, council heard a breakdown of options for capital upgrades at Pavillion Park. SPVV Landscape Architects was commissioned by the city to generate design drawings and cost estimates on proposed improvements such as a new concession stand, expanded women's bathroom and storage space. 

Allen told the governing board she received the report on Jan. 16 from SPVV that featured three options. The first included the addition of a concession facility on the eastern end of the current structure at a cost of $66,000. The second scenario would expand the women's bathroom, add a new roof to the existing building and add more storage room at a pricetag of $180,000. The final option would include all of the improvements and run the city $246,000.

In December, council balked at a proposal in Peterson's original budget for 2015 that would have added a permanent concession stand for $85,000. 

Council Member Hugh Severs said the city might want to reconsider adding another storage site after a similar project at Rocky Hill Park and another one slated for the ballfields. Severs added that for the $5,000 fee, SPVV should have a representative on hand to discuss the options in more detail.  

"We could use the storage, but I'm not strongly advocating for it," Allen replied. "We just wanted to bring back good information for your consideration."

Council Member Odin Langford suggested the city hold a workshop to consider upgrades to Pavillion Park on a broader scale. Others proposed that a larger central storage site at the park would mean doing away with plans for a space at the ballfields.

Several citizens weighed in on the concession stand debate, including Charmaine Peterson, who noted that council had recently approved $30,000 for the revival of Liberty Lake Days this summer. Calculating the shelf life of a new concession stand over 30 years and the cost of the community celebration over that same span, Peterson speculated that "the city could afford a pretty nice concession stand for $900,000."

In other city news:

• Mayor Peterson presented a certificate of appreciation to Larry Rider, deputy chief of support services with the Spokane Valley Fire Department on Tuesday. Rider began his career with SVFD in 1980 and is retiring this month. 

• Mary Gilmore, regional membership coordinator with Northwest MedStar, gave council an overview of the nonprofit critical care transport service. The MedStar fleet includes six helicopters, four airplanes, eight ambulances and over 200 employees. While insurance can cover some MedStar costs, Gilmore said a family membership - $59 a year or $150 for three years and even lower at group rates - ensures complete coverage.    

• JoAnn Jenkins, longtime permit technician and information specialist with the city, will be retiring Feb. 3. The process has begun to hire Jenkins' replacement. 

• Allen gave an overview of the region's "report card" as compiled by Greater Spokane Inc. The regional chamber of commerce has been meeting with cities, including Liberty Lake, to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the area when it comes to economic development and drawing companies into the community. The overall grade hovered around a B average with the region earning high marks in transportation, utilities, sustainability and regulatory approaches while scoring low in business climate and incentives for companies. 

• Council voted unanimously on a resolution that will update a countywide commute trip reduction plan focused on scaling back traffic and carbon emissions. Spokane County has eliminated approximately 7,600 vehicles from the local commute as a result of the program.

• The first read took place on Tuesday for an ordinance that would broaden the zoning regulations for businesses that sell, process or produce marijuana-related products within city limits. A second read and a council vote is set for a special meeting on Jan. 27. 

• Allen gave an update on standing water at the Liberty Lake Ballfields, noting that the site's contractor has been placed on notice and could be held responsible for reparations depending on the cause of the flooding. Emphasizing "the solution will not be expensive," Allen said the city will be able to further address the situation when the weather turns warmer and drier. 

• The city has put a hold on a project that would add a restroom and storage facility to the ballfields property. Council will wait until the results of the Central Valley School District bond election on Feb. 10 to discuss plans that could include a community swimming pool near the fields. Council will hold a workshop on the pool at its Feb. 17 meeting. 

• Finance Director R.J. Stevenson gave an overview of social services funding approved by council in the 2015 budget. He recommended that the governing board outline its goals and outcomes as well as a proposal and application in draft forms for community groups interested in a share of the allotted $10,000.

• The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at City Hall. A special meeting will be held Jan. 27 for a second read on the aforementioned marijuana ordinance. 


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