More News March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run In Gear for Good Kramer puts integrity first at Christian Brothers City commissions offer chance to serve, enhance community When Danetta “Dg” Garcia’s bid for a Liberty Lake City Council seat fell short, she didn’t give up on the idea of serving the city she calls home. TT's Brewery and Barbecue Expands to Neighborhood Liberty Lake Location In the smoky realm of barbecue, TT's BBQ has carved a niche for itself as a beacon of mouth watering flavors and culinary expertise for both their beer and food. Daughters of The American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890. HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement. Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam. Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City. At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project. Council social media training degenerates into confrontation Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting. Central Valley School District Prop. 1 Eat, Shop, and Be Merry Water Works 2023 Candidate Guide Sporting in Liberty Lake Closing the Chasm Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023 2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming! Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide! Public Safety Raised to New Level Parks and Art Commission Looking Ahead to 2023 Eat, Shop and Be Merry New city administrator Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map! Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!! Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates Pavillion Park You Are Invited Destination Liberty Lake Liberty Lake's Lego Home Making and Impact 2022

Search the News Archive

Council tackles debate over political signage
1/16/2013 11:30:17 AM

There was plenty of campaigning at Tuesday night's Liberty Lake City Council meeting, although the discussion itself dealt more with the idea of placard placement than political platforms.

The debate centered around the only proposed amendment to the municipal development code from 2012, a recommendation by the planning commission to amend Section 10-3E-5 involving the use of political signs within city limits. In a 3-2 vote last year, the commission agreed to endorse a change to the code from 2011 that currently prohibits political signs from public property within the right-of-way or a public easement. A pair of planning commission members were absent from the meeting when the vote occurred.

The right-of-way adjustment was enforced during last year's election season - most noticeably in popular areas for candidate marketing such as the field bordering the eastbound off-ramp of I-90 into Liberty Lake - until a directive from City Hall halted the removal of signs.

On Tuesday, City Attorney Sean Boutz cited a legal precedent in the city of Tacoma in which the Washington Supreme Court found no compelling reason to restrict political signage in the public right-of-way when stacked against the First Amendment guarantee of political speech. Mayor Steve Peterson addressed the question when he returned to office last year, expressing concern that while certain advertisements for events like a Kiwanis breakfast or a neighborhood garage sale could be placed in the right-of-way, political signs were banned based on the amendment from 2011.

"I asked for the documentation that supports this," Peterson said. "You cannot ban political signs and allow all other signs."

Advertisement

Council Member Dan Dunne, who was serving as chair of the planning commission when the amendment was approved by the City Council two years ago, said on Tuesday that "nothing significant has changed" since the code was altered, other than Peterson being installed as mayor. Dunne added that temporary signs for events and promotions "are handled very differently than political signs."

Mayor Pro Tem Odin Langford voiced his support for keeping the injunction in place, emphasizing that the city "is not prohibiting political signs, we're just prohibiting political signs in the public right-of-way."

Tuesday's agenda also included a public hearing on the proposed amendment with the two dissenting members of the planning commission - Bob Moore and Karl Patchin - stating their case for keeping the right-of-way restriction in place. Moore noted that a reversal of the standard could wreak aesthetic havoc in a number of public spaces, including the roundabout slated for the intersection of Harvard, Mission and westbound I-90.

"Can you imagine 100 political signs in the middle of a roundabout?" Moore said.

Stan Jochim, who was in the majority of the planning commission decision, countered with an argument that went back to Boutz's statements about political speech. Jochim added that while a gaggle of political advertisements "can be unsightly," the posting of signs is part of the process "of seeing who are potential leaders will be." 

A second reading on the amendment to the development code - along with an anticipated council vote - is scheduled for the Feb. 5 council meeting.

In other municipal news related to signage - this one of the gateway variety - landscape architect Mike Terrell appeared before council to provide an update on the ornamental portion of the roundabout scheduled for installment later this year. With a goal of "establishing a sense of place and identity for Liberty Lake," Terrell outlined plans for a city entrance sign similar to the stout brick monuments that stand on the south end of the Harvard Road Bridge.

The layout would also include a backdrop of evergreen trees, plants featuring perennial color, low ground cover that would not impair motorist visibility and space for an art feature at some point in the future.  The gateway sign would be illuminated with the underlying theme of the design signifying, in Terrell's words, "a sense of movement and motion."

"People will get the sense that they need to keep to the right and move around," Terrell said.

Terrell will next meet with city staff to review the final design proposal, go over plant selection and address maintenance requirements. The design must be presented to representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation by Jan. 28.

Also on Tuesday, City Administrator Katy Allen gave an update on the Sprague Avenue Trail project discussed at last week's council meeting.  Allen said the timeline for the new trail would include a presentation of the design and survey to the Transportation Benefit District board in March with a community meeting to follow in April. If all goes as anticipated, the pathway would be constructed over June and July.

Finally, a reminder was issued that Liberty Lake City Hall and the municipal library will be closed on Monday as the nation observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day.