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Home My WebLink AboutReal Estate Sign Code Amendments (9/22/2003) p,i,„1.,....4. „. 1 ..� .ter r j i„...,,,4,,,52 ..,,....,,Gaf,_ ._44 174) oU q ti CD o d D q,� , .,-rU a 7 N r4 0 0 cu+o' y o i� o-- rip 0 0o U Um° ••�� catip', m. ;b�s'oow, o U.:I, Z o a0ioo o"0`Q .p o.o d. � oz��Zy� ai CO M F,Z pp c) t,F4�ri,>,U W aL cz�,+� o`vp a),', o viN S CO c" a'"i Gam; 14'-' £ ° ccZU q 10. ° C co a° `o yU c' w�M m o ICN �P4WP' E,'' --P4.Z'T) O. 6' a'o y A d, o cGe CI p.ry Z�wP. 0 G"O '"" m a�Uw y c�+>co Ergci0 � o o 4 C —;9 d acii-0 4m O r''o' ro o El U 4 q N °z, °2 �y '"er.8 Cam' O Z m d z coi o o *0'A+ o•[.E 83�r"�,3.°'.,y q 8y a q \\\1111�1!i;�„ -0 E-, epoaAdoF� ,- .d0 �r3aa�0 03 C0o��"A��U \\' � ' '1'• i ' O 3 c� q ^ ° o aL ,taifil ar m.� coirU 0 a' m ° 4."-'4 cE z, �"— coi G o 'E aa)G,> N�oiz c"i °� �yao.+ q a�i:-0_o• U.,. qp {, , qo cdD VACggNo Voaa)i > �^, o ? p cU ��UAUF_,0C7g 84.1 .4c21:4-,4v,U wUa , fir ; ,, <it/ {. -'-1. /'•`ii - I) on G.I > a°i E aL o 7 al X c CL bU G C b C .� w w a) to a) bU ° O G G a) cn bey cal -7 L va .S z w o H - L a) -p z ° LL L v) ct � "° L O " c o 3H o -n Q a) i- b-0 'EL T Q C 0- 0. 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CL., c� 'U p cC �, C • Lcc o b E Q, n •, a) c G i w w .9. i o O c ,,:, a) L O >, w A ►�i 3 al ? v ° Z b o a, o, G a v a) o 11i! 1 31 t IP O E 1 �-+ G •• > y al '� >, O � C O .L E `� UO3 N cc N - E0o >, p = > o cU ` ) bo Q Z L n -- ') o A Z c cc> Z o. -cc c c o. a) c — a) t c ° i o a _ a .a cd '. o uUH2 -a C Ho I .� . 7c E- ZQ' :; Amends ORD Nos: 3719, 4629, 4766, 4848, 4908 CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON ORDINANCE NO. 5 062 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, AMENDING CHAPTER 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT; CHAPTER 4, CITY-WIDE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS; AND CHAPTER 11, DEFINITIONS; OF TITLE IV (DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS) OF ORDINANCE NO. 4260 ENTITLED "CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON" REGARDING REAL ESTATE SIGNS. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. 4-1-140.M.3 of Chapter 1,Administration and Enforcement, of Title IV (Development Regulations)of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington"is hereby amended to read as follows: 3. TEMPORARY AND Fee Amount PORTABLE SIGNS: Real Estate Directional Signs, $50.00 per sign,permit valid pursuant to RMC 4-4-100J2 for a twelve(12) month period Grand Opening Event Signs, $25.00 per site,per opening pursuant to RMC 4-4- 100J6d(1) Event Signs,pursuant to $15.00 per type of sign RMC 4-4-100J6d(2) and(3) identified in RMC 4-4- 100J6b,per promotion A-Frame Signs,pursuant to $100.00 for the first sign and RMC 4-4-100J5 $50.00 for each additional sign, for a 12-month period Commercial Property Real $50 per sign, permit valid for Estate Banner a 12-month period Decorative Flags $50 per entrance,permit valid until flag(s)removed 1 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 SECTION II. Section 4-4-100.B.6.o of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington" is hereby amended to read as follows: o. Real Estate Signs: Open House signs as described in Subsection J.2.B.i and Free Standing real estate signs as described in Subjection J.2.0 SECTION III. A new Section 4-4-100.B.6.h, of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington" is hereby added, to read as follows, with the remaining subsections re-lettered accordingly: h. Garage Sale Signs: See RMC 4-4-100.J.3 SECTION IV. Sections 4-4-100.C.9 and C.10, of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards,of Title IV(Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington"are hereby amended to read as follows: 9. Signs on Public Right-of-Way: Signs on public right-of-way other than temporary and portable signs allowed by subsection J,of this Section; and subsections B.6.b, City Sponsored Signs;B.6.c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; B.6.n, Public Service Signs;B.6.p, Safety Information Signs; and I, Signs on Public Right-of-Way, of this Section. 10. Off-Premises Signs: Except temporary and portable signs allowed by subsection J of this Section; City sponsored signs and public service signs per subsections B.6.b, City 2 �..r ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 Sponsored Signs;B.6.c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; and B.6.n,Public Service Signs, of this Section. SECTION V. A new Section, 4-4-100.C.16,of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations)of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington"is hereby added,to read as follows: 16. Real Estate Signs: a. Any off-premise real estate sign, except open house and real estate directional signs. b. In no case, shall any real estate sign be less than four(4) square feet, except for open house signs. c. Any off-premise real estate sign located at the same intersection corner, or location as an approved Public Service Sign or Public Art. d. Any real estate sign closer than four(4)feet to the edge of a public roadway. e. Any real estate sign placed in a manner as to constitute a public safety hazard as determined by the Development Services Division. SECTION VI. Section 4-4-100.E.4.a. of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington"is hereby amended to read as follows: a. Churches,Apartments and Subdivisions: Churches, apartment buildings, subdivision developments and similar occupancies located in residential and mixed-use zones may have two 3 *kW *4160 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 (2)on-premises identifying signs of not over thirty-two (32) square feet in area on one face. The signs may be illuminated but not animated, shall be for location identification only and shall display no copy, symbol or device other than that in keeping with the development. Freestanding signs shall be not higher than six feet (6')above any established grade and shall be no closer than ten feet(10')to any street right-of-way or five feet(5')to any side property line. i. Decorative Flags: Apartment buildings, residential subdivision developments and similar occupancies located in residential and mixed-use zones may also display decorative flags in accordance with the following requirements: (a) Permit Requirements: Permit Required. (b) Sign Type: A lightweight fabric or similar material, supported by a vertical or horizontal staff. (c) Allowed Uses: Multi-family residential complexes and subdivisions of 10 or more units or lots. (d) Maximum Size: Each flag shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet. (e) Maximum Height: Flags, including the supports, shall not exceed the height limitations for the zone in which it is located. (I) Sign/Pole Location: Only permissible when located within one hundred (100) feet of the entrance to a subdivision or a multi-family development. The sign/pole shall be located on the development premises and shall be setback a minimum of one-foot from the property line for each foot in height. SECTION VII. Sections 4-4-100.E.4.c and d of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards,of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled 4 r..r ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington" are hereby deleted and the remaining subsections re-lettered accordingly. SECTION VIII. Section 4-4-100.J.2 and 3 of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards,of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington"are hereby amended to read as follows: 2. Real Estate Signs: a. Prohibited Real Estate Signs: i. See RMC 4-4-100.C.16 ii. No balloons or other attention-attracting devices may be attached to real estate signs. b. Off-Premise Real Estate Signs: i. Open House Signs (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: In no case shall an open house sign be displayed prior to dawn or after dusk. A seller or their representative shall be present at the property for sale, rent or lease, while the open house sign is being displayed. (c) Allowed Use: For directing potential customers to the site of real estate that is for sale, rent,or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A." The sign text must include the words"open,""for sale," "for rent,"or"for lease." 5 tailO ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 (e) Maximum Size: 32 inches wide by 36 inches high per each face of the sign. (f) Sign Location: Signs may be placed no closer than 4 feet to the edge of a public roadway,provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic and that they are not located on trees, foliage,utility poles, regulatory signs, directional signs,or informational signs, (g) Maximum Number: Six(6) off-premises signs per property for sale,rent or lease. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed 10 feet from finished grade. ii. Real Estate Directional Signs(Outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100.H.3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve(12) months. (c) Allowed Use: The freestanding real estate sign shall only be allowed during the original rental, lease up or sale of a development located within the corporate limits of the City of Renton containing 10 or more dwelling units,until 100%of the dwelling units have been rented, leased or sold once; and thereafter, only if 75%or less of the total number of dwelling units in the development are rented, leased or sold. The Development Services Division may also approve these signs for use by multi-family complexes that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten(10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. 6 *" ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 • (d) Allowable Sign Type: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign. (e) Maximum Size: Twelve (12) square feet on one face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2)miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four(4) feet to the edge of a public roadway,provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. If the installation of the sign causes damages to utilities and/or landscaping, the permit holder shall be responsible for all repairs and/or restoration within 30 days of notification by the City. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2)real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one sign per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional signs shall be placed no closer than five hundred(500)feet to any other real estate directional sign and no closer than 100 feet to an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten(10) feet from finished grade. iii. Real Estate Directional Signs(Within the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100.H.3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve (12) months. 7 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 (c) Allowed Use: The freestanding real estate sign shall only be allowed during the original rental, lease up or sale of a development located within the corporate limits of the City of Renton containing 10 or more dwelling units until 100% of the dwelling units have been rented, leased or sold once; and thereafter,only if 75% or less of the total number of dwelling units in the development are rented, leased or sold. The Development Services Division may also approve these signs for use by multi-family developments that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten(10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. (d) Allowable Sign Type: Any non-illuminated freestanding sign and A-frame signs. (e) Maximum Size: thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall(32 inches by 36 inches)per face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2)miles(driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four(4) feet to the edge of a public roadway,provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. If the installation of the sign causes damages to utilities and/or landscaping,the permit holder shall be responsible for all repairs and/or restoration within 30 days of notification by the City. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2)real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one sign per development shall be allowed at each intersection. 8 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional signs shall be placed no closer than one-hundred(100)feet to any other real estate directional sign and fifty(50) feet from an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten(10)feet from finished grade. c. On Premises Real Estate Signs i. Freestanding Real Estate Sign (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: The maximum display period is for the period of time the property is for sale, rent or lease. For multi-family complexes of five (5) or more dwelling units and on a lot greater than 35,000 square feet, a 32 square foot or 6 square foot freestanding real estate sign shall be allowed during the original rental, lease up or sale of the development until 100% of the dwelling units have been rented, leased or sold once;and thereafter,only if 75%or less of the total number of dwelling units in the development are rented, leased or sold. A six square foot sign is permitted at all times regardless of vacancy status,number of units, or lot size,unless a 32 square foot sign is being utilized. (c) Allowed Use: For real estate that is for sale,rent or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign indicating that the property,which the sign is located on is for sale,rent or lease. (e) Maximum Size: 1. For lots thirty-five thousand(35,000) square feet or less in area: Six(6) square feet in area per face; or 9 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 2. For lots greater than thirty-five (35,000) square feet in area: Thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face. However, a six(6) square foot sign cannot be used concurrently with a 32 square foot sign. (f) Sign Location: These signs must be located on the premise that is for sale,rent or lease. These signs may be placed no closer than four(4)feet to the edge of a public roadway,provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number: One (1) sign per street frontage. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten(10) feet from fmished grade. ii. Commercial Real Estate Banner Signs: (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve(12) months. (c) Allowed Use: For sale rent, or lease of commercial property. Real Estate Banners shall not be utilized by residential development. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material. The sign must indicate "For Sale, Rent, or Lease." (e) Maximum Size: Fifty(50) square feet. (f) Sign Location: Only permissible when mounted to a building that is for sale, rent, or lease. (g) Maximum Number: One (1)per street frontage. 3. Garage Sale Signs: 10 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 a. Permit Requirements: No permit required. b. Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twenty-four(24)hours prior to the start of the sale and a maximum of twenty-four(24)hours after the sale is completed. c. Allowed Uses: For directing potential customers to the garage sale site. d. Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign or an A-frame sign. e. Maximum Size: Thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32"x 36" inches). f. Sign Location: Signs may be placed no closer than four(4)feet to the edge of a public roadway,provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The signs shall not be attached to utility poles, traffic controlling devises or any other public structure. g. Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten(10) feet from finished grade. SECTION IX. Section 4-4-100.J.6.a,of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington"is hereby amended to read as follows: a. Applicability: Commercial, industrial, residential, public, and quasi-public uses and mixed-use developments (commercial combined with multi-family residential)may display event signage in compliance with the following regulations. These regulations apply to use of signs for grand opening events or for periodic special events. This subsection does not apply to those signs and displays exempt per RMC 4-4-100.B.6,Exemptions from Permit Requirements. 11 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 62 SECTION X. A new Section, 4-4-100.U,of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards,of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington" is hereby added,to read as follows: U. Violations of this Chapter and Penalties: Penalties for any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be in accord with Chapter 1-3-2 RMC. SECTION XI. Section 4-11-190, Definitions S, of Chapter 11, Definitions, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled"Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton, Washington" is hereby amended by adding the following definition,to read as follows: SIGN, REAL ESTATE:A sign advertising and/or directing individuals to the sale, rent or lease of property. A. Commercial Real Estate Banner Sign: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a building by any means, and indicating that the property is for sale, rent,or lease. National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. B. Decorative Real Estate Flag: A portion of lightweight fabric or similar material, supported by a vertical or horizontal staff, intended to flutter in the wind, and is used to attract attention to any type of residential development for sale,rent,or lease. National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 12 ORDINANCE NO. 5 0 6 2 C. Freestanding Real Estate Signs: Any type of non-illuminated freestanding sign, indicating that the property on which it is located, is for sale, rent, or lease. This sign type includes yardarm or ground signs. D. Open House Sign: A non-illuminated type of portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A,"no larger than 32 inches wide by 36 inches high per each sign face. The sign text for an Open House Sign contains the phrase: "open" or"for sale"or"for rent"or"for lease." E. Real Estate Directional Sign: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign that provides direction to property(ies) for sale, rent,or lease. Within the City Center Sign Regulation Boundaries(as shown in RMC 4-4-100.H.3)real estate directional signs may also include portable signs comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter «A„ SECTION XII. This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage, approval, and 30 days after publication. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 26th day of January , 2004. GUa1 t. t Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 26th day of January , 2004. ttik212-&-L- Kathy K-olker-Wheeler,Mayor 13 ORDINANCE NO. 5062 Appr d as to form: Lawrence J. Warm ity Attorney Date of Publication: 01/30/2004 (summary) ORD.1 0 86:12/2/03:ma 14 January 26,2004 `" Renton City Council Minutes `""� Page 28 Utilities Committee Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report recommending Utility: East Valley Lift concurrence with the Planning/Building/Public Works Department Station Replacement Project recommendation that the City Council increase the project budget authority for Budget the East Valley Lift Station Replacement Project from$747,000 to$947,000. The increased budget authority is to cover construction related issues that have caused the project to go above budget. The additional budget authority would be created through a transfer from the Wastewater Sewer Replacement Account (421.000400.018.5960.0035.045300) as part of the 2004 carry forward ordinance. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Public Safety Committee Public Safety Committee Chair Law presented a report pertaining to the request Police: Street Racing of Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer for Seattle-King County Public Health Department,who asked local jurisdictions to review their existing street racing ordinances. The Committee, in conjunction with the Police Department, reviewed the City of Renton's ordinances and procedures regarding street racing. The Committee concurred in the recommendation of staff to make no changes in the ordinances and procedures at this time.* Councilman Law added that Renton has a zero tolerance policy regarding street racing that is aggressively enforced. Additionally, he noted that penalties for this type of activity are fairly severe, and the Police Department works closely with affected local businesses. *MOVED BY LAW, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Planning & Development Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report Committee regarding the 2004 King County Comprehensive Plan amendments. The King County: 2004 Committee met on January 8 and 22 to review proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan King County Comprehensive Plan. The Committee concurred with the staff Amendments recommendations and comments presented in a letter dated January 22, and recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to send a letter to King County Executive Ron Sims outlining these concerns. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. ORDINANCES AND The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: RESOLUTIONS Resolution#3682 A resolution was read approving the Liberty Ridge Phase 6 Final Plat; 34 acres Plat: Liberty Ridge Phase 6, located on Index Ave. SE, on the east side of Edmonds Ave. NE and NE 3rd Index Ave NE, FP-03-112 and 4th Streets (FP-03-112). MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. The following ordinance was presented for second and final reading and adoption: Ordinance#5062 An ordinance was read amending Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement; Development Services: Real Chapter 4,Citywide Property Development Standards; and Chapter 11, Estate Sign Code Amendments Definitions; of Title IV (Development Regulations) of City Code regarding real 7 ft estate signs.* Councilwoman Briere noted that some minor changes were made to the ordinance after its first reading on December 15, 2003, due to concerns expressed by the real estate rental housing community. January 26,2004 +..r Renton City Council Minutes Nor Page 29 *MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Councilman Corman commented on the different types of sign technologies. He pointed out that the technology is constantly changing,and the City's sign code needs periodic modification to keep up with the changes. NEW BUSINESS MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY LAW, COUNCIL MAKE Council: Meeting Cancellation PRESIDENTS'DAY A PERMANENT COUNCIL HOLIDAY. CARRIED. (Permanent), Presidents Day Public Works: Waterline ROW Councilman Persson noted the presence of hanging tree limbs, dumped Clean-Up mattresses, and misplaced ecology blocks on the waterline right-of-way, between Philip Arnold Park and Puget Dr., and requested attention to the matter. Community Services: Philip Councilman Persson requested that the gravel parking area at the entrance area Arnold Park Entry Way to Philip Arnold Park be graded. Grading School District: Community Reporting on Renton School District activities, Councilwoman Nelson stated Helpers that a new group has been formed within Talbot Hill Elementary School's MicroSociety Program called Community Helpers. She explained that the group is learning about the rewards of volunteerism, and undertakes activities such as collecting clothes and money for the Renton Clothes Bank, and making cards for the soldiers serving in Iraq and for Iraqi children. Airport: Advisory Committee Councilwoman Palmer announced that an Airport Advisory Committee meeting Meeting will be held on February 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. AUDIENCE COMMENT Diane Paholke,325 Edmonds Ave. SE, Renton, 98056, stated that she lives in Citizen Comment: Paholke - the Liberty Ridge Subdivision and reported on the ongoing neighborhood safety Edmonds Ave SE/SE 2nd P1 concerns regarding vehicles that speed through the intersection of Edmonds Intersection Safety Concerns Ave. SE and SE 2nd Pl. She stated that she addressed Council last year on this matter, and although she was told stop signs could not be posted, the City did post a four-way cross warning sign and used the Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer. Ms. Paholke pointed out that those speed-reducing efforts only worked for six weeks, and requested that the City investigate other solutions. MOVED BY PALMER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THIS ITEM TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Community Services: On another matter,Ms. Paholke praised the Renton Community Center's sports Community Center Sports program, and asked Mayor Keolker-Wheeler to convey her compliments to the Program Recreation Division staff. Transportation: Maple Valley MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PALMER, COUNCIL REFER Hwy/SE 11th St,Traffic MAPLE VALLEY HWY. AND SE 11TH ST. NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC Safety Concerns SAFETY ISSUES TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Citizen Comment: Simpson - Jim Simpson, 109 John St., Apt. 109,Seattle, 98109, announced that the group Citizens for King County Citizens for King County Monorail is holding a public monorail forum at Monorail Meeting Fairwood Library on January 31, at 1:00 p.m. January 12,2004 v..� Renton City Council Minutes "oar Page 17 Hwy.Widening Project. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY CLAWSON,COUNCIL REFER THIS LETTER TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. CARRIED. Utilities Committee Utilities Committee Chair Clawson presented a report regarding the requests by Utility: Sewer Service Joe Pruss,Jacki Stuart Pruss, and Gary Hartnett for connection to Renton sewer Connection Request for service for three properties located outside the City limits near the intersection Properties Outside City Limits of SE 124th St. and 155th Ave. SE. After reviewing the application for service (Pruss et al) and determining that the properties are to be developed by the same builder, the Committee recommended that Council approve sewer service to only one of the three lots as submitted.* Councilman Clawson explained that it is City policy to allow sewer hook-up for single-owner lots located adjacent to City boundaries. In this case, the three properties are to be developed by the same builder. *MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE,COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Council President Persson requested that the Administration investigate the Citizen Comment: O'Halloran- complaint e-mailed by Mike and Valerie O'Halloran,4420 SE 4th St.,Renton, Fireworks, Illegal Use 98059, regarding a neighbor setting off fireworks at 3:30 a.m. Utility: East Valley Lift MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL REFER THE Station Replacement Project EAST VALLEY LIFT STATION REPLACEMENT PROJECT ADDITIONAL Budget BUDGET AUTHORITY TO THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Development Services:�R�e j Councilwoman Briere announced that the second reading of the ordinance Estate Sign Code Amendments regarding the real estate sign code amendments will be postponed again until 1/26/2004. EXECUTIVE SESSION MOVED BY PERSSON,SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL RECESS AND ADJOURNMENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES TO DISCUSS LITIGATION WITH NO OFFICIAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND THAT THE COUNCIL MEETING BE ADJOURNED WHEN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS ADJOURNED. CARRIED. Time: 8:28 p.m. Executive session was conducted. There was no action taken. The executive session and the Council meeting adjourned at 8;51 p.m. BONNIE L WALTON, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann January 12, 2004 December 22,2003 `""' Renton City Council Minutes Page 482 Resolution#3681 A resolution was read authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an Utility: Soos Creek Water& interlocal agreement with the Soos Creek Water and Sewer District to modify Sewer Boundary Agreement the interlocal agreements between the City and Soos Creek Water and Sewer Addendum District related to the establishment of service boundaries. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption: Ordinance#5060 An ordinance was read adopting the 2003 amendments to the zoning Zoning: 2003 Annual Update classifications of properties located within the City of Renton. MOVED BY of Zoning Book&Wall Map BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance #5061 An ordinance was read amending Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement, Planning: Multi-Family of Title IV(Development Regulations)of City Code to establish a property tax Property Tax Exemption exemption incentive for the development of multi-family housing in targeted areas. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Development Services: Real Councilwoman Briere explained that due to concerns from the property rental Estate Sign Code Amendments community, second reading of the ordinance regarding the real estate sign code -714 amendments will be postponed until 1/12/2004. NEW BUSINESS MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL SET A Council: Special Meeting, SPECIAL MEETING ON 1/05/2004 AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF Swearing-In of Elected SWEARING-IN THE NEW ELECTED OFHCIALS. CARRIED. Officials Council: Outgoing Describing how overwhelmed he was as a newly elected Councilmember in Councilmember Comments 1996, Councilman Parker indicated that he soon understood the government (Parker) process and learned to work within it. He stated that the job has been challenging and rewarding, and expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve his community in this way. Councilman Parker commended City of Renton staff, Administration, and fellow Councilmembers for working very hard to do their best for the community. Additionally,he thanked his wife for all of her support. Councilmembers expressed their appreciation to Mayor Tanner and Councilman Parker for their many years of service to the Renton community. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY NELSON,COUNCIL ADJOURN. CARRIED. Time: 8:44 p.m. BONNIE I.WALTON, City Clerk Recorder: Michele Neumann December 22, 2003 December 15,2003 Renton City Council Minutes �..✓ Page 471 Zoning: 2003 Annual Update An ordinance was read adopting the 2003 amendments to the zoning of Zoning Book&Wall Map classifications of properties located within the City of Renton. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/22/2003. CARRIED. Planning: Multi-Family An ordinance was read amending Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement, Property Tax Exemption of Title IV (Development Regulations)of City Code to establish a property tax exemption incentive for the development of multi-family housing in targeted areas. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/22/2003. CARRIED. Development Services: Real An ordinance was read amending Chapter 1, Administration and Enforcement; Estate Sign Code Amendments Chapter 4, Citywide Property Development Standards; and Chapter 11, Definitions; of Title IV(Development Regulations)of City Code regarding real estate signs. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/22/2003. CARRIED. Planning: Downtown Core An ordinance was read amending Section 4-4-080, of Chapter 4, Citywide Off-Street Parking Property Development Standards, of Title IV(Development Regulations) of Requirements City Code by creating parking standards for development in the downtown core. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/22/2003. CARRIED. The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption: Ordinance#5049 An ordinance was read providing for the 2003 year-end Budget adjustments in Budget: 2003 Year-End the total amount of$9,176,407. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY Adjustments CORMAN, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#5050 An ordinance was read adopting the annual City of Renton Budget for the year Budget: 2004 Annual City of 2004 in the total amount of$146,500,500. MOVED BY PARKER, Renton SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#5051 An ordinance was read increasing the 2004 athletic field light fees. MOVED Community Services: Athletic BY PARKER, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE Field Light Fees ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#5052 An ordinance was read increasing the 2004 boat launch fees at Gene Coulon Community Services: Gene Memorial Beach Park. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY NELSON, Coulon Park Boat Launch Fees COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#5053 An ordinance was read amending Chapter 5-1, Fee Schedule, of Title V Community Services: Henry (Finance and Business Regulations)of City Code by setting the admission fees Moses Aquatic Center Fees for the Henry Moses Aquatic Center. MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. November 24,2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 430 The Committee recommended referring the 2904 Maple Valley Hwy. land use map amendment for consideration during the 2004 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Development Services: Real Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report Estate Sign Code Amendments regarding temporary signs obscuring neighborhood signs. The Committee 11-* recommended concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve revised real estate and garage sale sign standards to address sign types,allowed locations, and length of permits in order to make City Code more compatible with current practices, easier to use, and more enforceable. The Committee further recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be prepared and presented for first reading. MOVED BY BRIERE, SECONDED BY CLAWSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation (Aviation) Transportation(Aviation)Committee Chair Persson presented a report Committee recommending concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve funds in the Airport: Building Utility amount of$100,000 to convert Airport buildings from the existing Boeing- Conversion,W&H Pacific owned power system to City-owned utilities. The Committee further recommended that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the contract with W&H Pacific, Inc. in the amount of$79,794.76 for this conversion, and authorize that the additional$20,205.24 be used to cover City staff costs and contingencies. MOVED BY PERSSON, SECONDED BY NELSON, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Transportation: Smithers Ave Transportation (Aviation) Committee Chair Persson presented a report S Traffic Concerns regarding the Smithers Ave. S. traffic concerns. Smithers Ave. S. is a narrow residential street, without sidewalks that carries an average traffic volume of 500 to 600 vehicles per day. Many of these trips occur during the hours of 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., and again between the hours of 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. when Talbot Hill Elementary School is in session. To address the safety and traffic concerns of the neighborhood abutting Smithers Ave. S.,the City has prohibited left turns for eastbound vehicles from S. 23rd St. to Smithers Ave. S. during the above stated hours. In addition, to help accommodate the school traffic, S. 23rd St. was rechannelized to include a westbound right turn only lane for the Talbot Rd. S. approach. Although these measures have been moderately successful, there still remains the neighborhood concern of speeding traffic and pedestrian safety. To address these concerns, the Committee recommended Council direct the Administration to implement the following: 1. Prohibit left turns at S. 21st St. and Smithers Ave. S. with the use of signing and traffic delineators; 2. Remove the existing turning restrictions at S. 23rd St. and Smithers Ave. S.; 3. Address drainage and pedestrian concerns,add a sidewalk on the east side of the street, and overlay the street in 2004; and Ar"" ED BY CiTV COUNCIL, Date //- 24/aoo3 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE REPORT November 24,2003 Temporary Signs Obscuring Neighborhood Signs-Real Estate Signs (Referred December 9,2002) The Planning and Development Committee recommends concurrence in the staff recommendation to approve revised real estate and garage sale sign standards to address sign types, allowed locations, and length of permits, in order to make City Code more compatible with current practices, easier to use, and more enforceable. The Committee further recommends that an ordinance regarding this matter be prepared and presented for first reading. Terri Brier , Chair Dan Clawson, ce Chair King Parker,Member cc: Gregg Zimmerman Neil Watts Jason Jordan RealEstateSignOrd.rpt\ Rev 01/02 bh • 0- cifzcito3 Frew.- 4.teesaL- u0ho 1Z11O3I To - e ? --Dev-£f o{vym-1- ex,vvvvux4L. etill€"1„ Teti Zst IV / n CITY OF RENTON fic0rtSEP 3 0 2003 RECEIVED CITY CLERKS OFFICE The Importance of Real Estate Signs for Buyers, Sellers and Civil Rights/Federal Fair Housing Todd Woosley Eastside &NE Cities Housing Specialist todd@woosleyproperties.com 425-455-5730 I. Position Paper on the Importance of Real Estate Signs I II. REALTORS® Self-Policing Policy 9 KING COUNTY ASSOCIATION REALTORS® iSEATT - ht 12015 115th Ave.N.E., Suite 195,Kirkland,Washington 98034 (425) 820-3277 (Office) • 1-800-540-3277 (Washington State) • (425) 820-3346 (Fax) REALTOR® Email:skcar@nwrealtor.com •uri:http://www.nwrealtor.com A White Paper Prepared For the 1999 Housing Issues Briefing By The Seattle-King County Association of Realtors Regarding Off-Site Open House Signs Why Real Estate Off-Premises Open House A-Board Signs Are Critical A family's home is not like stocks and bonds. Families don't wake up one morning, see that "the market is up" and decide to sell the roof that is over their head. Instead, it is usually a significant change in a family's personal circumstances that prompts a sale. What kinds of changes may prompt the purchase of a home, or the sale of a house? A family is blessed by the birth of new children and needs a larger home. It may be a marriage. Or a divorce. There may have been a death in the family. It might be a job promotion. A job transfer. Or it might be the result of getting laid-off at work. Often, the need to sell is immediate, or even urgent. Real Estate Signs Are Critically Important For Sellers Safely-placed,portable, off-premises A-Board Open House residential real estate directional signs are critical for the families we serve who need to sell. The evidence from the Puget Sound Region is clear: families who need to sell, but who do not have access to these off-site signs,experience significantly longer marketing times. For example, the City of Mukilteo recently loosened its restrictions on real estate off-site Open house signs after it learned that the its restrictive policy had increased marketing times by 22% compared to Everett, even though the cities share a significant common border. Des Moines, Issaquah and Redmond have recently considered restricting Open house A-Board signs but chose not to do so once they took a close look at the negative consequences for sellers and buyers. Seattle, Woodinville and Issaquah have each taken actions recently to be more supportive of the ability of sellers to use off-site real estate open house signs. For a family trying to sell a home,the longer Time on Market can have significant financial consequences. If a family must carry multiple mortgage payments(or more likely both a mortgage payment and a rental payment) while they wait for their home to sell, it can be a real and substantial financial hardship on the family. If the financial hardship causes the family to be unable to make multiple housing payments in a timely manner,the resulting blemishes on their credit report may make it very difficult for them to qualify for a new home loan. Alternatively, if REALTOR-is a registered mark of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Tax Benefits of Housing The return on housing is further leveraged with unique tax benefits that apply only to housing. Foremost among these is the tax deductibility of mortgage interest payments and property taxes. For example,a family making $40,000 annual income with a mortgage of$120,000 would save$2,969 in Federal taxes during their first year of ownership. And when that family decides to sell the home, they will also reap tax benefits. Recent changes in the tax code that exclude profits of up to $500,000 on the sale of a principal residence from capital gains taxation also favor the investment in housing over other alternatives. Social Returns to Housing Many benefits of homeownership are intangible—among these are the positive impact of homeownership on children of homeowners and on neighborhoods and communities. Several researchers have concluded that, all else being equal, homeownership has a positive impact on children within an owner-household. The benefits include an increased educational attainment, a lower teen-age pregnancy rate, and high lifetime annual income for those raised in an owned home. While the household, and the children in particular, reap the bulk of these benefits, society also benefits in several ways: an educated work force and reduction in assistance payments results from increases in employment and decreases in out-of-wedlock births. Several researchers have also found that owners tend to be more involved in their communities and local governments than renters. For instance, owners participate in a greater number of non-professional organizations,have higher church attendance, and higher voter participation. While it is hard to put a dollar value on something like church attendance, it is clear that these factors generally make a neighborhood a more pleasant place to live. In addition to high civic participation, owners also tend to remain in their homes longer,adding stability and familiarity to the neighborhood, and also tend to spend more time and money maintaining their residence. In addition to the many direct impacts that housing has on the economy, such as job creation and increased domestic product,housing also benefits society in many ways that are difficult to measure, yet are just as important as the straightforward economic returns from housing. Among these is the positive impact that homeowning has on the children of homeowners, the positive effect on the communities in which homeowners dwell, and the increased ability to participate in the economy that accompanies homeownership. Reprinted from Real Estate Outlook: Research Features. ©National Association of REALTORSO Used with permission. For subscription information to the Real Estate Outlook please call 1-$00-874-6500. ram; they lack the resources to even attempt to make multiple payments they may not be able to move at all, despite what may be an urgent need to do so. It's worth remembering that real estate markets go up, and come down. When the current strong market begins to cool (and eventually it will)the effect of such differences in the amount of time a home is on the market become even more onerous. Off-premises Open House directional signs are also important for Sellers who want to sell their own property without a Realtor. Candidly,there is a financial incentive for our industry to support the elimination of all open house signs in the right-of-way. Doing so would eliminate the most effective marketing tool available to those families who want to sell For Sale By Owner, or FSBO(pronounced "fizz-bow"). How important are these signs for FSBO sellers? We suspect that they are at least as important to FSBO sellers as they are to Realtors: The Real Estate Insider Report indicated that 75%of their survey respondents(real estate agents) identified signs as their-most effective sales technique. Restricting a FSBO's opportunity to use these signs to direct people to their home that is for sale would be a significant step in the direction of giving Realtors a virtual monopoly on selling homes. It would help to ensure sellers would have fewer,if any, effective alternatives to engaging the services of a Realtor. But market times would be longer for sellers, and finding a home would be much more difficult for buyers. As we explain below, it would also be inconsistent with the objectives of the 1988 Federal Fair Housing Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1988. Realtors might make more money,but that doesn't make it good public policy. Real Estate Signs Are Also Increasingly Important for Buyers National research studies from 1991 demonstrate that 42%of all buyers used signs in locating the home they purchased. Even more important,however, 17%of all of the buyers found the home they purchased using ONLY the signs. Those are national figures. The local data is also compelling. John L. Scott Real Estate,Inc. (the second largest residential brokerage firm in Washington State and one of the largest firms in the nation) engaged the services of Hebert Research(a well-known and highly regarded research company located in Bellevue)to analyze the role of signs in the buying process. The Hebert Company's research revealed the following: In Western Washington, 50.5%of the buyers said that they found out about the open houses they visited using the real estate signs (as opposed to using newspapers, their agent, brochures, weekly reports, referral by friends or family, television, or other means). It may also be worth noting that respondents who "...were 46-50 years old were significantly more likely to have found out about open houses by seeing signs when driving around.." Bill.Hume,Vice President of John L. Scott's New Solutions Group,recently summarized the results of research conducted by the Company regarding two new home communities which the firm-represents. The first is Cherrywood Lane at The Orchards(Renton),and the second is Silverleaf(Bellevue, on Cougar Mountain). At Cherrywood,new single family homes range from approximately$180,000 to$230,000. Nineteen of the homes have been sold to buyers who used a real estate agent from outside the company. Of those 19 homes, 11 (or 57%)were to buyers who did not come to the site the first time with an agent accompanying them. At Silverleaf.new single family homes range from approximately$520,000 to $630,000. Twelve of the homes have been sold to buyers who used a real estate agent from outside the company Of those 12•homes;10 (or 83%).wer-e to buyers=who did not come tothe site-the-first ..: time with an agent accompanying them. Based on his experience of more than 20 years selling new homes,Mr. Hume estimates that: "...fewer than half of the customers who have outside agents or buyer's agents come to the community the first time with their agent. In fact, it's almost certainly under 30%." Many buyers use the off-premises directional signs to search independently for a home, and then contact a Realtor to represent them only after they have identified a property in which they are interested. The off-premise signs that direct them to the properties play a critical function in this dynamic. Finally, as it relates to buyers,there is one other group that makes extensive use of the signs: First Time Buyers. Buying their first home is a big, big, step for many families. This is especially true when the average sales price in King County is now well over$200,000. These kinds of prices can scare the daylights out of First Time Buyers. Not surprisingly, many First Time Buyers prefer to tip-toe gently into the raging torrent of our current real estate market. By using the off-premise si•ns to locate homes that are for sale(and which may be tucked away in a cul-d-sac or on a dead end road far from any arterial street),they can attempt to get a sense of the market at their own pace,instead of being in the car with a Realtor. In doing so they are able to avoid the potential to feel pressured by real estate agents who understand that while they are looking,home prices may continue to rise. y_- Real Estate Signage Plays a Critical Role in Fair Housing The importance that neighborhoods be accessible is undeniable. This principle is reflected in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 as Amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. It is the simple and morally correct position that our communities should be open to all people. • In December of 1988,the Federal Trade Commission issued a report entitled The Residential Real Estate Brokerage Industry. That FTC report,which has been cited with approval by the United States Supreme Court [see: Ladue(1994)J,points out the important contribution of real estate signs in opening communities to people in a way that is not discriminatory. The basis for the FTC's conclusion is obvious:Real estate signs are not only an important, inexpensive and effective means of marketing real estate,they are also discrimination proof. A real estate sign invites any person-regardless of race, creed, color, sex or national origin - to locate and consider the purchase or rental of the property that is available if they can afford it. The real estate signs make it impossible for any real estate broker, landlord, owner or organization to deny that the property.is available,and,hence, make discrimination substantially impossible. Safely-place temporary Open House A-Board signs provide an important affirmative message about where, and how,to find the property that is available. As demonstrated above,that proposition clearly born out by the available data. Cities should preserve the existing right of sellers and Realtors to use off-site Open House signs, because doing so facilitates achievement of the objectives of the Federal Fair Housing Act. Consistency in Off-premises Real Estate Signage Regulations Is Important For the Real Estate Industry • The majority (if not most)of cities in King County allow placement of temporary off-site Open House A-Board directional signs in,or on the periphery of, the right-of-way with the following kinds of restrictions: • They may not be placed on trees • They mayy not be placed on foliage • They may not be placed on utility poles • They may not be placed on regulatory signs • They may not be placed on directional signs • They may not be placed on informational signs • They must be outside of vehicular lanes • They must be outside of bicycle lanes • They must be outside of pedestrian sidewalks and walkways • They must be outside of median strips -5 • The must not block views • The may not block driveway or curb cuts • They may only be in place between dawn and dusk, and must be picked up at the end of each day • They may not exceed six square feet per side in area and 36 inches in height • They may;not be used unless the (real estate) agent or seller is physically present at the property that is for sale or rent. These are all reasonable restrictions we can live with, and which the cities have a demonstrated ability to live with. They strike a reasonable balance between the need of families to get their homes sold, or to find a new home, and the cities' need for public safety. It is an approach that has worked pretty well. We recommend and support such an approach. As an industry,we believe that in recommending and supporting such an approach,we have a. moral responsibility to try to meet cities at least halfway, and hopefully we can do even better than that. Part-of our ability to do'so means that our Association must reco ►i7e that we have an industry with.significant turnover. It's been said that: About a third of the people licensed by the state are on their way into, or are recent additions to, our industry; approximately an additional one third are solidly established in the business; and the remaining one third are on their way out of the industry. This Rule of Thumb is probably not too far from the mark. The Multiple Listing Service statistics indicate that over time,members average about.3 (note: that's point three) transactions per month. In other words, about one transaction every three months. The commission on that one transaction every three months is usually divided evenly between the listing and selling brokerages. Typically,the agent receives one half of that apportioned amount, or 25%of the total commission. With,for example, a 6%commission on a 1998 average listing price in the Southend(Covington,Kent,Maple Valley, Enumclaw,Black Diamond, Auburn&Federal Way)of$219,403,the agent receives about$3,291 every three months. That's$1,097 per month -before B&O taxes, E&O insurance, cell phone and pager expense, car expense, laptop computers,health insurance, mandatory continuing education expenses, MLS dues, Realtor dues and personalized marketing expenses. Obviously, some are doing much better than average,but many are not doing that well and are forced by economic necessity to move on. Real Estate is a very tough industry with high turnover. 41111111 • • *411110 One of the ways real estate agents are forced to respond to these economic realities is to "cover more ground" and be extremely flexible with regard to how far they will travel for work. As a result, in the course of a single year an individual agent may work(list homes) in multiple jurisdictions ranging from Marysville or Snohomish on the North,to Tacoma on the South. They may also work between Snoqualmie on the East,and Des Moines or Normandy.Park on the West. Consistency in.the sign code standards becomes very important in facilitating compliance with city sign codes. • On the issue if signage,our Association tries to respond to these industry dynamics in three ways: First, we ask cities to adopt and retain more consistent, or uniform, standards - so that new agents(or agents working outside the city in which their office is located)don't have a significantly different set of sign code standards in each of the more than 40 jurisdictions in the region in which our members work. This is especially important considering that in King County alone there are now at least 35 incorporated cities. In fact we believe the only county in the nation with more local government jurisdictions is Cook County (Chicago), Illinois. Second,we believe we have a responsibility to educate our members about the issues of signage. We take that responsibility very seriously. Examples of the kinds of efforts we make include: • Major lead articles in our industry newspaper on safe sign placement,and new legal developments, • Articles on specific sign code requirements, • "Broker Updates" stressing legal sign placement, safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and timely removal of open house signs; and • Targeted Faxes: Our 5,000+members are organized into geographic Councils. We can target faxes to specific problem areas. Third,we have established a new program to use peer pressure in concert, and in cooperation,with city code compliance officers. And we've added staff that help to ensure it works well. Cities can levy a fine, pick up a sign, or otherwise hold folks accountable if a hazard is created. But candidly, we can offer an additional(and sometimes even more effective) "hammer"to the compliance "tool kit" available to your City's code compliance officers if they desire to make use of it. We have the systems in place to be of assistance. In addition to any other appropriate City action,if a code compliance officer observes a violation,the City's compliance officer can contact our Association's Public Affairs 7 - Department. This is usually accomplished by calling or faxing David Crowell, the Director of Government and Public Affairs. Upon receipt of the information,David Crowell faxes a rather stern (almost nasty) letter to the offending agent's broker(the agent's boss)on Association letterhead,outlining the specifics of the situation and telling them their agent is creating a problem for the rest of the industry by engaging in sharp practices. David also includes either a summary, or the actual text, of the city's relevant sign code provisions. On behalf of the Association, we ask them to clean up their act,and immediately correct the problem. The code compliance officer also receives a copy of the letter so that he or she knows we have followed up quickly with the agent's Broker. That's not the kind of paperwork Brokers like to see coming across their desk. They don't appreciate an agent causing those kinds of problems. Brokers tend to respond to such information by "aggressively rolling the stone downhill,"so to speak. By including a copy of the sign code provisions with David's letter,we also create the opportunity for the broker to have a "teachable moment" with the agent about the requirements of the sign code. Our use of peer pressure is an approach that works,not only because the self policing is effective, but also because it provides the code compliance officers with an additional option to deal with any problems efficiently. We respect the fact that a code compliance officer's time is an asset,just like cash. In fact,you pay for it with cash. Working together we can help to make their job easier and free up that resource for other kinds of city code compliance issues. If you'd Iike,we'll be happy to provide you with a sample of the kind of form we've put together for those compliance officers who want to use it in making contact with David Crowell, as well as sample letters we've prepared to get the Broker's attention,and ring the agent's bell. -9 SEATTLNG COUNTY ASSOCIATION OFALTORS® 12015 115th Ave. N.E., Suite 195, Kirkland,Washington 98034 (425) 820-3277 (Office) • 1-800-540-3277(Washington State) • (425) 820-3346 (Fax) REALTOR® Email:skcar@blarg.net•url:http://www.nwrealtor.com *** SAMPLE *** Memo To: The Honorable Mary Jane Goss,Lake Forest Park City Councilmember Fr: David Crowell, Director of Governmental Affairs RE: REALTORS® Self-Policing Policy on Signs Date: May 13, 1998 IIIIIIIIilllllllllllllllllllillilililllllllli{Iliii{Iilllllllllliillllillllliilllllllllllllilllllllllllllllillilllliilllillllllllillllllillllllllllllilllllllllillillllllllllllllll One of the ways that the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS® assists various cities in King County with sign code compliance and enforcement is through our self-policing program. Under this program,when a city sees a violation of the real estate sign code, it can call our Government Affairs Department. Once that information is given to me, I then fax a letter to the Broker(the offending agent's boss)on Association letterhead giving them the specifics of the situation and telling then that their agent is creating a problem for the rest of the industry by engaging in sharp practices; and we ask them to clean up their act and immediately correct the problem. I've enclosed a copy of the fax forms that we offer to cities in King County. As you know,Brokers don't like it when agents generate that kind of paperwork across their desk. This use of peer pressure is an approach that works, not only because the self- policing is effective,but also because it allows a city to deal with the problem efficiently. Time is an asset just like cash. Working together we can make the city's job easier and more effective. Additionally,we take the responsibility of educating our members very seriously. Some of our member education methods we use include the following: • Major lead articles in our newspaper on the issues of safe sign placement, and new legal developments. • Publish articles on the specific sign code requirements. • Broker updates stressing legal sign placement, safety for traffic & pedestrians and timely removal of open house signs. • Targeted faxes. • Council meetings' discussions on sign code compliance. °REALTOR-is a registered mark of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS — We also encourage our members to either call our office if they observe non-compliance with real estate sign codes, or call the offending agent directly to request compliance with city sign code regulations. No one wants to see a few agents destroy responsible sign placement/usage for the entire industry. If you have questions,concerns or comments about our self-policing program,we'll be happy to address those. Sincerely, David Crowell, Director of Government Affairs Enclosure cc: Todd R. Woosley itior s TO: David Crowell, Director of Public and Government Affairs Seattle - Sing County Association of Realtors Phone: (206) 820-3277 Ext. 215 FAX: (206) 820-3346 FROM: ❑ Richard Cottage, Federal Way Code Compliance Officer Phone: (206) 661-4017 Fax: (206) 661-4129 ❑ Martin Nordby, Federal Way Code Compliance Officer Phone: (206) 661-4121 Fax: (206) 661-4129 RE: NOTIFICATION OF REAL ESTATE SIGN CODE VIOLATION DATE: Dear Mr_ Crowell: This is to advise you of a REAL ESTATE SIGN C ODE VIOLATION which our office observed, and to request your assistance (through the Realtors' Self Policing OF' Program) in attempting to correct the problem and insure such a violation is not repeated_ Information on the violation is as follows: Name of the Real Estate Company. Name of the Real Estate Agent Phone Number(s) on the sign(s) if any: Location of the sign(s) Location of the property For Sale: Nature of the violation: The signs ] Were,'3 Were Not, removed. If they were removed. the sign(s) May, .3 May Not, be picked up by the agent at the following location, during normal business hours, within the next days: We appreciate the cooperative Self-Policing Program of the Seattle-King C ounty Association of Realtors and trust that your immediate contact with the Broker of the company will be sufficient to correct the problem so than no future enforcement action will be necessary. Thank You! - �� _ SEATTLE-KING COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 12015 115th Ave_N.E.Suite 2°5,Kirkland Washington 98034 -�1L7aR" (206)820-3277(office) • 1-800-540-32TT(Washington State) • (206) 820-3346 (Fax) TO: BROKER: COMPANY: FAX .Number: FROM: David Crowell, Director of Public and Government Affairs Seattle - King County Association of Realtors Phone: (206) 820-3277 Ext. 215 FAX: (206) 820-3346 RE: REAL ESTATE SIGN CODE VIOLATION DATE: Dear • We have received the enclosed NOTIFICATION OF SIGN CODE VIOLATION from the Code Compliance Office of the City of Federal Way. The notice was issued in connection with the Real Estate Signs being used by one or more of the agents in your office. I am writing to you as part of our Association's Self Policing Program to address sign code violations. My purpose in writing is to request your immediate assistance and leadership in helping to correct this situation, and in helping to make sure future violations of the City's sign code do not occur. Cities can place very severe restrictions on our use of signs- restrictions that are much tougher than the current law. For example, some cities have actually pioposed a requirement that agents obtain a separate daily permit (and require a separate daily permit fee of 315 to 325) for each open house sign for each day that the sign is used Such permits would have to be obtained in advance of an Open House or a Brokers Open. The only way for our industry to avoid these kinds of punitive sip codes is for each of us to use signs responsibly, and legally, and to urge all of our professional colleagues to do likewise. - IL Even though nobody wants to be the agent who ruins it for our entire industry. it's a E fact that a few violators can cause a city to make life very difficult, not only for the rest of the agents in your office, but also for the remaining 5,000+ Realtors who are members of our Association_ "Ultimately, the people who would suffer (and who benefit most from our signs) are our Sellers and Buyers. We know that most sign code violations are unintentional and can be avoided with a little education. The City of Federal Way Code Compliance Staff recognizes this fact and has established a cooperative working relationship with our Association of Realtors. Rather than take enforcement action against a Realtor on the first offense, the Code Compliance Staff of Federal Way has agreed to allow us to contact the Broker responsible for supervising the agent committing the violation, and see if we can solve the problem by working together. We think that is a good approach. We hope you agree. In addition to the NO i.if-ICATION we received from the City of Federal Way, rve also enclosed a summary of the Federal Way Sign Code. If you have questions, please feel free to call me and I will be happy to try to be of assistance. In the meantime, thank you in advance for your courtesy, cooperation and assistance. Sincerely, SEATTLE-KING COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS David Crowell, Director Department of Public and Government Affairs Enc. (1) NOTIFICATION OF SIGN CODE VIOLATION (2) Sign Code Summary cc: ❑ Richard Cottage, Federal Way Code Compliance Officer 0 Martin Nordby, Federal Way Code Compliance Officer = 13 r ,y~f; t �J r o0Z ra �db7� a> -o a eo5 0 d74 c �N 4, . 0) � U U 00 G $,-= 0 F. d UeC 00 C • W o E o U ytwP ob ".[ a) >. y 4.g o o� g o v -0 c. �Oa+rn no d""a aip0,-Ci a m'b-0 " �•.[ -, q ,c ocvo '� cw if, go � oU o ocAR+cV �� o -W byt 0 y › a� E m "o � P. UWU a) N a. ' 0w^ y "dQm te '' Oc .4:• C � CF w .5lgoo aocea ?-� o � ai ^. c II a OZyWpyO C7wg a"' 0mE0o2 ,a.4 do \ollliill!/I Z ytCcOV i UU1 coi 2 -2 84 42.FJ464, o° �\\\\\ �U(�,iOi . s /l,, 9I1111��\\\ it/N1!i az _� c b -- x w y„ c.. N n 4: C �'' bq' c O 0 . a) c./ > w0 O • l + .y v0i n N . z Q 4 o .� 3 H c w aaC .o o 0 0 �4 a) o. W c a ocn.� o •^ U• O� N E a> Z ° a 3 a a c a C-+ '� a' on o o Vj cn V a e • bq -7 w N b y tg -d fx z w Z ° a ca 0 3 A. V • a' U c O c Q ""ti ° : c�w O C cs C cl wp o w 0 C p N ZQL U c .0coos03 = sb b ` 4. 3 s. c N c c w `y ! \ N rn �' O Q' 3 a y w e 0 Q. o �` c 44 W i""i c rJ N c ti ed 0 , w R: O G4 0 •� w a o ca ..4w a, ` 0 an3 � C W Q y o. d c C Ca t '° V O O b i ._ �^� L7 w CA c O c Z ,> o c c Y o o CLI "�ci) o f •T 8 a ›'c c U ti O a w If) vs V cp Q .. al, E o a� w o o c ° s w cb. 2Vk a, c o ° b O 4� QR; o � Uv� E- b c 3 E. o a d �acn E-- Z < U September 22,2003 vas. Renton City Council Minutes Page 338 In response to Councilman Parker's inquiry regarding King County Executive Ron Sim's transportation proposal,Mr. Stone confirmed that the proposal includes transit components, which would entail a legislative change for authorization. He stated that King County is working towards developing a well-balanced transportation package. Responding to Councilman Clawson's inquiry regarding the SR-167 interchange and the proposal for additional transit lanes (Alternate B), Mr. Stone explained that along the I-405 corridor, the current transit lanes are carrying a large number of vehicles, and without freeway-to-freeway access, those vehicles must travel through the SR-167 interchange. The additional transit lanes would alleviate that,resulting in a continuous system from Auburn to Bothell. Councilman Corman commented that Alternate A was rejected since a bottleneck will be created if additional lanes are added to I-405 while only having one off-ramp. He questioned the feasibility of the transit tie alternate, saying that the single-occupancy vehicle speed will decrease through the SR- 167 interchange. Pointing out that a flyover ramp may be needed to alleviate that problem,Mr. Corman stated that more work needs to be done on the project design. Mr. Stone reiterated that the phasing options of the SR-167 interchange need to be coupled with the phasing options of the I-405 corridor investment levels. PUBLIC HEARING This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in Development Services: Real accordance with local and State laws,Mayor Tanner opened the public hearing Estate Sign Code Amendments to consider the proposed real estate sign code amendments, including garage Pit sale sign code amendments. T Senior Planner Jason Jordan stated that the Real Estate Signs Design Review Team was formed to review the existing real estate sign code in a response to issues that have been presented to Council from home and business owners throughout the City. He reviewed the different types of real estate signs, and summarized the issues as follows: real estate sign requirements are dated and confusing; real estate and garage sign regulations are scattered throughout the entire sign regulations; some sections of the real estate sign code are unenforceable; and garage sale sign code requirements do not specify location and duration. Continuing,Mr. Jordan stated that the review team recommends that the real estate and garage sale sign regulations be amended to clarify what and where the signs are allowed, to organize the real estate sign code section,to simplify the sign code regulations for the public and City staff, and to create enforceable sign code regulations. He concluded by relaying examples of the proposed amendments, which include modifying the size and location of off-premise real estate signs, clarifying which real estate signs are prohibited,and adding real estate sign definitions. Council President Keolker-Wheeler suggested that the garage sale sign regulations be made distinct from the real estate sign code regulations, and pointed out that garage sale sign enforcement is difficult. Code Compliance Officer Paul Baker noted that the real estate signs and garage sale signs are each listed within their own category under the temporary sign code. Public comment was invited. September 22,2003 .... Renton City Council Minutes Page 339 Sam Pace,realtor and Seattle-King County Association of Realtors Housing Specialist, 12015 115th Ave. NE,#195,Kirkland, 98034,noted that the association of realtors was not part of the sign design review team, and he indicated three areas of concern regarding the proposed real estate sign code amendments. First,Mr. Pace detailed the importance of real estate signs, noting that the elimination of signs would take away the real estate agent's and property owner's most effective tool. Second, he indicated that the signs help achieve the objectives of the 1988 Federal Fair Housing amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Third, Mr. Pace noted his concerns regarding some of the proposed amendments such as the allowed text for open house signs,and posting time allowed for on-premise real estate signs for plats. Continuing, Mr. Pace suggested including additional restrictions for real estate open house signs, which state that signs must not block driveways or curb cuts; must not be placed on trees,foliage, utility poles, or on regulatory,directional, or informational signs; and must not impede vehicular, bicycle,pedestrian, or wheelchair traffic. Responding to Councilman Clawson's inquiry regarding posting signs in a maintained public right-of-way,Mr. Pace stated that it is sometimes difficult to get permission to post the signs from the abutting property owner or representative. Acknowledging that right-of-way restriction is a complex issue, he suggested focusing instead on prohibiting the conduct that the City does not want. Discussion followed regarding right-of-way sign postings, potential damage to the right-of-way,the types of signs that should be allowed in the right-of-way (A-frame or staked signs), and who is held accountable if the right-of-way is damaged as a result of a sign posting. Councilmembers expressed their appreciation for Mr. Pace's suggestions, and Mr. Pace stated his willingness to help the City with this matter. There being no further public comment, it was MOVED BY PARKER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED. APPEAL Planning and Development Committee Chair Briere presented a report Planning & Development regarding the appeal of the Urban Crafts Mixed Use Site Plan and requested Committee modifications (SA-03-035). The Committee convened to consider the appeal of Appeal: Urban Crafts Mixed the decision of the Hearing Examiner dated July 3, 2003. The subject property Use, BDJS Associates, SA-03- is located at 400 Olympia Ave. NE, Renton, Washington. The applicant,H. 035 Lee Johnson of BDJS Associates, sought approval for the construction of a 27,528 square foot retail,office, and creative workspace building. The applicant also requested modifications of the required setbacks along both Olympia Ave. NE and NE 4th St. The Hearing Examiner did not approve the site plan and requested modifications, stating that the building was too large for the site and inconsistent with the Center Suburban (CS)zoning in which it is located. Both the applicant and City staff requested the Hearing Examiner reconsider his decision. The request was prompted by City staffs belief that they had incorrectly designated the front and side yards of the building, thus applying the incorrect setbacks. The motion for reconsideration was denied and an appeal to the City Council followed. Gti�Y 0 + .„VITO City of Renton PUBLIC INFORMATION HANDOUT September 22 2003 Real Estate Sign Code Revisions For additional information, please contact: Jason Jordan, Project Manager; City of Renton Development Services Division; (425)430-7219 ISSUE: The Real Estate Signs Design Review Team has developed a series of recommended amendments to Chapter 4 of Title 4 as part of its review of the existing Real Estate Sign Code. These recommended amendments respond to issues that have been presented to Council from home and business owners throughout the City, and have been identified by staff as necessary code amendments. Some of the amendments include modifying the size and location of off-premise real estate signs, clarifying which real estate signs are prohibited, and adding real estate sign definitions. The amendments are being proposed in a continuing effort to clarify and/or simplify the City's zoning and development regulations, while ensuring that critical regulations are clearly stated, readily available and enforceable. RECOMMENDATION: The Development Services Division is recommending to amend the real estate sign and garage sale sign regulations in order to be more in line with current real estate industry standards, while taking into consideration neighborhood impacts along with the enforceability of the code. Ft,, (14 0 cfp (i) r: E C3 bi) 't 0- Al -4.--4 <e' : 1Y, Cl' Ct rd /0 -ct., ;..T. Cin (1) CA 747:: o rai CD a k it . s. Ity ci) Ct ihO vl et- ---- Cf): CI-i T , A--) (t • T--1 TT ct g P4 E rti 4) H . . ai a;A.j CID CZ . 0 a r4 .s.4.'...- . wrtr'�" — • CI '< 4'iimilmill r-4 r f , _----, _____ -.. I..i...i.," ' `yam ,7_. ,. 14, ' '''',:,,.'s,--,,,,,,,,-.,. \ 1.'",01:111111111,1k:.-.' 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N . - 3�-, „, ci) c.) 4.4 T-c es: a • • • • • CITY OF RENTON PLANNING/BUILDING/PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: August 27, 2003 TO: Planning and Development Committee FROM: Real Estate Sign Design Team STAFF CONTACT: Jason Jordan x7219 SUBJECT: Real Estate Sign Code Revisions As requested at the August 21, 2003 Planning & Development Committee meeting I have made some minor changes to the proposed real estate sign code amendments. For your use and review, I have outlined the requested changes in blue. A quick recap of those changes include: allowing text and logos on decorative flags, amending the proposed flag permit fee to $25.00 per entrance, requiring an abutting property owner's approval for real estate directional signs only if the abutting property is maintained or developed, modifying the real estate directional sign permit to be valid for six months with a six month extension, and reducing the real estate sign directional permit fee to $25.00. ISSUE: The Real Estate Signs Design Review Team has developed a series of recommended amendments to Chapter 4 of Title 4 as part of its review of the existing Real Estate Sign Code. These recommended amendments respond to issues that have been presented to Council from home and business owners throughout the City, and have been identified by staff as necessary code amendments. Some of the amendments include modifying the size and location of off-premise real estate signs, clarifying which real estate signs are prohibited, and adding real estate sign definitions. The amendments are being proposed in a continuing effort to clarify and/or simplify the City's zoning and development regulations, while ensuring that critical regulations are clearly stated, readily available and enforceable. This issue paper is slightly different from the standard issue paper format. Recommended amendments are bulleted below, followed by code text amendments shown in underline and strike-through legislative format. RECOMMENDATION: • RMC 4-4-100B6o, relating to exceptions from permit requirements: Staff recommends amending this section of the sign code to coincide with the proposed sign code changes. Specifically, staff is recommending that open house signs, freestanding signs and garage sale signs be exempt from having to obtain a sign permit. This modification is necessary as some of the real estate signs require sign permits, while others don't. o. Real Estate Signs: . .-4848, 6 26 2000)Open House signs, Free Standing skins and Garage Sale skins as described in Subsection J. • RMC 4-4-100B6h, relating to Garage Sale Signs. Staff recommends adding "Garage Sale Signs"to the list of signs that are exempt from sign permit requirements. Staff also recommends adding a reference to the location of the revised garage sale sign information within the code. This amendment would clarify that garage sale signs are exempt. The amendment also directs users to the applicable garage sale sign code requirements. Lastly, staff recommends inserting garage sale signs in alphabetical order as shown below. h. Garage Sake Signs (See RMC 4--4-10001 441. Holiday Displays: Temporary signs and decorations customary for special holidays, observed by the federal, state or municipal government erected entirely on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) q. Memorial Signs: Memorial signs or tables, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials. (Ord. 4629, 8-19-1996; Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) jk. Modifications Not Requiring Structural or Electrical Changes: i. Outside of City Center: Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure or the changing of the advertising copy or message thereon shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical change is made. (Ord. 4629, 8-19-1996; Amd. Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998) ii. Inside City Center Sign Regulation Boundaries: Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical change is made. A change of sign face shall be subject to permit requirements. (Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998; Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 1 i. Open House Signs. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 4m. Political Signs: Political signs less than twelve (12) square feet on one face as herein defined. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) fpn. Public Art: Sculptures, wall paintings, murals, collages, banners and other design features which do not incorporate advertising or identification, consistent with the provisions and procedures of the Public Art Exemption, RMC 4-9-160. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) + . Public Service Signs: Nonadvertising and nonpromotional signs such as citizen recognition signs, neighborhood welcome signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, or other signs of similar nature as determined by the Development Services Division. Such signs may be located in any zone and shall require approval of the Development Services Division. These signs may be located on or over public rights-of-way with approval of the sign placement by the City of Renton Transportation Systems Division. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) eg. Real Estate Signs: Real estate signs offering the immediately adjacent premises for sale, lease or rent and not exceeding six (6) square feet in area on one face or less in area for lots thirty five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area, and not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in area on one face for lots over thirty five thousand (35,000) square feet in area. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) pg. Safety Information Signs: Signs of public service companies indicating danger and/or service or safety information. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) gr. Small Parking and Traffic Control Signs: Parking and traffic control signs two (2) square feet or less on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) fs. Small Wall Signs: One on-premises sign, not electrical or illuminated, two (2) square feet or less on one face which is affixed permanently on a plane parallel to the wall on the wall located entirely on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) st. Weekend and Holiday Display Signage for Vehicle and Vessel Sales in the Auto Mall Overlay Districts: Balloons, with no limit on size or number per site, may be displayed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, federal legal holidays and December 26— 31. (Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) tu. Banner Signage for Vehicle and Vessel Sales in the Auto Mall Overlay Districts: Wall-hung and pole-hung banners are permitted as follows: i. Wall-Hung Banner Size and Location Limitations: Wall-hung banners shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in size. There are no restrictions on the number per wall or number per site. Wall-hung banners shall not cover up permanent signage or address numbers. ii. Pole-Hung Banner Size and Location Limitations: Pole-hung banners shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in size. No more than one pole-hung banner shall be located on any on-site pole or light standard. There are no restrictions on the number of pole-hung banners per site. (Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C4, regarding exceptions from prohibited signs and devices. Staff suggests an amendment to allow "decorative real estate flags" This change is necessary as developers have begun utilizing decorative flags to denote the entrance to their subdivisions. 4. Devices of a Carnival Nature: Balloons, flags, pennants/streamers, wind-animated objects, searchlights, inflatable statuary, and similar devices of a carnival nature except as specifically provided in subsections B6, Exemptions from Permit Requirements, E4�. Decorative Real Estate Flags and J6, Event Signs, of this Section. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6- 26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C9&10, regarding signs located within the public right-of-way and off premise signs. Staff suggests a text amendment, which clarifies that certain temporary real estate signs are allowed within the public right-of-way and can be located off- premises. 9. Signs on Public Right-of-Way: Signs on public right-of-way other than temporary and portable signs allowed by subsection ; 9 A-F-Fame-Signs J, of this Section; and subsections B6b, City Sponsored Signs; B6c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; B6n, Public Service Signs; B6p, Safety Information Signs; and I, Signs on Public Right-of-Way, of this Section. (Ord. 3719, 4-11-1983; Amd. Ord. 4832, 3-6-2000; Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 10. Off-Premises Signs: Except temporary and portable signs allowed by subsections 9 9 9 9 • J of this Section; City sponsored signs and public service signs per subsections B6b, City Sponsored Signs; B6c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; and B6n, Public Service Signs, of this Section. (Ord. 4172, 9-12-1988; Amd. Ord. 4629, 8-19- 1996; Ord. 4832, 3-6-2000; Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C16, regarding prohibited real estate signs. Staff suggests new text, which clarifies the types of real estate signs that are prohibited within the City. Staff believes that this section (Prohibited Signs and Devices) is the most appropriate section to place prohibited real estate signs. 16. Real Estate Signs: a. Any off-premise real estate sign, except open house and real estate directional signs. Nor "me b. In no case, shall any real estate sign be less than four(4) square feet, except for open house signs. Vic. Any off-premise real estate sign located at the same intersection corner, or location as an approved Public Service Sign or Public Art . s-d. Any real estate sign closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway. e. Any real estate sign placed in a manner as to constitute a public safety hazard as determined by the Development Services Division. • RMC 4-4-100E4ai, regarding decorative flags located on properties developed as apartment buildings and subdivisions. Staff suggests a text amendment, which allows apartments and subdivisions to erect decorative real estate flags at entrances to their developments. Staff has noted a proliferation of these decorative flags throughout the City, however, they are not currently allowed nor does the City require a sign permit. These proposed modifications would allow the decorative flags subject to the approval of a sign permit. i. Decorative Flags: Apartment buildings, residential subdivision developments and similar occupancies located in residential and mixed--use zones may also display decorative flags in accordance with the following requirements. (a) Permit Requirements: Permit Required, (b) Sign Type: A lightweight fabric or similar material that supported by a vertical or horizontal staff, (c) Allowed Uses: Multi-family residential complexes and subdivisions of 10 or more units or lots, (d) Maximum Size: Each flag shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet. (e) Maximum Height: Flags, including the supports, shall not exceed the height limitations for the zone in which it is located, (f) Sign/Pole Location: Only permissible when located within one hundred (100) feet of the entrance to a subdivision or a multi-family development. The sign/pole shall be located on the development premises and shall be setback a minimum of one-foot from the property line for each foot in height, • RMC 4-4-100E4c&d, regarding real estate sign permits. Staff proposes to eliminate this section of the code as it is discussed under the revised real estate sign permit section. ec. Temporary Signs: Temporary signs per subsection J of this Section are allowed, except for cloth signs over public right-of-way. (Ord. 3719, 4-11-1983; Amd. Ord. 4172, 9-12-1988; Amd. Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998) fd. Public Facilities (Public Buildings, Schools, Parks and Recreation Facilities): Each individual public facility may have one freestanding electronic or manual message board, a maximum of twenty five feet (25') in height and one hundred fifty (150) square feet in size. In addition to the message board sign, each individual facility may have one freestanding sign not higher than six feet (6') above any established grade for each street frontage and no more than one hundred (100) square feet. Freestanding signs shall be no closer than ten feet (10') to any street right-of-way or five feet (5') to any side property line. In addition to the freestanding signs, wall signs are permitted with a total copy 111.10" lee area not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the building facade to which it is applied. (Ord. 4766, 3-1-1999) • RMC 4-4-100J2-3, regarding real estate sign permits. Staff proposes to completely revise this portion of the real estate sign code so that the code is more in line with existing real estate industry standards and expectations. The following represents the deletion of the existing real estate code language, which is then followed by new real estate code language. 2 Real Wa - T+r estate -and "' ar#-a-var-iance r 0 -44.109-(-24-64494 signs . 3719, 1- 11 1903 Amd. Ord, 44 -10 26 1993) • RMC 4-4-100J2, regarding prohibited real estate signs. Staff proposes to add prohibited real estate signs within the real estate sign code section of Chapter 4, Title 4. This would clarify which real estate signs are not allowed within the City limits (please note that these prohibited signs are also proposed to be listed under prohibited signs, general). 2. Real Estate Signs a. PROHIBITED REAL ESTATE SIGNS: i. See RMC4-4-100C16 ii. No balloons or other attention-attracting devices may be attached to real estate signs. • RMC 4-4-100J2b, regarding off-premise open house real estate signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate signs amongst other types of real estate signs. One example of an off-premise sign is an open house sign. Staff has attempted to clarify the display duration and location of off-premise signs. b. OFF-PREMISE REAL ESTATE SIGNS: i. OPEN HOUSE SIGNS (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: In no case shall an open house sign be displayed longer than any 12 hours in a 24 hour period. A seller or their representative shall be present at the property for sale, rent or lease, while the open house sign is being displayed. (c) Allowed Use: For directing potential customers to the site of real estate that is for sale, rent, or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non illuminated portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter "A". The sign text must include the words "open house", "for sale "for rent", or"for lease". (e) Maximum Size: Four (4) square feet in surface area for each face of the sign_ (f) Sign Location. Signs may be placed no closer than 4 feet to the edge of a public roadwy, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, (g) Maximum Number: Four (4) off-premises signs per property for sale, rent or lease. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed 10 feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J2bii-iii, regarding off-premise real estate directional signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate directional signs outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary and inside the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary. Developers have stressed that downtown projects require different real estate sign requirements than developments located outside of the downtown area. Therefore, staff is proposing two real estate directional sign standards (outside and inside the downtown), which are very similar except for sign location and spacing. ii. REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (Outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100H3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. When located in the public right-of-way an applicant must have the approval of the abutting property owner or representative if the abutting property owner or representative is maintaining the right-of-way where the sign is proposed to be located. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of sixJ6) months with a six (6) month extension_ (c) Allowed Use: These signs are intended for the original sale, rental, or lease of property divided into 10 or more lots or for a newly created multi-family complex of 10 or more units for sale, rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Renton. The Development Services Division may also approve these skins for use by multi-family complexes that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten (10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. The real estate directional sign permit shall not be approved if the development is 75% or more occupied or sold. (d) Allowable Sign Type: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign. (e) Maximum Size: Twelve (12) square feet on one face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2) miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2) real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one sign per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional signs shall be placed no closer than five hundred (500) feet to any other real estate directional sign and no closer than 100 feet to an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. iii. REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (Within the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100H3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. When located in the public right-of-way an applicant must have the approval of the abutting pr,operty owner or representative if the abutting property owner or representative is maintaining the right-of-way where the sign is proposed to be located. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of six (6) months with a six (6) month extension. (c) Allowed Use: These signs are intended for the original sale, rental, or lease of property divided into 10 or more lots or for a newly created multi-family development of 10 or more units for sale, rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Renton. The Development Services Division may also approve these signs for use by multi-family developments that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten (10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton, The real estate directional sign permit shall not be approved if the development is 75% occupied or sold. (d) Allowable Sign Type: Any non-illuminated freestanding sign and A-frame signs. (e) Maximum Size: thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32 inches by 36 inches) per face, (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2) miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2) real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one sign per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional signs shall be placed no closer than one-hundred (100) feet to any other real estate directional sign and fifty (50) feet from an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J2c, regarding on-premise real estate signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate signs and on-premise real estate signs in order to provide the development/real estate community with greater flexibility of sign location, duration and placement. The proposed regulations would also provide Code Enforcement staff with appropriate measures to control real estate signs. One example of an on-premise real estate sign is a freestanding real estate sign (what is typically seen . , in the front yard of a house that is for sale or rent). These signs are generally smaller in size and do not require a sign permit. c. ON PREMISES REAL ESTATE SIGNS i. FREESTANDING REAL ESTATE SIGN (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: For the period of time the property is for sale, rent or lease. For multi-family complexes of five (5) or more units the freestanding real estate sign shall not be allowed if the development is 75% occupied or sold. (c) Allowed Use For real estate that is for sale rent or lease, (d) Allowable Sign Type, A non-illuminated freestanding sign indicating that the property, which the sign is located on is for sale, rent or lease (e) Maximum Size, 1. For lots thirty-five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area Six (6) square feet in area per face; or 2 For lots greater than thirty-five (35,000) square feet in area: Thirty-two (321 square feet in area per face, (f) Sign Location: These signs must be located on the premise that is for sale, rent or lease. These signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, (g) Maximum Number: One (1) sign per street frontage. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished made • RMC 4-4-100J2cii, regarding on-premise real estate signs. Staff proposes new real estate sign code language that distinguishes between residential and commercial development. Specifically, the commercial development community has indicated a preference for commercial real estate banner signs (placed on the building); however, the residential development community prefers these types of signs as special event signs (i.e. grand opening) instead of temporary real estate signs. Therefore, staff has drafted proposed commercial banner real estate sign language that provides commercial buildings with an opportunity to display this type of sign, provided they comply with the sign location and duration requirements. ii. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BANNER SIGNS: (a) Permit Requirements; Permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve (12) months. (c) Allowed Use; For sale rent, or lease of commercial property. Real Estate Banners shall not be utilized by residential development, (d) Allowable Sign Type: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material. The sign must indicate "For Sale, Rent, or Lease." (e) Maximum Size: Fifty (50) square feet. (f) Sign Location: Only permissible when mounted to a building that is for sale, rent, or lease. (g) Maximum Number: One (1) per street frontage. • RMC 4-4-100J3, regarding garage sale signs. Staff proposes to add garage sale sign language to the temporary sign section of the municipal code in order to provide citizens with clear guidelines as to the location and duration of garage sales signs. As such, staff is not proposing any additional permits for garage sale signs but is instead clarifying where and for how long those signs may be displayed. 3. Garage Sale Signs: • (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the sale and a maximum of twenty-four(24) hours after the sale is completed. (c) Allowed Uses: For directing potential customers to the garage sale site. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign or an A-frame sign. (e) Maximum Size: Thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32" x 36" inches). (f) Sign Location: Signs may be placed no closer than four(4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The signs shall not be attached to utility poles, traffic controlling devises or any other public structure. (q) Maximum Height. Shad not exceed ten (10ifeet from finished grad;, • RMC 4-4-100J6a, regarding Event Sign Applicability. Staff proposes to add "residential" to the applicability section of the event signs, which would allow residential uses to utilize temporary event signage. 6. Event Signs: a. Applicability: Commercial, industrial, residential, public, and quasi-public uses and mixed-use developments (commercial combined with multi-family residential) may display event signage in compliance with the following regulations. These regulations apply to use of signs for grand opening events or for periodic special events.... • RMC 4-4-1000, regarding violations and penalties. Staff proposes to add this section to the sign code in order to successfully levy penalties against sign code violators. U. Violations of this Chapter and Penalties: Penalties for any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be in accord with Chapter 1-3 RMC. • RMC 4-11-110, regarding real estate sign definitions. Staff proposes to add four new real estate sign definitions in order to assist City staff and the community with interpreting the revised real estate sign code. J. Real Estate Signs: 1, Commercial Real Estate Banner Sign: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a building by any means, and indicating that the property is for sale, rent, or lease, National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 2. Decorative Real Estate Flag: A portion of lightweight fabric or similar material , supported by a vertical or horizontal staff, intended to flutter in the wind, and is used to attract attention to any type of residential development for sale, rent, or lease, National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 3. Freestanding Real Estate Signs: Any type of non-illuminated freestanding sign, indicating that the property on which it is located, is for sale, rent, or lease, This sign type includes yardarm or ground signs, 4. Open House Sign: A non-illuminated type of portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A," no larger than 4 square feet in surface area for each sign face. The sign text for an Open House Sign contains the phrase: "open house" or"for sale" or"for rent" or"for lease." 5. Real Estate Directional Skin: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign that provides direction to property(ies) for sale, rent, or lease. Within the City Center Skin Regulation Boundaries (as shown in RMC 4.4-100H3) real estate directional signs may also include portable skins comprised of hin.ed panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A" JK. Sign, Rigid Portable: A sign which is not permanently affixed and designed for or capable of movement. Those signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their persons or which are permanently affixed to motor vehicles are considered to be rigid portable signs. A rigid portable sign is not considered to be a portable readerboard or"trailer sign." KL. Sign, Window: Any sign, temporary or permanent, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window. Interior display of merchandise for sale, including accessory mannequins and other props, shall not be considered window signs. i M. Wind-Animated Object: Any device, e.g., windsocks, pinwheels, whirligigs, etc., whose primary movements are caused by the wind or atmospheric conditions, attached by a tether. A balloon or inflatable statuary, with or without moveable parts, is not considered a wind-animated object. • RMC 4-1-140M3 regarding real estate sign fees. Staff proposes to amend the sign permit fees as noted below. While some of the fees are proposed to increase; the duration of the permit validity in some cases has been extended. RMC 4-1-140M3 TEMPORARY AND Fee Amount PORTABLE SIGNS: Real Estate Directional Signs $25.00 per skin, permit valid for a six (6) month period with pursuant to RMC 4-4-100J2 a six (6) month renewal fee of $25.00 Grand Opening Event Signs, $25.00 per site, per opening pursuant to RMC 4-4- 100J6d(1) Event Signs, pursuant to $15.00 per type of sign RMC 4-4-100J6d(2) and (3) identified in RMC 4-4-100J6b, per promotion A-Frame Signs, pursuant to $100.00 for the first sign and RMC 4-4-100J5 $50.00 for each additional sign, fora 12-month period Commercial Property Real $50 per sign, permit valid for Estate Banner a 12-month period Decorative Flags $20 per entrance, permit valid until flaq(s) removed Conclusion: The proposed code amendments outlined above represent revisions to the real estate sign code that is more in line with current real estate industry standards, while taking into consideration neighborhood impacts along with enforceability of the code. In addition, staff has attempted to carefully consider which signs should be subject to a sign permit and the amount of staff time involved with each permit. This provided staff with a baseline of what each required sign permit fee might be in terms of actual dollars spent on processing the permits. If you have specific questions about this proposal, please feel free to contact Jason Jordan at (425) 430-7219. ... CITY OF RENTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Renton City Council has fixed the 22nd day of September, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing to be held in the seventh floor Council Chambers of Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98055, to consider the following: Real Estate Sign Code Amendments All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing and present written or oral comments regarding the proposal. Renton City Hall is in compliance with the American Disabilities Act, and interpretive services for the hearing impaired will be provided upon prior notice. For information, call 425-430-6510. Bonnie I. Walton City Clerk Published King County Journal September 12, 2003 Account No. 50640 September 8,2003 Renton City Council Minutes Page 312 Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the lease agreement. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Planning &Development Planning and Development Committee Vice Chair Clawson presented a report Committee regarding the Highlands redevelopment area residential-oriented City Code Planning: Highlands amendments. The Committee met on July 17, August 7, and September 4 to Redevelopment Area, consider the Planning Commission's recommended approval of City Code Harrington Square amendments to Title IV (Development Regulations)that are designed to encourage new residential development in the Highlands. The Planning Commission recommended allowing up to 80 dwellings units per net acre maximum bonus density and urban parking standards within the existing Residential Bonus District in the Highlands redevelopment area in exchange for higher design standards and on-site open space requirements. A public hearing was held on this matter on August 4, 2003. Subsequent Committee meetings discussed ways to mitigate for shadow impacts of taller residential buildings allowed under the staff proposal. The Committee recommended concurrence in the recommendation of staff to add a provision that reduces height to no more than 45 feet within 80 feet of a property zoned R-8 or R-10 within the Center Suburban Zone's District C of the Suburban Centers Residential Bonus Overlay. The Committee concurred with the Planning Commission's recommendation on amendments to Title IV encouraging residential redevelopment with the modification that height restrictions be imposed for residential, commercial, and mixed-use development to the areas within 80 feet of R-8 and R-10 zones within the Highlands redevelopment area. The Committee further recommended that the ordinance regarding this matter be presented for first reading. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Development Services: Real Planning and Development Committee Vice Chair Clawson presented a report Estate Sign Code Amendments regarding real estate sign code amendments. The Committee met to review and discuss potential revisions to the real estate sign code regulations established in City Code Title IV(Development Regulations). Currently City Code limits the height and location of real estate signs throughout the City. However, in an effort to make the City Code more in-line with current practices,easier to use, and more enforceable, staff has proposed amending this section of Title IV. The Committee recommended that a public hearing be set on September 22, 2003,to discuss the real estate sign code amendments. MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY PARKER, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE OMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. ORDINANCES AND The following resolutions were presented for reading and adoption: RESOLUTIONS Resolution#3654 A resolution was read setting a public hearing on October 6, 2003, for vacating Vacation: Alley between the alley located south of S. 2nd St.,between Williams Ave. S. to the west and Williams &Wells Ayes S, Wells Ave. S. to the east(Savren Service Corporation;VAC-03-002). MOVED Savren Service Corporation, BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY PARKER,COUNCIL ADOPT VAC-03-002 THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. PPPOVED BY CITY COUNCIL Date 9 r-a003 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE REPORT September 8,2003 Real Estate Sign Code Amendments (Referred December 9,2002) The Planning and Development Committee met to review and discuss potential revisions to the real estate sign code regulations established in Title IV. Currently, City code limits the height and location of real estate signs throughout the City. However, in an effort to make the code more in-line with current practices, easier to use, and more enforceable, staff has proposed to amend this section of Title IV. The Committee recommends that a public hearing to discuss the real estate sign code amendments be set for September 22,2003. Terri Brier , Chair Dan Clawso ice Cha' V King Parker, Member cc: Gregg Zimmerman Alex Pietsch PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE public hearing report#1\ Rev 01/02 bh RECEIVED AUG 2 7 2003 CITY OF RENTON RENTONIO1TY lNCIL PLANNING/BUILDING/PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM CITY OF REN F ON DATE: August 27, 2003 AUG 2 8 20U3 RECEIVED TO: Planning and Development Committee CtN CLERK'S OFFICE FROM: Real Estate Sign Design Team STAFF CONTACT: Jason Jordan x7219 SUBJECT: Real Estate Sign Code Revisions As requested at the August 21, 2003 Planning & Development Committee meeting I have made some minor changes to the proposed real estate sign code amendments. For your use and review, I have outlined the requested changes in blue. A quick recap of those changes include: allowing text and logos on decorative flags, amending the proposed flag permit fee to $25.00 per entrance, requiring an abutting property owner's approval for real estate directional signs only if the abutting property is maintained or developed, modifying the real estate directional sign permit to be valid for six months with a six month extension, and reducing the real estate sign directional permit fee to $25.00. ISSUE: The Real Estate Signs Design Review Team has developed a series of recommended amendments to Chapter 4 of Title 4 as part of its review of the existing Real Estate Sign Code. These recommended amendments respond to issues that have been presented to Council from home and business owners throughout the City, and have been identified by staff as necessary code amendments. Some of the amendments include modifying the size and location of off-premise real estate signs, clarifying which real estate signs are prohibited, and adding real estate sign definitions. The amendments are being proposed in a continuing effort to clarify and/or simplify the City's zoning and development regulations, while ensuring that critical regulations are clearly stated, readily available and enforceable. This issue paper is slightly different from the standard issue paper format. Recommended amendments are bulleted below, followed by code text amendments shown in underline and strike-through legislative format. RECOMMENDATION: • RMC 4-4-100B6o, relating to exceptions from permit requirements: Staff recommends amending this section of the sign code to coincide with the proposed sign code changes. Specifically, staff is recommending that open house signs, freestanding signs and garage sale signs be exempt from having to obtain a sign permit. This modification is necessary as some of the real estate signs require sign permits, while others don't. o. Real Estate Signs: . 1818, 6-26-2000)Open House signs, Free Standing signs and Garage Sale signs as described in Subsection J. • RMC 4-4-100B6h, relating to Garage Sale Signs. Staff recommends adding "Garage Sale Signs" to the list of signs that are exempt from sign permit requirements. Staff also recommends adding a reference to the location of the revised garage sale sign information within the code. This amendment would clarify that garage sale signs are exempt. The amendment also directs users to the applicable garage sale sign code requirements. Lastly, staff recommends inserting garage sale signs in alphabetical order as shown below. h. Garage Sale Signs (See RMC 4-4-100J3) #i. Holiday Displays: Temporary signs and decorations customary for special holidays, observed by the federal, state or municipal government erected entirely on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) +j. Memorial Signs: Memorial signs or tables, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials. (Ord. 4629, 8-19-1996; Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) jk. Modifications Not Requiring Structural or Electrical Changes: i. Outside of City Center: Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure or the changing of the advertising copy or message thereon shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical change is made. (Ord. 4629, 8-19-1996; Amd. Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998) ii. Inside City Center Sign Regulation Boundaries: Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical change is made. A change of sign face shall be subject to permit requirements. (Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998; Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) Open House Signs. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 1m. Political Signs: Political signs less than twelve (12) square feet on one face as herein defined. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) Win. Public Art: Sculptures, wall paintings, murals, collages, banners and other design features which do not incorporate advertising or identification, consistent with the provisions and procedures of the Public Art Exemption, RMC 4-9-160. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 4o. Public Service Signs: Nonadvertising and nonpromotional signs such as citizen recognition signs, neighborhood welcome signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, or other signs of similar nature as determined by the Development Services Division. Such signs may be located in any zone and shall require approval of the Development Services Division. These signs may be located on or over public rights-of-way with approval of the sign placement by the City of Renton Transportation Systems Division. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) rag. Real Estate Signs: Real estate signs offering the immediately adjacent premises for sale, lease or rent and not exceeding six (6) square feet in area on one face or less in area for lots thirty five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area, and not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in area on one face for lots over thirty five thousand (35,000) square feet in area. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) pg. Safety Information Signs: Signs of public service companies indicating danger and/or service or safety information. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) qr. Small Parking and Traffic Control Signs: Parking and traffic control signs two (2) square feet or less on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) fs. Small Wall Signs: One on-premises sign, not electrical or illuminated, two (2) square feet or less on one face which is affixed permanently on a plane parallel to the wall on the wall located entirely on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) st. Weekend and Holiday Display Signage for Vehicle and Vessel Sales in the Auto Mall Overlay Districts: Balloons, with no limit on size or number per site, may be displayed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, federal legal holidays and December 26— 31. (Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) tu. Banner Signage for Vehicle and Vessel Sales in the Auto Mall Overlay Districts: Wall-hung and pole-hung banners are permitted as follows: i. Wall-Hung Banner Size and Location Limitations: Wall-hung banners shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in size. There are no restrictions on the number per wall or number per site. Wall-hung banners shall not cover up permanent signage or address numbers. ii. Pole-Hung Banner Size and Location Limitations: Pole-hung banners shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in size. No more than one pole-hung banner shall be located on any on-site pole or light standard. There are no restrictions on the number of pole-hung banners per site. (Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C4, regarding exceptions from prohibited signs and devices. Staff suggests an amendment to allow"decorative real estate flags" This change is necessary as developers have begun utilizing decorative flags to denote the entrance to their subdivisions. 4. Devices of a Carnival Nature: Balloons, flags, pennants/streamers, wind-animated objects, searchlights, inflatable statuary, and similar devices of a carnival nature except as specifically provided in subsections B6, Exemptions from Permit Requirements, E4, Decorative Real Estate Flags and J6, Event Signs, of this Section. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6- 26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C9&10, regarding signs located within the public right-of-way and off premise signs. Staff suggests a text amendment, which clarifies that certain temporary real estate signs are allowed within the public right-of-way and can be located off- premises. 9. Signs on Public Right-of-Way: Signs on public right-of-way other than temporary and portable signs allowed by subsection , 1 9 , A-Frame-ins J, of this Section; and subsections B6b, City Sponsored Signs; B6c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; B6n, Public Service Signs; B6p, Safety Information Signs; and I, Signs on Public Right-of-Way, of this Section. (Ord. 3719, 4-11-1983; Amd. Ord. 4832, 3-6-2000; Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 10. Off-Premises Signs: Except temporary and portable signs allowed by subsections 1 ; , J of this Section; City sponsored signs and public service signs per subsections B6b, City Sponsored Signs; B6c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; and B6n, Public Service Signs, of this Section. (Ord. 4172, 9-12-1988; Amd. Ord. 4629, 8-19- 1996; Ord. 4832, 3-6-2000; Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C16, regarding prohibited real estate signs. Staff suggests new text, which clarifies the types of real estate signs that are prohibited within the City. Staff believes that this section (Prohibited Signs and Devices) is the most appropriate section to place prohibited real estate signs. 16. Real Estate Signs: a. Any off-premise real estate sign, except open house and real estate directional signs. b. In no case, shall any real estate sign be less than four (4) square feet, except for open house signs. b c. Any off-premise real estate sign located at the same intersection corner, or location as an approved Public Service Sign or Public Art . e.d. Any real estate sign closer than four(4) feet to the edge of a public roadway. e. Any real estate siqn placed in a manner as to constitute a public safety hazard as determined by the Development Services Division. • RMC 4-4-100E4ai, regarding decorative flags located on properties developed as apartment buildings and subdivisions. Staff suggests a text amendment, which allows apartments and subdivisions to erect decorative real estate flags at entrances to their developments. Staff has noted a proliferation of these decorative flags throughout the City, however, they are not currently allowed nor does the City require a sign permit. These proposed modifications would allow the decorative flags subject to the approval of a sign permit. i. Decorative Flags: Apartment buildings, residential subdivision developments and similar occupancies located in residential and mixed-use zones may also display decorative flags in accordance with the following requirements: (a) Permit Requirements: Permit Required. (b) Sign Type: A lightweight fabric or similar material that supported by a vertical or horizontal staff. (c) Allowed Uses: Multi-family residential complexes and subdivisions of 10 or more units or lots. (d) Maximum Size: Each flag shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet. (e) Maximum Height: Flags, including the supports, shall not exceed the height limitations for the zone in which it is located. (f) Sign/Pole Location: Only permissible when located within one hundred (100) feet of the entrance to a subdivision or a multi-family development. The sign/pole shall be located on the development premises and shall be setback a minimum of one-foot from the property line for each foot in height. • RMC 4-4-100E4c&d, regarding real estate sign permits. Staff proposes to eliminate this section of the code as it is discussed under the revised real estate sign permit section. ec. Temporary Signs: Temporary signs per subsection J of this Section are allowed, except for cloth signs over public right-of-way. (Ord. 3719, 4-11-1983; Amd. Ord. 4172, 9-12-1988; Amd. Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998) fd. Public Facilities (Public Buildings, Schools, Parks and Recreation Facilities): Each individual public facility may have one freestanding electronic or manual message board, a maximum of twenty five feet (25') in height and one hundred fifty (150) square feet in size. In addition to the message board sign, each individual facility may have one freestanding sign not higher than six feet (6') above any established grade for each street frontage and no more than one hundred (100) square feet. Freestanding signs shall be no closer than ten feet (10')to any street right-of-way or five feet (5') to any side property line. In addition to the freestanding signs, wall signs are permitted with a total copy area not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the building facade to which it is applied. (Ord. 4766, 3-1-1999) • RMC 4-4-100J2-3, regarding real estate sign permits. Staff proposes to completely revise this portion of the real estate sign code so that the code is more in line with existing real estate industry standards and expectations. The following represents the deletion of the existing real estate code language, which is then followed by new real estate code language. 0 9f f • RMC 4-4-100J2, regarding prohibited real estate signs. Staff proposes to add prohibited real estate signs within the real estate sign code section of Chapter 4, Title 4. This would clarify which real estate signs are not allowed within the City limits (please note that these prohibited signs are also proposed to be listed under prohibited signs, general). 2. Real Estate Signs : a. PROHIBITED REAL ESTATE SIGNS: i. See RMC4-4-100C16 ii. No balloons or other attention-attracting devices may be attached to real estate signs. • RMC 4-4-100J2b, regarding off-premise open house real estate signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate signs amongst other types of real estate signs. One example of an off-premise sign is an open house sign. Staff has attempted to clarify the display duration and location of off-premise signs. b. OFF-PREMISE REAL ESTATE SIGNS: i. OPEN HOUSE SIGNS Nkso (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: In no case shall an open house sign be displayed longer than any 12 hours in a 24 hour period. A seller or their representative shall be present at the property for sale, rent or lease, while the open house sign is being displayed. (c) Allowed Use: For directing potential customers to the site of real estate that is for sale, rent, or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter "A". The sign text must include the words "open house", "for sale", "for rent", or"for lease". (e) Maximum Size: Four (4) square feet in surface area for each face of the sign. (f) Sign Location: Signs may be placed no closer than 4 feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number: Four (4) off-premises signs per property for sale, rent or lease. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed 10 feet from finished grade, • RMC 4-4-100J2bii-iii, regarding off-premise real estate directional signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate directional signs outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary and inside the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary. Developers have stressed that downtown projects require different real estate sign requirements than developments located outside of the downtown area. Therefore, staff is proposing two real estate directional sign standards (outside and inside the downtown), which are very similar except for sign location and spacing. ii. REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (Outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100H3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. When located in the public right-of-way an applicant must have the approval of the abutting property owner or representative if the abutting property owner or representative is maintaining the right-of-way where the sign is proposed to be located. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of sixS6) months with a six (6) month extension, (c) Allowed Use: These signs are intended for the original sale, rental, or lease of property divided into 10 or more lots or for a newly created multi-family complex of 10 or more units for sale, rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Renton. The Development Services Division may also approve these signs for use by multi-family complexes that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten (10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. The real estate directional sign permit shall not be approved if the development is 75% or more occupied or sold. (d) Allowable Sign Type: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign. (e) Maximum Size: Twelve (12) square feet on one face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2) miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2) real estate directional skins shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one skin per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional skins shall be placed no closer than five hundred (500) feet to any other real estate directional sign and no closer than 100 feet to an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. iii. REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (Within the City Center Skin Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100H3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. When located in the public right-of-way an applicant must have the approval of the abutting property owner or representative if the abutting property owner or representative is maintaining the right-of-way where the sign is proposed to be located. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of six (6) months with a six (6) month extension, (c) Allowed Use: These signs are intended for the original sale, rental, or lease of property divided into 10 or more lots or for a newly created multi-family development of 10 or more units for sale, rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Renton. The Development Services Division may also approve these signs for use by multi-family developments that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten (10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. The real estate directional sign permit shall not be approved if the development is 75% occupied or sold, (d) Allowable Sian Type: Any non-illuminated freestanding skin and A-frame signs. (e) Maximum Size: thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32 inches by 36 inches) per face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2) miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises, Skins may be placed no closer than four(4)feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2) real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one skin per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional skins shall be placed no closer than one-hundred (100) feet to any other real estate directional sign and fifty (50) feet from an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J2c, regarding on-premise real estate signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate signs and on-premise real estate signs in order to provide the development/real estate community with greater flexibility of sign location, duration and placement. The proposed regulations would also provide Code Enforcement staff with appropriate measures to control real estate signs. One example of an on-premise real estate sign is a freestanding real estate sign (what is typically seen '4rr' in the front yard of a house that is for sale or rent). These signs are generally smaller in size and do not require a sign permit. c. ON PREMISES REAL ESTATE SIGNS i. FREESTANDING REAL ESTATE SIGN (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: For the period of time the property is for sale, rent or lease. For multi-family complexes of five (5) or more units the freestanding real estate sign shall not be allowed if the development is 75% occupied or sold. (c) Allowed Use: For real estate that is for sale, rent or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign indicating that the property, which the skin is located on is for sale, rent or lease, (e) Maximum Size: 1. For lots thirty-five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area: Six (6) square feet in area per face; or 2. For lots greater than thirty-five 135,000) square feet in area; Thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face, (f) Sign Location; These signs must be located on the premise that is for sale, rent or lease. These signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number: One (1) skin per street frontage. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade, • RMC 4-4-100J2cii, regarding on-premise real estate signs. Staff proposes new real estate sign code language that distinguishes between residential and commercial development. Specifically, the commercial development community has indicated a preference for commercial real estate banner signs (placed on the building); however, the residential development community prefers these types of signs as special event signs (i.e. grand opening) instead of temporary real estate signs. Therefore, staff has drafted proposed commercial banner real estate sign language that provides commercial buildings with an opportunity to display this type of sign, provided they comply with the sign location and duration requirements. ii. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BANNER SIGNS: (a) Permit Requirements; Permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve (12) months. (c) Allowed Use: For sale rent, or lease of commercial property. Real Estate Banners shall not be utilized by residential development. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A skin of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material. The skin must indicate "For Sale, Rent, or Lease." (e) Maximum Size: Fifty (50) square feet. (f) Sian Location; Only permissible when mounted to a building that is for sale, rent, or lease, (g) Maximum Number: One (1) per street frontage. • RMC 4-4-100J3, regarding garage sale signs. Staff proposes to add garage sale sign language to the temporary sign section of the municipal code in order to provide citizens with clear guidelines as to the location and duration of garage sales signs. As such, staff is not proposing any additional permits for garage sale signs but is instead clarifying where and for how long those signs may be displayed. 3. Garage Sale Signs: (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the sale and a maximum of twenty-four (24) hours after the sale is completed. (c) Allowed Uses: For directing potential customers to the garage sale site. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign or an A-frame sign. (e) Maximum Size: Thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32" x 36" inches). (f) Sign Location: Signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The signs shall not be attached to utility poles, traffic controlling devises or any other public structure. (q) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J6a, regarding Event Sign Applicability. Staff proposes to add "residential"to the applicability section of the event signs, which would allow residential uses to utilize temporary event signage. 6. Event Signs: a. Applicability: Commercial, industrial, residential, public, and quasi-public uses and mixed-use developments (commercial combined with multi-family residential) may display event signage in compliance with the following regulations. These regulations apply to use of signs for grand opening events or for periodic special events.... • RMC 4-4-1000, regarding violations and penalties. Staff proposes to add this section to the sign code in order to successfully levy penalties against sign code violators. U. Violations of this Chapter and Penalties: Penalties for any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be in accord with Chapter 1-3 RMC, • RMC 4-11-110, regarding real estate sign definitions. Staff proposes to add four new real estate sign definitions in order to assist City staff and the community with interpreting the revised real estate sign code. J. Real Estate Signs: 1. Commercial Real Estate Banner Sign: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a building by any means, and indicating that the property is for sale, rent, or lease. National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 2. Decorative Real Estate Flag: A portion of lightweight fabric or similar material , supported by a vertical or horizontal staff, intended to flutter in the wind, and is used to attract attention to any type of residential development for sale, rent, or lease. National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 3. Freestanding Real Estate Signs: Any type of non-illuminated freestanding sign, indicating that the property on which it is located, is for sale, rent, or lease. This sign type includes yardarm or ground signs. 4. Open House Sign: A non-illuminated type of portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A," no larger than 4 square feet in surface area for each sign face. The sign text for an Open House Sian contains the phrase: "open house" or"for sale" or"for rent" or"for lease." 5. Real Estate Directional Sion: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign that provides direction to property(ies) for sale, rent, or lease. Within the City Center Skin Regulation Boundaries (as shown in RMC 4-4-100H3) real estate directional skins may also include portable signs comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A". JAI(. Sign, Rigid Portable: A sign which is not permanently affixed and designed for or capable of movement. Those signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their persons or which are permanently affixed to motor vehicles are considered to be rigid portable signs. A rigid portable sign is not considered to be a portable readerboard or"trailer sign." KL. Sign, Window: Any sign, temporary or permanent, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window. Interior display of merchandise for sale, including accessory mannequins and other props, shall not be considered window signs. &M. Wind-Animated Object: Any device, e.g., windsocks, pinwheels, whirligigs, etc., whose primary movements are caused by the wind or atmospheric conditions, attached by a tether. A balloon or inflatable statuary, with or without moveable parts, is not considered a wind-animated object. • RMC 4-1-140M3 regarding real estate sign fees. Staff proposes to amend the sign permit fees as noted below. While some of the fees are proposed to increase; the duration of the permit validity in some cases has been extended. RMC 4-1-140M3 TEMPORARY AND Fee Amount PORTABLE SIGNS: Real Estate Directional Signs $25.00 per sign, permit valid for a six (6) month period with pursuant to RMC 4-4-100J2 a six (6) month renewal fee of $25.00 Grand Opening Event Signs, $25.00 per site, per opening pursuant to RMC 4-4- 100J6d(1) Event Signs, pursuant to $15.00 per type of sign RMC 4-4-100J6d(2) and (3) identified in RMC 4-4-100J6b, per promotion A-Frame Signs, pursuant to $100.00 for the first sign and RMC 4-4-100J5 $50.00 for each additional sign, for a 12-month period Commercial Property Real $50 per sign, permit valid for Estate Banner a 12-month period Decorative Flags $20 per entrance, permit valid until flaq(s) removed Conclusion: The proposed code amendments outlined above represent revisions to the real estate sign code that is more in line with current real estate industry standards, while taking into consideration neighborhood impacts along with enforceability of the code. In addition, staff has attempted to carefully consider which signs should be subject to a sign permit and the amount of staff time involved with each permit. This provided staff with a baseline of what each required sign permit fee might be in terms of actual dollars spent on processing the permits. If you have specific questions about this proposal, please feel free to contact Jason Jordan at(425)430-7219. ...RECEIVED JUL 302003 CITY OF RENTON RENTON C�, tL PLANNING/BUILDING/PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM CITY OF RENTON 0 2003 DATE: July 30, 2003 RECEIVED CITY _OFFICE S OFFICE TO: Planning and Development Committee FROM: Real Estate Sign Design Team STAFF CONTACT: Jason Jord�r�i c7219 SUBJECT: Real Estate Sign Code Revisions ISSUE: The Real Estate Signs Design Review Team has developed a series of recommended amendments to Chapter 4 of Title 4 as part of its review of the existing Real Estate Sign Code. These recommended amendments respond to issues that have been presented to Council from home and business owners throughout the City, and have been identified by staff as necessary code amendments. Some of the amendments include modifying the size and location of off-premise real estate signs, clarifying which real estate signs are prohibited, and adding real estate sign definitions. The amendments are being proposed in a continuing effort to clarify and/or simplify the City's zoning and development regulations, while ensuring that critical regulations are clearly stated, readily available and enforceable. This issue paper is slightly different from the standard issue paper format. Recommended amendments are bulleted below, followed by code text amendments shown in underline and strike-through legislative format. RECOMMENDATION: • RMC 4-4-100B6o, relating to exceptions from permit requirements: Staff recommends amending this section of the sign code to coincide with the proposed sign code changes. Specifically, staff is recommending that open house signs, freestanding signs and garage sale signs be exempt from having to obtain a sign permit. This modification is necessary as some of the real estate signs require sign permits, while others don't. o. Real Estate Signs: Open House signs, Free Standing skins and Garage Sale signs as described in Subsection J. • RMC 4-4-100B6h, relating to Garage Sale Signs. Staff recommends adding "Garage Sale Signs"to the list of signs that are exempt from sign permit requirements. Staff also recommends adding a reference to the location of the revised garage sale sign information within the code. This amendment would clarify that garage sale signs are exempt. The amendment also directs users to the applicable garage sale sign code requirements. Lastly, staff recommends inserting garage sale signs in alphabetical order as shown below. h. Garage Sale Signs (See RMC 4-4-100J3) #i. Holiday Displays: Temporary signs and decorations customary for special holidays, observed by the federal, state or municipal government erected entirely on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) +j. Memorial Signs: Memorial signs or tables, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials. (Ord. 4629, 8-19-1996; Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) jk. Modifications Not Requiring Structural or Electrical Changes: i. Outside of City Center: Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure or the changing of the advertising copy or message thereon shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical change is made. (Ord. 4629, 8-19-1996; Amd. Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998) ii. Inside City Center Sign Regulation Boundaries: Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical change is made. A change of sign face shall be subject to permit requirements. (Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998; Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) Open House Signs. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) I•m. Political Signs: Political signs less than twelve (12) square feet on one face as herein defined. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 94n. Public Art: Sculptures, wall paintings, murals, collages, banners and other design features which do not incorporate advertising or identification, consistent with the provisions and procedures of the Public Art Exemption, RMC 4-9-160. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) CIO. Public Service Signs: Nonadvertising and nonpromotional signs such as citizen recognition signs, neighborhood welcome signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, or other signs of similar nature as determined by the Development Services Division. Such signs may be located in any zone and shall require approval of the Development Services Division. These signs may be located on or over public rights-of-way with approval of the sign placement by the City of Renton Transportation Systems Division. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) ep. Real Estate Signs: Real estate signs offering the immediately adjacent premises for sale, lease or rent and not exceeding six (6) square feet in area on one face or less in area for lots thirty five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area, and not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in area on one face for lots over thirty five thousand (35,000) square feet in area. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) pg. Safety Information Signs: Signs of public service companies indicating danger and/or service or safety information. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) fir. Small Parking and Traffic Control Signs: Parking and traffic control signs two (2) square feet or less on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) Cs. Small Wall Signs: One on-premises sign, not electrical or illuminated, two (2) square feet or less on one face which is affixed permanently on a plane parallel to the wall on the wall located entirely on private property. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) st. Weekend and Holiday Display Signage for Vehicle and Vessel Sales in the Auto Mall Overlay Districts: Balloons, with no limit on size or number per site, may be displayed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, federal legal holidays and December 26— 31. (Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) tu. Banner Signage for Vehicle and Vessel Sales in the Auto Mall Overlay Districts: Wall-hung and pole-hung banners are permitted as follows: i. Wall-Hung Banner Size and Location Limitations: Wall-hung banners shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in size. There are no restrictions on the number per wall or number per site. Wall-hung banners shall not cover up permanent signage or address numbers. ii. Pole-Hung Banner Size and Location Limitations: Pole-hung banners shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in size. No more than one pole-hung banner shall be located on any on-site pole or light standard. There are no restrictions on the number of pole-hung banners per site. (Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C4, regarding exceptions from prohibited signs and devices. Staff suggests an amendment to allow"decorative real estate flags" This change is necessary as developers have begun utilizing decorative flags to denote the entrance to their subdivisions. 4. Devices of a Carnival Nature: Balloons, flags, pennants/streamers, wind-animated objects, searchlights, inflatable statuary, and similar devices of a carnival nature except as specifically provided in subsections B6, Exemptions from Permit Requirements, E4• Decorative Real Estate Flags and J6, Event Signs, of this Section. (Amd. Ord. 4848, 6- 26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C98,10, regarding signs located within the public right-of-way and off premise signs. Staff suggests a text amendment, which clarifies that certain temporary real estate signs are allowed within the public right-of-way and can be located off- premises. 9. Signs on Public Right-of-Way: Signs on public right-of-way other than temporary and portable signs allowed by subsectionJ-1-61-RFefestien-ef-TempeFaPi-Gleth-Signeat , J, of this Section; and subsections B6b, City Sponsored Signs; B6c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; B6n, Public Service Signs; B6p, Safety Information Signs; and I, Signs on Public Right-of-Way, of this Section. (Ord. 3719, 4-11-1983; Amd. Ord. 4832, 3-6-2000; Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) 10. Off-Premises Signs: Except temporary and portable signs allowed by subsections , J.of this Section; City sponsored signs and public service signs per subsections B6b, City Sponsored Signs; B6c, City Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Signs and Displays; and B6n, Public Service Signs, of this Section. (Ord. 4172, 9-12-1988; Amd. Ord. 4629, 8-19- 1996; Ord. 4832, 3-6-2000; Ord. 4848, 6-26-2000) • RMC 4-4-100C16, regarding prohibited real estate signs. Staff suggests new text, which clarifies the types of real estate signs that are prohibited within the City. Staff believes that this section (Prohibited Signs and Devices) is the most appropriate section to place prohibited real estate signs. 16. Real Estate Signs: a. Any off-premise real estate skin, except open house and real estate directional skins. b. In no case, shall any real estate skin be less than four (4) square feet, except for open house skins. b,c. Any off-premise real estate sign located at the same intersection corner, or location as an approved Public Service Skin or Public Art . s:d. Any real estate sign closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway. e. Any real estate skin placed in a manner as to constitute a public safety hazard as determined by the Development Services Division. • RMC 4-4-100E4ai, regarding decorative flags located on properties developed as apartment buildings and subdivisions. Staff suggests a text amendment, which allows apartments and subdivisions to erect decorative real estate flags at entrances to their developments. Staff has noted a proliferation of these decorative flags throughout the City, however, they are not currently allowed nor does the City require a sign permit. These proposed modifications would allow the decorative flags subject to the approval of a sign permit. i. Decorative Flags: Apartment buildings, residential subdivision developments and similar occupancies located in residential and mixed-use zones may also display decorative flags in accordance with the following requirements: (a) Permit Requirements: Permit Required. (b) Sign Type: A lightweight fabric or similar material that contains no text or logos, supported by a vertical or horizontal staff. (c) Allowed Uses: Multi-family residential complexes and subdivisions of 10 or more units or lots. (d) Maximum Size: Each flag shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet. (e) Maximum Height: Flags, including the supports, shall not exceed the height limitations for the zone in which it is located. (f) Sign/Pole Location: Only permissible when located within one hundred (100) feet of the entrance to a subdivision or a multi-family development. The sign/pole shall be located on the development premises and shall be setback a minimum of one-foot from the property line for each foot in height. • RMC 4-4-100E4c&d, regarding real estate sign permits. Staff proposes to eliminate this section of the code as it is discussed under the revised real estate sign permit section. ec. Temporary Signs: Temporary signs per subsection J of this Section are allowed, except for cloth signs over public right-of-way. (Ord. 3719, 4-11-1983; Amd. Ord. 4172, 9-12-1988; Amd. Ord. 4720, 5-4-1998) fd. Public Facilities (Public Buildings, Schools, Parks and Recreation Facilities): Each individual public facility may have one freestanding electronic or manual message board, a maximum of twenty five feet (25') in height and one hundred fifty (150) square feet in size. In addition to the message board sign, each individual facility may have one freestanding sign not higher than six feet (6') above any established grade for each street frontage and no more than one hundred (100) square feet. Freestanding signs shall be no closer than ten feet (10') to any street right-of-way or five feet (5') to any side property line. In addition to the freestanding signs, wall signs are permitted with a total copy area not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the building facade to which it is applied. (Ord. 4766, 3-1-1999) • RMC 4-4-100J2-3, regarding real estate sign permits. Staff proposes to completely revise this portion of the real estate sign code so that the code is more in line with existing real estate industry standards and expectations. The following represents the deletion of the existing real estate code language, which is then followed by new real estate code language. 0 „ • RMC 4-4-100J2, regarding prohibited real estate signs. Staff proposes to add prohibited real estate signs within the real estate sign code section of Chapter 4, Title 4. This would clarify which real estate signs are not allowed within the City limits (please note that these prohibited signs are also proposed to be listed under prohibited signs, general). 2. Real Estate Signs : a. PROHIBITED REAL ESTATE SIGNS: i. See RMC4-4-100C16 ii. No balloons or other attention-attracting devices may be attached to real estate signs. • RMC 4-4-100J2b, regarding off-premise open house real estate signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate signs amongst other types of real estate signs. One example of an off-premise sign is an open house sign. Staff has attempted to clarify the display duration and location of off-premise signs. b. OFF-PREMISE REAL ESTATE SIGNS: i. OPEN HOUSE SIGNS (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: In no case shall an open house sign be displayed longer than any 12 hours in a 24 hour period. A seller or their representative shall be present at the property for sale, rent or lease, while the open house sign is being displayed. (c) Allowed Use: For directing potential customers to the site of real estate that is for sale, rent, or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter "A". The sign text must include the words "open house", "for sale", "for rent", or"for lease". `so y r (e) Maximum Size: Four (4) square feet in surface area for each face of the sign. (f) Sign Location: Skins may be placed no closer than 4 feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number: Four(4) off-premises skins per property for sale, rent or lease. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed 10 feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J2bii-iii, regarding off-premise real estate directional signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate directional signs outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary and inside the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary. Developers have stressed that downtown projects require different real estate sign requirements than developments located outside of the downtown area. Therefore, staff is proposing two real estate directional sign standards (outside and inside the downtown), which are very similar except for sign location and spacing. ii. REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (Outside of the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100H3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. When located in the public right-of-way an applicant must have the approval of the abutting property owner or representative. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve (12) months. (c) Allowed Use: These skins are intended for the original sale, rental, or lease of property divided into 10 or more lots or for a newly created multi-family complex of 10 or more units for sale, rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Renton. The Development Services Division may also approve these skins for use by multi-family complexes that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten (10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. The real estate directional sign permit shall not be approved if the development is 75% or more occupied or sold. (d) Allowable Sign Type: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign. (e) Maximum Size: Twelve (12) square feet on one face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2) miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four(4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2) real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one sign per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional signs shall be placed no closer than five hundred (500) feet to any other real estate directional sign and no closer than 100 feet to an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. iii. REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (Within the City Center Sign Regulation Boundary as depicted in RMC 4-4-100H3): (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. When located in the public right-of-way an applicant must have the approval of the abutting property owner or representative. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve (12) months. (c) Allowed Use: These skins are intended for the original sale, rental, or lease of property divided into 10 or more lots or for a newly created multi-family development of 10 or more units for sale, rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Renton. The Development Services Division may also approve these signs for use by multi-family developments that have completed major renovation in excess of 50% of appraised structure value of at least ten (10) rental units located within the corporate limits of Renton. The real estate directional skin permit shall not be approved if the development is 75% occupied or sold. (d) Allowable Sion Type: Any non-illuminated freestanding sign and A-frame skins. (e) Maximum Size: thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32 inches by 36 inches) per face. (f) Sign Location: Must be within two (2) miles (driving distance on a public roadway) of the premises it advertises. Signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number Per Intersection: A maximum of two (2) real estate directional signs shall be allowed at any one intersection and only one sign per development shall be allowed at each intersection. (h) Minimum Spacing Between Intersections: Real estate directional signs shall be placed no closer than one-hundred (100) feet to any other real estate directional sign and fifty (50) feet from an intersection. (i) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J2c, regarding on-premise real estate signs. Staff proposes to distinguish between off-premise real estate signs and on-premise real estate signs in order to provide the development/real estate community with greater flexibility of sign location, duration and placement. The proposed regulations would also provide Code Enforcement staff with appropriate measures to control real estate signs. One example of an on-premise real estate sign is a freestanding real estate sign (what is typically seen in the front yard of a house that is for sale or rent). These signs are generally smaller in size and do not require a sign permit. c. ON PREMISES REAL ESTATE SIGNS i. FREESTANDING REAL ESTATE SIGN (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: For the period of time the property is for sale, rent or lease. For multi-family complexes of five (5) or more units the freestanding real estate sign shall not be allowed if the development is 75% occupied or sold. (c) Allowed Use: For real estate that is for sale, rent or lease. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign indicating that the property, which the sign is located on is for sale, rent or lease. (e) Maximum Size: 1. For lots thirty-five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area: Six (6) square feet in area per face; or 2. For lots greater than thirty-five (35,000) square feet in area: Thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face. *ow Nov (f) Sign Location: These signs must be located on the premise that is for sale, rent or lease. These signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (g) Maximum Number: One (1) sign per street frontage. (h) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J2cii, regarding on-premise real estate signs. Staff proposes new real estate sign code language that distinguishes between residential and commercial development. Specifically, the commercial development community has indicated a preference for commercial real estate banner signs (placed on the building); however, the residential development community prefers these types of signs as special event signs (i.e. grand opening) instead of temporary real estate signs. Therefore, staff has drafted proposed commercial banner real estate sign language that provides commercial buildings with an opportunity to display this type of sign, provided they comply with the sign location and duration requirements. ii. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BANNER SIGNS: (a) Permit Requirements: Permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twelve (12) months. (c) Allowed Use: For sale rent, or lease of commercial property. Real Estate Banners shall not be utilized by residential development. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material. The sign must indicate "For Sale, Rent, or Lease." (e) Maximum Size: Fifty (50) square feet. (f) Sign Location: Only permissible when mounted to a building that is for sale, rent, or lease. (g) Maximum Number: One (1) per street frontage. • RMC 4-4-100J3, regarding garage sale signs. Staff proposes to add garage sale sign language to the temporary sign section of the municipal code in order to provide citizens with clear guidelines as to the location and duration of garage sales signs. As such, staff is not proposing any additional permits for garage sale signs but is instead clarifying where and for how long those signs may be displayed. 3. Garage Sale Signs: (a) Permit Requirements: No permit required. (b) Maximum Display Period: Maximum of twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the sale and a maximum of twenty-four (24) hours after the sale is completed. (c) Allowed Uses: For directing potential customers to the garage sale site. (d) Allowable Sign Type: A non-illuminated freestanding sign or an A-frame sign. (e) Maximum Size: Thirty-two inches wide by thirty-six inches tall (32" x 36" inches). (f) Sign Location: Signs may be placed no closer than four (4) feet to the edge of a public roadway, provided that they do not obstruct the vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The signs shall not be attached to utility poles, traffic controlling devises or any other public structure. (q) Maximum Height: Shall not exceed ten (10) feet from finished grade. • RMC 4-4-100J6a, regarding Event Sign Applicability. Staff proposes to add "residential"to the applicability section of the event signs, which would allow residential uses to utilize temporary event signage. 4,400, 6. Event Signs: a. Applicability: Commercial, industrial, residential, public, and quasi-public uses and mixed-use developments (commercial combined with multi-family residential) may display event signage in compliance with the following regulations. These regulations apply to use of signs for grand opening events or for periodic special events.... • RMC 4-4-1000, regarding violations and penalties. Staff proposes to add this section to the sign code in order to successfully levy penalties against sign code violators. U. Violations of this Chapter and Penalties: Penalties for any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be in accord with Chapter 1-3 RMC. • RMC 4-11-110, regarding real estate sign definitions. Staff proposes to add four new real estate sign definitions in order to assist City staff and the community with interpreting the revised real estate sign code. J. Real Estate Signs: 1. Commercial Real Estate Banner Sign: A sign of any shape made of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a building by any means, and indicating that the property is for sale, rent, or lease. National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 2. Decorative Real Estate Flag: A portion of lightweight fabric or similar material containing no text or logos, supported by a vertical or horizontal staff, intended to flutter in the wind, and is used to attract attention to any type of residential development for sale, rent, or lease. National flags, state or municipal flags, holiday flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. 2. Freestanding Real Estate Signs: Any type of non-illuminated freestanding sign, indicating that the property on which it is located, is for sale, rent, or lease. This sign type includes yardarm or ground signs. 3. Open House Sign: A non-illuminated type of portable sign comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A," no larger than 4 square feet in surface area for each sign face. The sign text for an Open House Sign contains the phrase: "open house" or"for sale" or"for rent" or"for lease." 4. Real Estate Directional Sign: Any non-illuminated type of freestanding sign that provides direction to property(ies) for sale, rent, or lease. Within the City Center Sign Regulation Boundaries (as shown in RMC 4-4-100H3) real estate directional signs may also include portable signs comprised of hinged panels configured in the shape of the alphabetic letter"A". JK. Sign, Rigid Portable: A sign which is not permanently affixed and designed for or capable of movement. Those signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their persons or which are permanently affixed to motor vehicles are considered to be rigid portable signs. A rigid portable sign is not considered to be a portable readerboard or"trailer sign." KL. Sign, Window: Any sign, temporary or permanent, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window. Interior display of merchandise for sale, including accessory mannequins and other props, shall not be considered window signs. tM. Wind-Animated Object: Any device, e.g., windsocks, pinwheels, whirligigs, etc., whose primary movements are caused by the wind or atmospheric conditions, attached by a tether. A balloon or inflatable statuary, with or without moveable parts, is not considered a wind-animated object. • RMC 4-1-140M3 regarding real estate sign fees. Staff proposes to amend the sign permit fees as noted below. While some of the fees are proposed to increase; the duration of the permit validity in some cases has been extended. RMC 4-1-140M3 TEMPORARY AND Fee Amount PORTABLE SIGNS: Real Estate Directional Signs $100 per sign, permit valid for a 12-month period$15.00-{ r pursuant to RMC 4-4-100J2 Grand Opening Event Signs, $25.00 per site, per opening pursuant to RMC 4-4- 100J6d(1) Event Signs, pursuant to $15.00 per type of sign RMC 4-4-100J6d(2) and (3) identified in RMC 4-4-100J6b, per promotion A-Frame Signs, pursuant to $100.00 for the first sign and RMC 4-4-100J5 $50.00 for each additional sign, for a 12-month period Commercial Property Real $50 per sign, permit valid for Estate Banner a 12-month period Decorative Flags $20 per flag, permit valid until flag removed Conclusion: The proposed code amendments outlined above represent revisions to the real estate sign code that is more in line with current real estate industry standards, while taking into consideration neighborhood impacts along with enforceability of the code. In addition, staff has attempted to carefully consider which signs should be subject to a sign permit and the amount of staff time involved with each permit. This provided staff with a baseline of what each required sign permit fee might be in terms of actual dollars spent on processing the permits. If you have specific questions about this proposal, please feel free to contact Jason Jordan at (425) 430-7219. January 6,2003 Renton City Council Minutes `'P.' Page 6 Utility: Apollo Lift Station, Wastewater Utility Division recommended approval of the transfer of Transfer of Ownership to City ownership of the Apollo Lift Station,located within Renton's service area on the East Renton Plateau, from Water District 90 and Issaquah School District to the City of Renton. Refer to Utilities Committee. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS Past Planning and Development Committee Chair Keolker-Wheeler presented a Planning & Development report regarding temporary signs obscuring neighborhood signs. The Committee Committee has received an update from the Development Services Division on Development Services: the issue of temporary real estate signs obscuring established neighborhood Temporary Signs Obscuring signs. The real estate directional signs, which were blocking the view of the Neighborhood Signs new Maplewood Glen neighborhood sign on Maple Valley Hwy.,have been moved as requested by staff. The Development Services Division has also instituted an interim policy prohibiting future installation of permitted real estate signs which obscure the view of public signs,including neighborhood entry signs. Staff is working on proposed City Code changes for real estate signs,and will report to the Committee on recommended Code revisions at a later date. The Committee recommended that this item remain in Committee pending further review and possible Code revisions to further address this issue. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY BRIERE,COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. Development Services: Fence Past Planning and Development Committee Chair Keolker-Wheeler presented a Height Regulations report regarding the maximum residential fence height regulations. The Committee met to review and discuss potential revisions to the maximum residential fence height regulations established in City Code Title IV (Development Regulations). Currently, City Code limits the height of residential fences to a maximum of four feet when located adjacent to a public street. The Committee met in April to discuss possible changes to the fence height regulations. The Committee recommended that a public hearing be conducted, which occurred on May 6, 2002. Committee members subsequently toured several residential neighborhoods in November and directed staff to address setback, landscaping and fencing material requirements. Staff has drafted revised fence standards,which would allow residents to apply for a Special Administrative Fence Permit in order to construct six-foot high fences when located within a front yard or side yard along a street setback. The permits would be issued on a case-by-case basis provided the applicant demonstrates the fence is constructed with appropriate fencing material;the fence is sufficiently screened;and the finished side of the fence is oriented toward the streetscape.* At the request of Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler,Associate Planner Jason Jordan provided a briefing on this matter. He explained that there are many different types of fences,both conforming and non-conforming,throughout Renton. He reviewed the current regulations,and stated that in their review of the issue, the Planning and Development Committee considered privacy, safety, fence treatment,and setbacks with and without landscaping. Mr.Jordan concluded by saying that the recommendation is to change the residential fence January 6,2003 ` Renton City Council Minutes Page 7 height regulations,and allow the Development Services Division to approve Special Administrative Fence Permits. *MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* Responding to Councilman Corman's concerns about sight distance safety,Ms. Keolker-Wheeler emphasized that safety will be taken into account when each individual situation is reviewed. Councilman Parker stressed that these changes do not compromise any existing sight safety standards. Responding to Councilwoman Nelson's inquiry regarding prior non-conforming fences,Mr.Jordan stated that those with non-conforming fences can apply for the Special Administrative Fence Permit. In response to Councilman Clawson's question,Ms. Keolker-Wheeler confirmed that the Committee reviewed existing sight distance standards. She noted that the fence height standard can be changed only if it meets the criteria as required by the Special Administrative Fence Permit. *MOTION CARRIED. Planning: Neighborhood& Past Planning and Development Committee Chair Keolker-Wheeler presented a Business Design Standards report regarding neighborhood and business design standards. In a letter to the City Council on August 14,2001,former Planning Commissioner Rich Wagner outlined issues for discussion in the future. The Committee recommended that these issues be addressed as outlined below: 1) What does Renton want to be in 2020 and 2025? This issue will be addressed during the 2003 Comprehensive Plan update. 2) Urban Design and Streetscape Design. This issue will be addressed through the discussion of the community design policies during the Comprehensive Plan update. The Economic Development,Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department has developed a draft new element for the Comprehensive Plan that will address Citywide design issues. 3) Downtown Pedestrian Frontages. This issue will be addressed during the review of downtown policies and the City Council gave direction to expand the length of the pedestrian corridor. The issue will be taken up during the 2003 Title IV(Development Regulations)docket review. 4) Automall Amenities Package. This issue was to be a future phase of the Automall relying on private investment based on public guidelines. The standards are adopted in City Code. Additional phases will require a new work program. 5) Neighborhood Identify. Several concepts have been suggested during the current Comprehensive Plan amendment process that could lead to incentive programs for reinforcing neighborhood identity. Renton's Neighborhood Program also works with community groups to this end. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY BRIERE,COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. CARRIED. December 9,2002 Noire Renton City Council Minutes `.rW Page 473 Ordinance#4989 An ordinance was read establishing the property tax levy for the year 2003 for Finance: 2003 Property Tax both general purposes and for voter approved bond issues. MOVED BY Levy NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN,COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#4990 An ordinance was read amending Chapter 4,City-Wide Property Development Planning: Employment Area Standards,of Title IV(Development Regulations)of City Code to allow a Valley,Freestanding Sign freestanding sign height of 115 feet,for big-box retail developments of 350,000 Code Amendment square feet in building area or more, in the Employment Area Valley. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN,COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#4991 An ordinance was read amending Chapter 3,Environmental Regulations and Planning: Urban Center Overlay Districts,of Title IV(Development Regulations)of City Code to apply Design Overlay Regulations, Urban Center Design Guidelines to multi-family projects of two to four units, Application to Small Multi- and to properties rezoned from Commercial Office(CO)to Center Downtown Family Projects (CD)and Residential Multi-Family Urban(RM-U)as a result of the South Renton Neighborhood Plan. MOVED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN,COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. Ordinance#4992 An ordinance was read amending Section 4-3-050 of Chapter 3,Environmental Utility: Aquifer Protection Regulations and Special Districts; Section 4-4-060 of Chapter 4,Property Code Amendments Development Standards; Section 4-8-120 of Chapter 8,Permits and'Decisions; and Section 4-9-015 of Chapter 9,Procedures and Review Criteria; of Title IV (Development Regulations)of City Code by amending aquifer protection regulations. MOVED BY BRIERE,SECONDED BY CORMAN,COUNCIL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS READ. ROLL CALL: ALL AYES. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS Stating that she attended the Maplewood Glen neighborhood sign dedication, Development Services: Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler reported a problem concerning the blockage Temporary Signs Obscuring of the new neighborhood sign by temporary real estate signs. MOVED BY Established Neighborhood KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY BRIERE, COUNCIL REFER THE Signs ISSUE OF TEMPORARY SIGNS NEAR ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNS TO THE PLANNING&DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. CARRIED. Citizen Comment: Fagan— Councilman Clawson noted the receipt of a letter from Rick Fagan,Director of Temporary Office Space Fagan Recovery Solutions,23220 Maple Valley Hwy.,Suite 204,Maple Donation Valley, 98038,concerning the recent closing of the Cedar Hills Substance Abuse Treatment Center due to King County's budgetary constraints. Mr. Fagan reported that while he is negotiating with King County to acquire the facility, temporary office space is needed; and he requested that the City donate temporary office space. Responding to Councilman Clawson's inquiry, Mayor Tanner reported that Community Services Administrator Jim Shepherd will respond to Mr. Fagan's letter informing him of the City's inability to provide the office space; however, he commended Mr. Fagan on his efforts to continue the treatment center. Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler suggested that the Economic Development, Neighborhoods and Strategic Planning Department may be able to assist Mr. Fagan in obtaining an office space donation. December 9,2002 Renton City Council Minutes Page 472 MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN,COUNCIL CONCUR IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT.* In response to Councilwoman Keolker-Wheeler's inquiry,Finance and Information Services Administrator Victoria Runkle confirmed that the committed expenditures are in the amount of$142,401,100,and the reserves will increase by$98,000. *MOTION CARRIED. (See later this page for ordinance.) ORDINANCES AND The following resolution was presented for reading and adoption: RESOLUTIONS Resolution#3607 A resolution was read supporting Councilwoman Kathy Keolker-Wheeler for SCA: Regional Committee the Growth Management Planning Council and Regional Policy Committee, Nomination Process and Councilman King Parker for the Regional Water Quality Committee. MOVED BY CORMAN, SECONDED BY NELSON,COUNCIL ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS READ. CARRIED. The following ordinances were presented for first reading and referred to the Council meeting of 12/16/2002 for second and final reading: Budget: 2003 Annual City of An ordinance was read adopting the City of Renton Annual Budget for the year Renton 2003 in the total amount of$142,401,100. MOVED BY NELSON, SECONDED BY KEOLKER-WHEELER,COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/16/2002. CARRIED. Community Services: 2003 An ordinance was read increasing the non-resident recreation fees for 2003. Recreation Fees for Non- MOVED BY CLAWSON, SECONDED BY CORMAN,COUNCIL REFER Residents THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/16/2002. CARRIED. Finance: 2003 Sewer Rates An ordinance was read amending Section 8-5-15, Sewer Charges,of Chapter 5, Increase Sewers,of Title VIII(Health and Sanitation)of City Code by a 3%rate increase. MOVED BY BRIERE,SECONDED BY CLAWSON,COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/16/2002. CARRIED. Comprehensive Plan: 2002 An ordinance was read adopting the 2002 amendments to the City's 1995 Amendment,Springbrook Comprehensive Plan,maps and data in conjunction therewith. MOVED BY Associates KEOLKER-WHEELER, SECONDED BY CORMAN, COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/16/2002. CARRIED. Rezone: Springbrook An ordinance was read changing the zoning classification of approximately Associates, S 37th St, CO to 5.61 acres located south of S. 37th St., and west of the dead-end at S. 38th St. R-10 west of Talbot Rd. S. from Commercial Office(CO)to Residential Options (RO)Residential - 10(R-10; ten dwelling units per acre)zoning; Springbrook Associates (CPA 2002-M-07),File No. R-01-162. MOVED BY KEOLKER- WHEELER, SECONDED BY BRIERE,COUNCIL REFER THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING ON 12/16/2002. CARRIED. The following ordinances were presented for second and final reading and adoption: