7.1 SR 04-15-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Commission directed staff to review the impacts of grade along the corridor and provide an analysis to improve understanding of the impacts along the corridor. The greatest impact on visibility occurs around the interchanges at Main St./Hwy 169 and 193rd/Hwy 169. In these locations, adjacent commercial properties are 20 feet or more below the grade of Highway 169. Under the current ordinance, signs in these locations could be 50 feet tall, placing them approximately 30 feet above the highway grade, the current height limit. The Commission also discussed the nighttime impacts of the lights on taller signs. Staff drove the periphery of the 169 Redefine project after dark, specifically the residential neighborhoods, observing the visibility of freestanding signs and their lighting impacts. Generally, lights from existing freestanding signs are lost in a sea of other light sources from streetlights, parking lot lights, traffic lights, freeway lights, wall signage, covered canopy lights, and general building lighting inside and out. Many of the residential areas on the west side of Highway 169 have mature trees screening the light from the commercial corridor and, at times, it was difficult to locate the brighter freestanding signs from these neighborhoods. While lighting from taller signs is a concern, with the modest increase in height proposed by staff, the signs will generally blend into the abundant light pollution already in these commercial areas. Finally, as a note regarding the recommended height limit of 40 feet above the highway grade, staff received a call from a recent applicant, noting that the height of the existing McDonald's sign was 50 feet tall. The staff then measured the height of the existing Burger King sign and found that their sign was also approximately 50 feet tall. While the recommendation from staff is an increase of 10 feet over the current regulation, the 40- foot limit is still shorter than some of the existing signs along the corridor. The Planning Commission reviewed the additional information during their March 26, 2024, Regular Meeting and unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance as drafted. Financial Impact None Mission/Policy/Goal Supports the growth and development of the business community. Agile, responding to the changing needs of the city. Attachments I. Sign Elevation Exhibit 2. Highway Elevation Exhibits 3. Ordinance Amendment Document 4. Presentation to City Council Page 143 of 201