Design Review Decision 09-0710.pdfr ED
CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5`h Avenue North - Edmonds, WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 - Fax: 425.771.0221 - Web: www.ci.edmonds.wa.us
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT: PLANNING DIVISION
ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGN REVIEW
- STAFF DECISION -
BLD -2009-0710 Project Proposal
Epulo Bistro has submitted an application for an internally -illuminated projecting sign on the north wall
of their location at 526 Main Street,
Property Owner/Applicant Contractor
ELSIA, LLC Island Dog Sign Co.
526 Main Street 2010 Airport Way S.
Edmonds, WA 98020 Seattle, WA 98134
Design Review Process
Design review for signs is considered a Type I decision subject to the requirements of ECDC 20.01.003.
Because the sign is located in the BD -1 zone, the design standards in ECDC 22.43 apply in addition to
those general criteria found in the sign code (Chapter 20.60 ECDC) and the Comprehensive Plan.
Analysis
1. Design Standards. The Comprehensive Plan identifies the site as Downtown/Waterfront Activity
Center — Retail Core. The proposed sign satisfies the intent of the following goals and policies from
the Comprehensive Plan and the design standards in ECDC 22,43:
a. Downtown Design Objectives are found on pages 38-42 and are intended to encourage high
quality, well designed projects to be developed in the downtown waterfront area that reflect the
values of the citizens of Edmonds.
b. "Provide clear signage to idents each distinct property or business and to improve orientation
and way Ending downtown. " (page 39)
c. "Minimize distraction from the overuse of advertisement elements. " (page 39)
d. "Lighting of signs should be indirect or minimally backlit to display lettering and symbols or
graphic design instead of broadly lighting the face of the sign. " (page 40)
e. "Signage and other way Ending methods should be employed to assist citizens and visitors in
finding businesses and services. " (page 40)
f. "Blade or projecting signs which include decorative frames, brackets or other design elements
are encouraged. " (ECDC 22.43.040.B.9)
g. "Instead of broadly lighting the face of the sign, signage should be indirectly lit, or backlit to
only display lettering and symbols or graphic design. " (ECDC 22.43.040.B.11)
2. Sign type. The proposed internally -illuminated blade sign (a projecting sign) is a conditionally -
permitted sign type in the downtown business area according to ECDC 20.60.020.L. The proposed
sign satisfies the applicable standards found in ECDC 20.60.020.M.2 through 20.60.020.M.5, in that:
the sign illuminates only the letters and not the background; it is mounted directly on the building; it
does not use exposed neon; and, it is not higher than 14 feet.
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File No. BLD -2009-0710
Epulo Bistro sign
3. Size and height. A blade sign is a projecting sign. According to ECDC 20.60.040, projecting signs
may be no larger than 16 square feet and may be a maximum of 14 feet high. The proposed sign is
5.66 square feet and the top of the sign will be slightly over 10 feet above grade.
Decision
Based on the facts and conclusions of this report, staff finds that the design review for this project (File
No. BLD -2009-0710) is APPROVED.
I have reviewed the application for compliance with the Edmonds Community Development Code.
1r0 / Z
Mike Clugston, Manning Division
Appeals: Design review decisions by staff are only appealable to the extent that the applicable building
permit or development approval is an appealable decision under the provisions of the ECDC. Design
review by staff is not in itself an appealable decision.
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