PLN2023-0071 Staff ReportCITY OF EDMONDS
121 5ch Avenue North, Edmonds, WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
DESIGN REVIEW
STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO THE
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD
Project: Swedish Medical Center Langer Building Sign Package
File Number: BLD2024-0979
Date of Report: October 28, 2024
From: Tristan Sewell, Planner
Proposal: Modification to the sign design standards of Chapter 20.60 ECDC.
I. SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ACTION:
Construct or update signage for the Langer Building at the Edmonds Swedish Medical Center.
The site contains an urgent care clinic and other medical services and is adjacent to the
emergency room.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Owner: Public Hospital District 2 Snohomish County
2. Applicant: Jorden Weiner, Division 10 Signs
3. Tax Parcel Number(s): 00580700002900
4. Location: 21600 Highway 99
5. Zoning: General Commercial (CG)
6. Existing Use: Medical & Other Health Services
7. Review Process: ECDC 20.60.015(B)(1) enables eligible applicants to request
modification to any of the standards of Chapter 20.60 ECDC, subject to review by the
Architectural Design Board using the criteria of ECDC 20.60.015(B)(2).
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File No. BLD2024-0979
Request for ADB Approval of Modifications
Swedish Medical Center Langer Building Sign Package
II. TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE:
The City of Edmonds' Planning & Development department and Public Works
Engineering division staff reviewed and evaluated this application. Building and
Engineering each approved the attached plans already.
III. APPLICABLE CODES:
ECDC 20.60 —Sign Code
Section 025 — Total maximum permanent sign area
Maximum total area: 200 sq. ft.
Maximum total number: five
Staff Analysis: The applicant proposes a total number of four signs. The total proposed
sign area totals 110.2 square feet. The proposed signage complies with this section.
Section 045 — Freestanding signs — Regulation
Maximum Area: 160 sq. ft.
Location: As near to the center of the street frontage as possible.
Number: One at the corner or one on each frontage on arterial streets
Landscaping: A landscaped area twice the area of each sign at each's base
Staff Analysis: The applicant aims to clarify patient navigation onsite to the urgent care
facility. Although Subsection A discourages freestanding signs, staff finds no reasonable
and feasible alternative to address the applicant's need for legible navigation to crucial
medical facilities onsite. The proposed freestanding signage exceeds the maximum
number permitted on corner lots, with both one at the corner and one on each street face.
The total freestanding sign area totals 86.2 square feet. The proposal positions the signs
on each street frontage reasonably close to the center of the property line, with the
concern for legible navigation to the urgent care and emergency room in mind. The
locations proposed are already landscaped, though compliance with Chapter 20.13 was
not reviewed here. As proposed, the signage does not comply with this section; the
applicant seeks Architectural Design Board's modification to this section's requirements,
specifically the number and location of signs.
Section 030 — Wall signs — Maximum area and height
Maximum area: One square foot per lineal foot of attached wall
Maximum height: 14 feet or height of the building face
Staff Analysis: The proposed building identification wall sign complies with Section
030.
ECDC 20.60.015(B)(2) — Design review procedures — Review Criteria
a) Compatibility of the materials, colors, design, and proportions of the proposed
signage with development onsite and similar signage in the vicinity
b) Modification shall not exceed the maximum normally allowed by more than 50%
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File No. BLD2024-0979
Request for ADB Approval of Modifications
Swedish Medical Center Langer Building Sign Package
Staff Analysis: Within the Edmonds Swedish Medical Center's campus and larger
Medical/Highway 99 Activity Center context, the proposed signage abides by the color
and design schemes used onsite and would not be out of character. Increasing the number
of freestanding signs from two (one on each street face) to three (each street face and the
corner) abides by the maximum increase of 50%. The proposed sign area (both
cumulative and for each sign type) complies with the normally permissible maximum.
IV. CONCLUSION:
Based on the above analysis of the project proposal, staff finds the proposal satisfies the
criteria for modification of sign code requirements by the Architectural Design Board
listed in ECDC 20.60.015(B)(2).
V. RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the analysis of applicable codes, conclusions, and attachments to this report,
staff recommends that the Architectural Design Board APPROVE the proposed
modifications. Staff identified no necessary conditions to this approval at this time.
VI. DECISION:
The Architectural Design Board voted unanimously to APPROVE the staff
recommendation at their October 241h, 2024, meeting. Refer to the approved minutes,
available here once approved at the November meeting.
VII. ATTACHMENTS:
1. Applicant Cover Letter
2. Signage Plan Set
3. Site Plan
4. Architectural Design Board transcript excerpt — October 241h, 2024
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