Resolution 309PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 309
A RESOLUTION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS RECOMMENDING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE OF SAID CITY, SECTION 12.12.240
DEFINING "WINDOW SIGN", SECTION 12.13.190 RELATING TO OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
STRUCTURES AND SIGNS IN THE COMMUNITY BUSINESS ZONE, AND SECTION 12.15.130,
CONTINUANCE OF NON -CONFORMING USE OF LAND AND SIGNS, ALL AS SET FORTH IN
PLANNING COMMISSION FILE NO. ZO-9-68.
WHEREAS the Planning Commission of the City of Edmonds,
pursuant to proper notice and publication, held a public hearing on
a proposed amendment to the Official Zoning Ordinance, Section 12.12.190,
Paragraph 0, to establish sign size criteria for the Community Business
Zone as set forth in Section 12.13.280, Paragraph E (General Commercial
Zone); and
WHEREAS, having made the findings set forth in Exhibit "A"
attached.hereto, the Planning Commission determined that amendment
should be made to the Official Zoning Ordinance, Section 12.12.240 to
define 11Window Sign", Section 12.13.190 to regulate outdoor advertising
structures and signs, and Section 12.15.130 to regulate continuance of
non -conforming use of land and signs, all as set forth in Exhibit "B"
attached hereto: Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED That recommendation be and the same hereby is made
to the City Council of the City of Edmonds that the Official Zoning
Ordinance of said City be so amended.
DATED as of the 19th day of February, 1969.
hairman, Edmonds Planning Commission
Edmonds City Planner
File No. ZO-9-69
Initial Request by: Ernest A. Boyd
Date of Hearing: December 18, 1969
January 15, 1969
February 19, 1969
Resolution No: 309
RYNTRTT ttptt
The.proposed sign size regulations based on site or building
dimensions are far more equitable for the businessmen than the
existing regulations with a fixed maximum sign size for all build-
ings regardless of building size. The proposed regulations would
encourage an improved appearance in the downtown business area,
while the applicant's proposal would allow an excessive amount
of signing in the.area.
EXHIBIT "B"
Section 12.12.240
Resolution No. 309
Window Sign A temporary or permanent advertising sign which is oriented to
the public right-of-way and which is legible to persons in vehicles. Such
signs are located on the outside of a window, on the inside of the window
glass, or within one foot of a window.
Section 12.13.190 Permitted Uses
0. Outdoor advertising structures and signs regulated as follows:
1. Size. A total sign size of 1-1/2 square feet per lineal foot of building
frontage or 1/2 square foot per lineal foot of lot frontage, whichever
results in the larger sign area. An increase in sign area shall be allowed
in the amount of 5% of the original permitted sign area for each ten feet
of building setback from the street right-of-way. Where frontage is on
more than one street, only the signs computed with the frontage of that
street shall face that street. The size of ground or pole signs shall not
exceed 150 square feet. Window signs may not exceed 25% of the total
window area on each frontage.
2. Height. Signs attached to the building may not project above the roof or
parapet line. Pole, ground, or other signs not attached to the building
shall not exceed a height of 20 feet above the average ground level at the
base of the sign.
3. Projection and Location. Where the building has been located on or within
a foot of the street right-of-way line, signs may extend over the right-of-
way no more than five feet. Limitations on signs extending over the right-
of-way would not apply to marquee signs. Pole, ground, or other signs not
attached to the building shall not extend into the public right-of-way.
Pole or ground signs shall not be located closer than 100 feet to another
similar sign on the same side of a street.
4. Signs and advertising structures shall advertise exclusively the business
conducted, goods sold, or services rendered on the premises.
5. Illumination. The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded,
shielded, or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be
objectionable to surrounding areas. No sign shall have blinking, flashing,
or fluttering lights or other illuminating devide which has a changing
light intensity, brightness, or color. Beacon lights are not permitted.
No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as
to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices. Neither the
direct, nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a
traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.
No exposed reflective type bulbs and no strobe light or incandescent lamp
which exceeds fifteen (15) watts shall be used on the exterior surface of
any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light, or lamp to any public
street or adjacent property.
6. Where dimensional and other regulations contained herein are in conflict
with Ordinance 973 Uniform Sign Code, as amended, the more stringent
dimension shall apply.
7. Prohibited Signs. Prohibited are signs which:
a. Contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or
immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency.
b. Are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of
illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic
control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or
signal.
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c. Advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted
on the premises upon which the sign is located.
d. Move in any manner or have a major moving part. Only minor decorative
parts may move.
e. Contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers,
strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other similarly moving devices.
f. May swing or otherwise noticeably move as a result of wind pressure
because of the manner of their suspension or attachment.
g. Sandwich boards or portable signs.
Section 12.15.130 Continuance of Non -Conforming Use of Land and Signs.
C. Non -Conforming Signs in the BC (Community Business) Zone. Signs existing at
the time of the enactment of this ordinance and not conforming to its provi-
sions but which were constructed in compliance with previous regulations shall
be regarded as non -conforming signs which may be continued for a period of
five (5) years from the date of their construction or three (3) years from the
date of the enactment of this ordinance, whichever is longer, if properly
repaired and maintained as provided in this code and continue to be in confor-
mance with other ordinances of this municipality. At the end of this period
they shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having beneficial use of
the structure or land on which the signs are located.
Any sign existing in violation of Section 12.13.190, 0, 6 (Prohibited Signs)
of this code shall be removed, altered, or repaired in accordance with the
provisions of this ordinance within one (1) month after the date of passage
of this ordinance.
Non -conforming signs which are structurally altered, relocated, or replaced
shall comply immediately with all provisions of this code.