 |
| Splash photo by Craig Howard |
Attendees at a Sept. 10 workshop at City Hall were asked to pick from three scenarios involving the city’s approach to signage. From left to right: Council Member Dan Dunne, Jeff Sitton of the planning commission, City Administrator Katy Allen, Mayor Steve Peterson and Eric Holt of AllSport.
|
More News
March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run
In Gear for Good
Kramer puts integrity first at Christian Brothers
City commissions offer chance to serve, enhance community
When Danetta “Dg” Garcia’s bid for a Liberty Lake City Council seat fell short, she didn’t give up on the idea of serving the city she calls home.
TT's Brewery and Barbecue Expands to Neighborhood Liberty Lake Location
In the smoky realm of barbecue, TT's BBQ has carved a niche for itself as a beacon of mouth watering flavors and culinary expertise for both their beer and food.
Daughters of The American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890.
HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets
The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement.
Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge
Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam.
Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots
In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City.
At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots
Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley.
Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress
Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project.
Council social media training degenerates into confrontation
Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting.
Central Valley School District Prop. 1
Eat, Shop, and Be Merry
Water Works
2023 Candidate Guide
Sporting in Liberty Lake
Closing the Chasm
Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023
2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming!
Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide!
Public Safety Raised to New Level
Parks and Art Commission
Looking Ahead to 2023
Eat, Shop and Be Merry
New city administrator
Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map!
Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!!
Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates
Pavillion Park
You Are Invited
Destination Liberty Lake
Liberty Lake's Lego Home
Making and Impact 2022
|
|
|
|
Workshop explores possible changes to city sign code
9/29/2014 12:50:00 PM
By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor
Bill Grimes has made it clear that when it comes to the future of signage in Liberty Lake, nothing is set in stone - or neon or blinking lights.
Grimes, principal of the Spokane-based community design firm of Studio Cascade, presided over a workshop last month that delved into potential changes to the city's existing sign code. The discussion was part of the Liberty Lake planning commission's monthly meeting and included representatives of the City Council as well as municipal staff.
"This is so you can tell us what you're thinking in terms of signs and what our next step should be," Grimes told attendees during the Sept. 10 gathering at City Hall.
In June, council unanimously approved a contract with Studio Cascade to review the city's approach to signage. The standards, established after incorporation in 2001, have established an aesthetic baseline in Liberty Lake but also drawn criticism from some business owners who say the regulations are overly restrictive.
"The city made it clear that we should approach this with an attitude of ensuring the community's prosperity while also respecting the things that make Liberty Lake a special and unique place," Grimes said. "Community image is a community resource, and that's something the city has the authority to regulate to some degree."
The city's current sign code is characterized by guidelines not seen in surrounding communities. The document prohibits electric signs with alternating messages as well as reader boards. There are also restrictions on signs in residential areas. Each business within city limits is allowed a double sided "A-frame" sign measuring six square feet while free standing signs along the Interstate 90 corridor have a ceiling of 30 feet.
Mayor Steve Peterson said the code was structured to minimize the sort of visual clutter seen to the west of Liberty Lake.
"In the first year of incorporation, the conversation was, ‘We don't want to be like Sprague Avenue,'" said Peterson. "We still don't want to turn into Sprague, but I think we have a lot of work to do on the business side of signage."
Grimes pointed out that some commercial locations grapple with "awkward site plans" that make it difficult for customers to locate a store without more apparent signage.
"There are places that have little visibility from the street," he said.
Pointing to the example of the signature sign in downtown Spokane that advertises Luigi's Italian restaurant, Grimes added that a creative approach to design can "capture the local mystique."
When businesses do attempt to create an advertising draw, it doesn't always resonate, according to Mayor Pro Tem Cris Kaminskas, who said some retail sites have logos and designs that are difficult to decipher.
"Even driving by those, I can't figure out what they say," she said.
In surveying citizens and businesses about the sign statutes, Grimes said he was met "by an array of interesting perspectives."
"There seemed to be an appreciation for the sign code among residents but not so much by businesses," he said.
Wayne Frost attended the meeting as a board member of the HUB Sports Center, a multi-purpose venue tucked back off I-90 in the western section of the city. Frost said a site like the HUB, which has historically struggled with visibility, should be able to secure directional signage that guides visitors from the freeway to the building.
"There needs to be a distinction within the code for places of import to the city," Frost said.
AllSport, a location that also runs parallel to the freeway, was represented by Eric Holt at the meeting. Holt grew up in Liberty Lake prior to incorporation and said he appreciates the look of the community but remains hopeful that the code could be restructured to help businesses on the promotional side.
"It's tough to get people's attention," Holt said. "I'm not saying I want electronic signs, but it would be nice to have a little more flexibility. It would help us to get more attention of people driving down the freeway."
City Administrator Katy Allen said that "while the sign code is complicated, it's complicated for a reason."
"I think people sometimes get caught up in the regulations and lose sight of the reason or the goal," she said.
Council Member Odin Langford pointed out that geography and logistics should be considered when sign placement and characteristics are on the table.
"A sign facing I-90 might be OK, but the same sign facing a residential area might not," he said. "We have to look at the location, the building types and what you're trying to accomplish."
The workshop included an activity that separated attendees into four groups. Each group was tasked with picking one of three scenarios for signage, beginning with the status quo. The second option allowed for electronic changeable signs along the freeway and at least one digital community oriented sign at city gateways. An expanded sign area would also be permitted in commercial areas featuring multi-tenant buildings.
The third option included all of the additional signs in the second scenario as well as electronic changeable monument and wall mounted signs along both Country Vista and Appleway corridors. The second and third alternatives each stipulated that any electronic signs would take into account motorist safety by limiting brightness and frequency of change.
When the discussion subsided, two of the groups leaned toward the second option while the remaining two sided most with the third scenario.
"I think what I'm hearing is that we need to make some adjustments to the sign code and focus on the non-residential areas of the community," Grimes said.
Grimes told attendees that Studio Cascade hope to have its recommendations to the City Council toward the end of the year. A recap of the workshop will be included in council packets for the Oct. 7 meeting, while Grimes said he would work with city staff to schedule a community open house on signage in the next couple of months.
"We need a code that allows for some flexibility," said Mike Kennedy of the planning commission. "This has to be the most fair, the most transparent and most documented process."
Advertisement
|
