Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM July 16, 2020 Online Zoom Webinar Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi; Mike Estes (Chair); Steve Crooks, Phyllis McKee, Makenzie Graham and Scott Jones Absent: Approval of Minutes No minutes were considered for approval. Public Comment Period Opportunity for citizens to speak informally to the Planning Commissioners on any subject not listed on the agenda. Speakers are allowed a MAXIMUM of three (3) minutes to address the Commission. Speakers will not be required to disclose their address. No testimony provided. PUBLIC HEARING The consideration of the proposed amendments to Bellingham Municipal Code Title 20 to establish regulations for electronic message signs on Public zoned land, which are intended to improve public access to information on community activities, events and services. Kurt Nabbefeld provided a brief history on the sign code and staff’s intent to make some changes to the code in its entirety in the future. He explained the proposal before them comes from the Bellingham School District and shared that it only applies to the public zone. Chris Koch discussed the regulations as they currently exist and how the proposed amendments to BMC 20 would change those for publicly zoned properties. He pointed out that the Parks Department reviewed the packet and did not have any issues with the recommendations. He shared some initial concepts the Bellingham School District submitted with their application with regard to the size and styles of potential signage. Chris stated the Bellingham School District requested three changes to the recommendations in the staff report: 1) The size of an electronic message sign, within 100’ of a residential zone, be allowed to be “up to” 25 sq. ft. vs the City’s recommendation of no larger than 16 sq. ft., which is consistent with existing regulations. Staff does not support this change. 2) The time of transition between static images be decreased to 2 seconds, vs. the City’s recommendation of 5 seconds. Staff does not support this change. 3) The time of day/night that the sign is shut off – the school district would like it to be from 10pm-7am vs. the City’s recommendation of 10pm-6am. Staff supports this change. Public Comment No public comment taken. Commissioner Question/Comment There was a brief conversation about possible electronic signs in the City parks. There was a discussion about the amount of time between static images. It was pointed out that 2 seconds could be distracting and dangerous. It was also stated that 5 seconds could be too long and not much information could be received when driving past. There was a brief conversation about what types of messages could be displayed on the signs. MOTION: Steve Crooks/Ali Taysi moved to amend BMC 20 to require electronic signs be shut off between 10pm-7am. VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-0 MOTION: Steve Crooks / Ali Taysi moved to accept the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation found in the July 16, 2020 staff report, as modified, and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. There was support expressed for this ordinance and the thought that went into some of the regulations that were included (timing of the screen changes and monument size). VOTE: MOTION PASSES 6-0 Old/New Business Shoreline Committee Report Steve Crooks reported on the July 9, 2020 meeting and recommendations made by the committee. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: Heather Aven Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.