2019/05/22 Council Agenda Packet

EVERETT WASMtNGTON ORDINANCE NO. An Ordinance Concerning Sign Standards, Repealing and Amending Ordinances in Accordance with Sections 1 and 2 of this Ordinance WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended amendments to the standards and development regulations in the Zoning Code for signage (Planning Commission Resolution Nos. 19-08, 19-09 and 19-10); WHEREAS, the Growth Management Act includes goals of encouraging economic development, protecting the environment and providing strong public participation in the formulation of new development regulations; WHEREAS,the Everett Comprehensive Plan includes goals, objectives and policies requiring the city to adopt regulations that improve and enhance the quality of development and reduce sign clutter; WHEREAS, the City's sign regulations have not been updated in response to recent court cases addressing signage and free speech, including a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court(Reed v. Town of Gilbert); WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to the City's sign regulations will be consistent with recent case law addressing signage and free speech; WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to the City's sign regulations will implement code streamlining objectives by improving the code's format and reducing duplication; WHEREAS, the City sought input from stakeholder groups and held meetings to discuss draft changes to the sign regulations; WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted public briefings on December 18,2018,January 15, 2019, and March 19, 2019 to discuss and consider potential amendments to sign regulations; WHEREAS, EMC 19.41.170(C) provides for zoning code text amendments if it finds that: 1)The proposed amendment is consistent with the applicable provisions of the Everett general plan [comprehensive plan]; and 2)The proposed amendment bears a substantial relation to public health, safety or welfare; and 3)The proposed amendment promotes the best long term interests of the Everett community; 1 EMC 19.36 Signs May 2019 4