HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-14 YPC MinutesCity of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2014
Call to Order
Chairman Dave Fonfara called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Rnll Call
YPC Members Present: Chairman Dave Fonfara, Vice -Chair Scott Clark, Al Rose, Bill
Cook
YPC Members Absent: Ben Shoval (excused), Paul Stelzer (excused)
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Supervising Planner; Steve Osguthorpe,
Community Development Director
Others: James Carpentier, Norm Hillstrom, Larry Oliver, Jesse
Oliver, Steve Clarke, Mike Davidson, Joe Mann
Staff Announcements
Jeff Peters reviewed the order of the agenda items
No audience participation noted.
DVD Presentation - Digital SigLts and Billboards: Crafting and Enforcing Local
Re lations Strafford Webinars
Planning Commission and staff members watched the 90 minute video presentation
and then proceeded to participate in general discussion on the presentation. The
commission and staff then took a 5 minute recess break before moving to the next
agenda item.
Work Session - Continue discussion on the Billboards & Digital Signs YMC Title 15
text amendment
Steve Osguthrope introduced the topic and answered questions from the Commission.
A member of the audience, Larry Oliver, expressed his concerns about the lack of
discussion on digital signs and the benefits of having them. He also stressed the
importance of regulating the brightness of digital signs.
Another member of the audience, James Carpentier, who came to speak on behalf of the
North West Sign Council, expressed his concerns about the presentation not
distinguishing between on and off premise signs and some additional issues relating to
billboards and digital signs such as regulating the brightness.
A member of the audience, Mike Davidson, pointed out that more businesses will have
digital signs as they are becoming more affordable which means that it is important to
have these signs be relatively the same size for aesthetic reasons. Mike also made the
point that people will become desensitized to these signs as they become more popular
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causing businesses to become more creative in their approach to advertising on digital
signs and billboards.
Steve Osguthorpe added that most digital signs are about 33 square feet in size at the
present time.
A member of the audience, Paula Reisma, warned the Commission to be cautious about
the language they use and what they will allow regarding billboards.
Another member of the audience, Jill Jensen, read a letter she wrote in opposition to
billboards as she has had experience with them in Tacoma, Washington.
A member of the audience, Jesse Oliver, told the Commission that he feels that Yakima
needs sign. He added that billboards and on -premise signs should be in different
categories.
Steve Osguthorpe reminded the Commission that the public hearing for both the
billboards and digital signs will take place on February 12, 2014.
Scott Clark made a suggestion that the Commission continue to discuss digital signs
before moving on to billboards.
Outdoor Demonstration - Billboard and Digital Sign
The outdoor demonstration started around 5:20 p.m.
The Commission, staff, and others discussed illumination levels and brightness controls
on digital signs as they were demonstrated. James Carpentier suggested regulating foot
candles rather than nits as it is easier to enforce.
Different rates per second were also demonstrated through the digital signs as well as
the fading out effect.
Other Business
No other business noted.
Adjourn
A motion to adjourn to January 29, 2014 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
P,I % V
Chairman Dave Fonfara
Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Temporary D.A. II.
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