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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Business Council Committee - Meeting Date: 1/21/2021MINUTES BUSINESS COUNCIL COMMITTEE CONFERENCE ROOM 2A 5850 W. GLENDALE AVE. GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st, 2021 2:00 PM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 2 PM. ROLL CALL Committee members present: Chairperson Joyce Clark, Vice Chairperson Bart Shea, Councilmember Ray Malnar, Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff, Dale Adams, John Crow, Yvonne Knaack, and Ricardo Toris Committee members absent: All members were present. City staff present: Jamsheed Mehta (Development Services Director) and Sherry Crapser (Management Assistant) were present. CITIZEN COMMENTS Liz Recchia, Government Affairs Director from WeSery spoke at the beginning of the meeting. Ms. Recchia explained that in an effort to have exceptional signage in Glendale, the following needs to be asked about each sign "Is the signage adequate, visible, and legible?" These elements make for successful signage. There are many signs which are distracting or illegible, but that is why signage ordinances must have appropriate standards for efficiency and the safety of the public. Ms. Recchia noted WeSery has worked with both Peoria and Surprise already, and they've seen significant signage improvements. Mr. Toris asked if the city consultants have provided Ms. Recchia with the drafted ordinance, and Ms. Recchia said she hadn't been provided one yet. Mr. Toris asked which sign ordinances work well for both the general public and the city. Councilmember Tolmachoff added that some of this consultation regarding signage should be done with the Code Review Committee. Chairperson Clark noted this is true, but it must go through the Business Council Committee first. Mr. Toris noted there are a variety of aspects to consider while moving forward with these signage codes. Chairperson Clark noted that in an effort for consistency and understanding, there should also be an agreement on common, consistent diction/syntax for the codes. Further limitations need to be drafted in regards to murals being used as signage, and there needs to be consistency in standards throughout all areas of the city. Ms. Knaack presented several images of businesses with poorly -designed signage (murals, maximum allowable signage space, etc.). Chairperson Clark noted there needs to be a conversation to help identifying when or where grandfathering will apply. Many aspects of signage mentioned during the majority of the meeting will need to be discussed in great detail at a later time. Chairperson Clark invited Ms. Recchia to continue to join the committee as they work through signage codes. Chairperson Clark made a list of what to discuss in the next meeting: 1. Grandfathering. 2. Establishing a design review board. 3. Determining what constitutes acceptable building mural/artwork. 4. Enforceability of these codes. (Rick St. John should be included) Chairperson Clark also recommended they include a professional to help determine what constitutes "good signage." Chairperson Clark wants to focus on grandfathering during the February meeting, and she then noted any other suggestions should be sent to Mr. Pruett. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion to approve the meeting minutes was made by Ms. Knaack, and it was seconded by Councilmember Tolmachoff. All were in favor, and none opposed. ITEMS a. Presentation review by Matthew Klyszeiko and Adam Pruett from Michael Baker International regarding the signage code. Page 4.5.5 Chairperson Clark noted a previous draft had a 72 -hour time limit for banner signage, but Mr. Klyszeiko explained this language was moved to the temporary signage section instead. In section A, it says, "any distinction between any on-site and off-site signs shall apply only to commercial messages." Mr. Klyszeiko explained a business sign can be placed in certain places (like public right of way), but political or protest signs, for example, have other limitations when it comes to private property. In section H, Mr. Toris asked about flagpole height, and the committee believed there was a height limitation of 60 -feet for commercial. Councilmember Malnar and Councilmember Tolmachoff recalled this being addressed as well but couldn't remember the exact height limitations. Upon reviewing the February 2019 meeting minutes, Councilmember Tolmachoff found height limitation for commercial is 60 -feet, and there were no changes to regulations of residential laws. In section J, Chairperson Clark asked how the committee will define "nuisance," and she then requested a specific definition for the next meeting. Sections K - N were next, and Mr. Torts suggested this might be the appropriate area to have an exhibit to make these codes easier to understand. The committee was in agreement. 4.5.6A There were not comments on page 6 under A, items 1, 2, and 3, so the committee moved on. Page 7 begins with 313 and continues to 4A and B. This discusses the multi -faced signs. Mr. Klyszeiko explained what this term means, and there needs to be wording developed to explain when a multi -faced sign becomes one sign instead of two. Mr. Crow suggested adding a graphic in this section as well. Chairperson Clark made a motion to recommend the 45 -degree alternative to the consultant. There was deliberation about what might be the issue with keeping 60 -degree alternatives. Mr. Adams asked what the original issue was with the signage codes, and Mr. Klyszeiko said it was an effort to make less opportunity for loopholes. 2 Chairperson Clark asked if the committee would be willing to draft a maximum allowable space for building signage on each tenant in a building. Mr. Toris wondered how fair this could be to some tenants who may not have the opportunity to use some building space for signage, but Chairperson Clark argued this would be a landlord/tenant issue rather than a city signage/tenant issue. Chairperson Clark suggested considering alternative ways of creating standards for signage in comparison to other cities, and the committee agreed it could be done. Specific lots (such as corner lots) could have different signage limitations from other locations. Mr. Adams suggested a one-size-fits-all signage codes. Chairperson Clark had reservations about this, and so did Mr. Crow. Mr. Crow reminded the committee the essence of signage is directed as the consumer, and it's not about the business owner. This is what the signage codes are meant to reflect. Mr. Toris also brought up freeway frontage. Mr. Crow requested the group develop signage requirements and regulations by region. The signage will likely be discussed per category (commercial retail, industrial, hospital, residential, corridor etc.) rather than in masse; this will be done in an effort to ensure signage is proportionate for each category. Ms. Knaack added certain setbacks (such as Councilmember Tolmachoff's example) shouldn't have to go to the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Toris suggested not using bullet points and using a matrix instead. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed. STAFF REPORT There wasn't a staff report. COMMITTEE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Chairperson Clark asked for comments and suggestions, and there weren't any. Chairperson Clark asked the consultants to prepare their work and have it sent at least a week prior to the next meeting. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Business Council Committee will be held on February 18th, 2021, at 2 PM, located at 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, Conference Room 2A, Glendale, Arizona 85301. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Clark adjourned the meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:07 PM. Sherry Crapser, Recording Secretary 3