HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Land Use and Planning Board - 04/22/2019
Date: April 22, 2019
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers
Attending: Kathi Jones, Frank Cornelius, Shane Amodei, Ali Shasti, Dale
Hartman, Gwen Allen-Carston, Kaelene Nobis, Sara Ullman, Erin George, Hayley
Bonsteel
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
Kathi Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
2. Roll Call
Paul Hintz was absent, excused.
3. Approval of the Minutes
Frank Cornelius motioned to approve the minutes of March 25. Ali Shasti 2nd
the motion. Motion to approve the minutes passed 6-0
4. Added Items None.
5. Communications None.
6. Notice of Upcoming Meetings None.
7. LUPB Workshop – Housekeeping Code Amendments
Ms. Ullman discussed 2019 housekeeping amendments to ensure clarity,
consistency, and accuracy for Kent City Code. She discussed updating our noise
ordinance, and an update to reflect our current zoning policies. She also included
a proposed change to the language for inoperable vehicles to clarify that no
inoperable vehicles are allowed for more than 30 days on private property. There
are proposed changes to building height definitions, updated to streamline
reviews and ensure consistency with other municipalities. In addition, Ms.
Ullman discussed the docket item which would standardize height limits in
similar residential zones. This change ensures logical and fair development
standards for zonings which allow for single family dwellings. Ms. Ullman also
discussed a proposed modification of the construction cost index, which would
shift from October to October of each year to August to August. The board and
City Staff shifted the discussion to code enforcement policies for a time, noting
Code Enforcement’s shift from the ECD department to the Police Department.
8. LUPB Workshop – Sign Code Amendments
Kaelene Nobis addressed the board members regarding potential changes to our
sign code relating to recent court decisions. These court decisions prevent
municipalities from regulating non-commercial signage on the basis of content.
Kent Planning and Legal staff are identifying where we can improve our sign
Formatted: Underline
code language to be compliant with these new legal limitations. The board
discussed proliferation of existing signs in the city, and asked about enforcement
of illegal signs and whether “sign spinners” (people holding signs) are allowed.
Ms. Nobis stated she would discuss sign spinners with Legal, and Ms. George
provided additional information regarding sign code enforcement.
9. Adjournment
Kaelene Nobis addressed the board members regarding changes to our sign code amendments as relating to recent court decisions. Kent is identifying where we can improve neutrality in our sign code language to be compliant with legal stipulations preventing municipalities from discriminating against specific entities. The board discussed proliferation of existing signs in the city, and asked about enforcement of illegal signs and whether “sign spinners” (people holding signs) are allowed. Ms. Nobis stated she would discuss sign spinners with Legal, and Ms. George provided additional information regarding sign code enforcement.
Samuel M Maloney
Planning Technician
Economic and Community Development