Commission discusses sign code inconsistencies, WSDOT exit signage and business wayfinding options

City planning staff told the Economic Development Commission they found inconsistent language in the local sign code and recommended consolidating sign regulations into a single code section and creating checklists for small businesses. An associate planner, Christopher, told commissioners that the code currently contains conflicting verbiage about sandwich boards and sidewalk signage and that the city will produce handouts and online checklists for business owners; Christopher also said formal code amendments will take longer because of the ordinance process. “The code amendments will take longer,” Christopher said, describing the timeline and noting a new associate planner has been hired to work on outreach and vacancy tracking. The commission also discussed highway wayfinding. Staff reported they located a WSDOT contact who has sent proposed designs into WSDOT design; staff will follow up in 90 days. Commission members asked about adding “Historic District” or “Falls” to overhead signs approaching Exit 27; staff said overhead signs generally display city names only and that a particular overhead sign could not be permitted, although an exit sign near the ramp might be updated to add either the falls or the historic district. Commissioners discussed privately purchased tourist-direction (blue) signs as an alternative and noted those signs are purchased by individual businesses and include eligibility rules (hours open, service requirements) and an annual fee (staff noted around $400). Staff said they would work with businesses and the chamber on potential cooperative approaches. No changes to the sign code or new signage were approved at the meeting; staff will return with checklists, a proposed schedule for code updates, and follow-up with WSDOT.