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Prospective retro arcade seeks early feedback on downtown signage and colors
Summary
Nick and Amy Hamilton presented conceptual signage and color schemes for a proposed retro arcade in downtown Snoqualmie and received generally favorable early feedback from the planning commission; staff reminded applicants that final sign permits and design-review applications will be required and noted a typical sign area near 20 square feet.
Nick and Amy Hamilton told the Snoqualmie Planning Commission on Dec. 1 that they plan to open a retro arcade in downtown and sought early feedback on exterior signage and color schemes. Director Davis said the presentation is an early step so the applicants can refine designs before filing a formal design-review application.
The Hamiltons described an arcade with games, pinball, air hockey and a snack bar. "We're gonna be putting it in arcade," one of the applicants said, and they added they expect the venue to serve patrons of all ages while also offering canned beer and wine for adults. The applicants said they hope to open around July, acknowledging winter weather and interior work could slow the build-out: "We're probably open around July."
Commissioners responded positively to a retro Pac-Man motif and color options pulled from the city's approved downtown palette. Several commissioners said the Pac-Man image quickly communicates "arcade" to passersby and that the designs struck a balance between visibility and compatibility with neighboring businesses.
Staff and commissioners discussed technical limits and next steps. Director Davis explained the sign-permit and design-review pathway and said applicants must submit scaled materials and color samples; staff indicated a common sign-area allowance around 20 square feet and said letter-size rules also apply. A commissioner asked about using a recognizable videogame character and staff called the copyright issue a legal gray area, noting limited, nonbranded use of a partial character and dots often does not draw enforcement.
The commission did not make any formal decision at the meeting; staff advised the Hamiltons to file a formal sign permit and design-review-board application so the designs can be reviewed to scale and in context. Applicants said they would meet with staff for pre-application guidance and adjust designs as needed before submitting final materials.
Next steps: the Hamiltons plan to prepare a formal sign-permit package and design-review application and to work with staff on exact dimensions, materials and mounting details before seeking final approval.
