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Pasco planning commission backs limited allowance for sandwich‑board signs downtown
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended a city code amendment to allow sandwich‑board (A‑frame) signs only within the Downtown Pasco Overlay District and a 300‑foot buffer, adding placement, ADA, intersection and removal standards; the package moves to City Council for workshop review.
The Pasco Planning Commission on [date] voted unanimously to recommend a targeted code amendment that would allow sandwich‑board signs in the Downtown Pasco Overlay District and within a 300‑foot buffer around it.
Planner Eileen Bargan presented the amendment, CA 2025‑002, saying the change ‘‘establishes clear standards regulating sandwich board signs,’’ including limits on where signs may be placed, the number of signs per business, allowable hours, additional corner‑lot standards (a minimum 10‑foot clearance from curb radii), ADA accessibility requirements and procedures for removal and enforcement. Staff recommended the commission forward the proposal to City Council for a workshop on Feb. 9 and possible ordinance action on Feb. 17, 2026.
The measure is narrowly drawn to downtown; staff stressed it does not authorize signs citywide. Commissioner Pat Jones, who moved the recommendation, said the downtown‑only approach ‘‘will add to the beauty of that area’’ and praised the consistency in size and placement standards. Commissioners asked staff to clarify that the rule does not cover vehicle‑mounted advertisements; Bargan confirmed the intent was to prohibit sandwich‑board signs mounted on vehicles.
Commissioners also pressed staff on enforcement capacity and pedestrian safety. Commissioner Kim Lerman recommended adding requirements to reduce tipping or blowing of signs; Director Haley Matson said enforcement of sign complaints is currently complaint‑based and noted the city has two code enforcement officers, funded in part by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars. Matson said allowing regulated signs downtown should reduce enforcement frictions because rules will be clear to business owners and code officers.
With no members of the public speaking on the issue, the commission voted to forward CA 2025‑002 to City Council with a recommendation to approve the downtown‑only allowance and the draft standards. The council packet will include written public comments received and staff responses, Matson said.
Next steps: the package goes to a City Council workshop in February, with council consideration for ordinance action to follow. If the council modifies the recommendation, staff indicated it may include additional public‑notice or hearing steps.
