Mill Creek design board approves citywide monument signs, favors exterior illumination

Ken Lowry, vice chair of the Mill Creek Design Review Board, called the board to order at the March meeting and introduced a citywide monument-sign replacement project presented by public works staff.

Robert Bean, a civil engineer with the city’s public works department, told the board the program would install signs at nine locations across the city, fabricate seven new freestanding monument signs, refurbish several existing smaller signs and remove or relocate others. "Based on these findings and conclusions, the staff recommends approval," Bean said, summarizing the staff report and criteria showing the proposals meet the applicable sign standards in the packet.

The board discussed technical details and trade-offs. Bean described two lighting approaches: internal LED illumination limited to letters and the city logo, and external lighting that illuminates the entire face. He said the large signs would be illuminated initially; conduit and junction boxes will be installed at all locations so smaller signs can be powered later if the city chooses. "The LED bulbs themselves will last 15 years," Bean said when discussing expected maintenance and longevity.

Committee members raised concerns about glare for drivers at certain intersections and the durability of acrylic panels and paint. One member asked whether a proposed sign in a residential area (Sign 6) made sense; staff clarified Sign 6 would be refurbished and reinstalled rather than replaced with a new larger sign to avoid grading into an existing mound. Members also discussed maintenance burdens such as vandalism and landscape upkeep and asked staff to confirm product warranties and UV protection for paints.

On a motion by a committee member, seconded by Rasha, the board voted to approve the staff recommendation with an expressed preference for exterior illumination for the large signs while ensuring conduit is run for future power connections at the smaller signs. The mover read the motion aloud: "I move the design review board approve the city signage, providing that it is a an exterior illuminated, signage, as presented..." Several members responded "aye," and the board recorded approval. Ken Lowry then closed the item and the meeting later adjourned.

Staff said the contractor work would begin after city council consideration; Bean estimated installation activity would last about eight weeks once the council approves the project. Funding sources and bid amounts were not specified in the presentation and will be part of the council packet.

The board will forward its findings and the board’s lighting preference to the City Council for final action.