Kenmore planners weigh signs, small-scale manufacturing and neighborhood food stands

Britney, a community development staff member, told the commission the city currently allows “one sign identifying nonresidential uses, not exceeding 25 square feet and not exceeding 6 feet in height” in residential zones, with additional allowances for schools and limited wall signs for home occupations. She asked whether the commission wanted to allow freestanding signs in residential neighborhood retail in addition to wall and a-frame (portable) signs.

Commissioners broadly supported limiting permanent freestanding signs while allowing portable a-frame signs. One commissioner said staff’s packet recommendation “not recommend allowing freestanding signs in residential neighborhoods” made sense as a starting point and proposed drafting a narrow definition that distinguishes removable, temporary freestanding signs from permanent monument signs. Britney confirmed an a-frame portable sign is limited to 6 square feet and noted fences may or may not count as a structure under the wall-sign definition and that staff would follow up on that interpretation.

On small-scale production, commissioners debated whether light manufacturing should be treated as an accessory use tied to on-site retail sales or allowed more broadly. Several members said their intent is to encourage neighborhood retail and artisans — for example, makers who produce jewelry, ceramics or small-batch foods for sale — but not full-scale manufacturing that generates noise, fumes, dust or other impacts. One commissioner raised glass blowing as an example of a use that might create fumes or noise depending on scale. Staff described options used elsewhere, including Tacoma’s “craft production” permits and Bothell’s artisan-manufacturing approach, and the commission directed staff to research those models, consider accessory-use language, and return with draft code text and enforcement implications.

On mobile food service, commissioners tended to favor nonmotorized carts and stands in residential areas rather than food trucks. Members noted practical constraints — refrigeration and power needs on hills, and the likelihood that some useful examples would require a small power source — and asked whether Department of Health rules and business-licensing requirements would apply. Britney said vendors would still need to meet health and licensing rules and that unpermitted activity would be a code-enforcement issue.

Commissioners asked staff to return with revised code language, illustrative examples, comparisons to neighboring cities and suggested permit approaches for light or craft production. The commission did not take any formal motions or votes; staff will bring drafted code language and further research to a future meeting.