Findings Continued

Much of the Storefront document details signage design.

Given the necessary scope of sign code amendments, in terms of process and complexity, it is not intended that this project involve such revisions.


The only exception is that staff intent to explore additional signage allotments that would be contextually fitting with the historic nature of the area. The suggestions include painted wall signs and architectureal signage features such as the one shown in this photo.

Staff will develop regulations that would permit/promote these kinds of signs to add to the sense of place for the Harborside district.

Findings Continued

The exitsing Regulations state:

"Buildings shall respect the architectural heritage of the neighborhood with complimentary choices for materials, building scale, proportions and architectural details".



Staff intent to clarify this direction, by defining permitted materials that would complement the more architecturally interesting buildings in the area, such as those in the image on the left.

Findings Continued

The Design Regulations for the Harborside area require weather protection along building frontages; and all awning and/or canopies must be designed to compliment the aesthetic and architectural characteristics of the neighborhood.

However in terms of awnings, the Strorefront Doc states,

“keep it light and airy using translucent materials to allow sunlight to filter through and provide views of overhead signage”.

We currently do not have this refinement of direction in our regulations resulting in some existing awning designs impacting the effectiveness of transom windows, and the overall architectural interest of the building façades.

Staff intent to add language to the regulations to promote the types of solutions such as the one pictured here.

Findings Continued

The existing design regulations define some elements that are not permited such as prohibiting “blank walls” and back-lit awnings.

However, the majority of the Design Regulations document states specific requirements. The 1st section (Site Plan, Buildings) incorporates a number of key elements that are identified in the 2006 Storefront Document, making only a few additions necessary.

Given the general strength of the existing Design Regulations, staff have identified three aspects of the 2006 work that we would like to incorporate. Regulations dealing with: AWNINGS, FACADE MATERIALS, and ARCHITECTURAL SIGNAGE

Findings Continued

The character or context of an area is defined by such factors as its architectural style, and quality of public facilities.

The design regulations help ensure that new development will be compatible and complimentary to the existing character and community's vision of the city.

The Design Regulations use the accronym SAFE to define the parameters for all new development.
Safe stands for

S—safe

A—attractive

F—fits the neighborhood

E—efficient and useable

There are also additional regulations that are specific to three areas of the city because of their unique nature. These are the SR-20 and Midway Avenue corridors, and Harborside

Analysis Phase Complete - Findings

This update is focusing on specific design provisions for the historic downtown district.

The rules defined in the Design Regulations & Guidelines document help direct the look and function of new development in our city.

The rules require design that is human scaled, people oriented, neighborhood appropriate, builds on our community's history and addresses the street and public areas.

Staff's presentation to the Planning Commission on July 22, 2008 was intended to gain direction from the Planning Commission. The next step will be to draft appropriate Code language, conduct additional public outreach, and return to the Planning Commission shortly.

The Planning Commission will then be forwarding a recommendation on to City Council.

The adaptation and adoption process involved looking at two specific documents developed in 2006 as part of the Windjammer Program to see how they could best be incorporated into our Design Regulations for the Harborside District (Downtown Streetscape and Storefront Design Guidelines).

The Downtown Streetscape document defines details, often called “street furniture”, that will become components of the Pioneer Way street improvement program.

These describe the elements that are within the public realm, and would largely only relate to new developments, such as street lights, landscaping, public art, benches, bike racks, etcetera.

The Storefront document states that its objective includes restoring the character, integrity, and visual appeal of existing downtown buildings.

However, much of the suggested design solutions are site and building specific, and do not provide direction for new development within the district. This project is intended to take the main principles of that work and incorporate it in the existing Design Regulations so that it is fair and useable for all sites within the Harborside area.