Planning Commission modifies fence ordinance

The Ritzville Planning Commission voted to remove section 11.115.030, from the city’s Fence code at the Aug. 8 meeting.

Commission Chairman Stephen McFadden explained the commission decided to remove the section, referred to as the “clear view triangle,” from the fence chapter at the July 11 meeting.

The chapter stated no fencing or obstruction constituting a hazard to the public within an area designated as the clear view triangle.

He added the commission would need to add language to the Access, Alleys, Off-Street Parking and Loading chapter, which addresses vision clearance at intersections.

The chapter states no obstruction shall be placed at a height of over three feet above the established top of a curb grade. The restriction applies to public or privately-owned land in residentially zoned areas within street intersections or alley entrances.

Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt will present a draft of a modified ordinance and a document of Chapter 11.85 for the commission to review at the Sept. 12 meeting.

In other business, the commission approved two certificates of appropriateness. The first certificate would allow Flying Arts Ranch Owner John Rankin to restore the turret the H.E. Gritman building and paint H.E. Gritman Co. on the sign.

Rankin explained the building had two signs on it, one for the H.E. Gritman Company and the other was for Emerson Drug Company. While Rankin was conducting research, he found the sign had previously read H.E. Gritman Company.

He will also speak with the building’s owner to determine which colors she to use for the sign.

The second certificate of appropriateness would allow Rankin to paint a wall sign on the stucco of the Adams County Abstract and Title Company, owned by the Carpenter, McGuire, DeWulf law firm.

He explained the sign was on the corner of the original building and had previously read “We write insurance and bonds of all kinds, Adams County Abstract and Title Company.”

Rankin said when he presented the project to the building’s owner, Ken Carpenter was concerned about people from Adams County Jail coming to the law office pay for bail bonds. For the project, he would move “Adams County Abstraction Co.” to the top and separate it from the verbiage.

Rankin explained he will place the sign on the back panel over stucco. He may use black and white for the sign and place it three feet off the ground.

He added he had spoken with Carpenter and Rusty McGuire about the sign proposal and they approved it.