Astoria Planning Commission and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting - June 11, 2026

This combined session included a Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) portion followed by an Astoria Planning Commission (APC) portion. The APC portion convened at 6:06 p.m. and adjourned at 6:28 p.m. per the transcript; the supplied meeting timestamp is 2026-06-11 13:30:00+00:00. Date discrepancy: the agenda is dated April 28, 2026 and lists the next APC meeting as May 26, 2026, while the transcript references a Tuesday, July 28 future date; the source materials do not reconcile these dates.

Consent Calendar

• TSAC adopted the January 27, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote (motion by Commissioner Henry, seconded by Commissioner McGee).
• APC had no draft minutes to review.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry Pewford (396 West Lexington), a neighbor of the daycare, expressed strong concern about child safety: he said he has video of children running into the street and has witnessed close calls at the busy Lexington intersection. He also described parking blocking his driveway and mailbox, verbal abuse from the daycare operator, a city-negotiated drop-off/pickup plan that lasted only about a week, and a prior $35,000 driveway replacement caused by trucks backing up. He urged TSAC to act.
• Simon Steinman (393 West Lexington), a 25-year resident, said children are in the street daily, cars often pass through at 35–45 mph, and he has had three broken side mirrors in recent years after none in 25 years. He said he built a fence because his insurance company required it once the daycare opened next door, and he warned that it is a matter of time before a child is hit. He said his primary concern is children's safety.
• During the APC sign variance public hearing, no members of the public testified, and no commissioner declared a conflict of interest or objected to jurisdiction.

Discussion Items

• TSAC – Kayla's Kitty Cove daycare traffic concerns: The committee discussed whether to accept a traffic-safety review of complaints about a home daycare operating off Lexington. Staff explained that under new state law daycares may operate in any zone, but traffic, parking, health, and safety issues remain subject to city standards. Commissioner Wilmack questioned whether an unelected advisory body should take the matter; staff clarified TSAC makes recommendations to staff or City Council and does not set policy. Code Compliance Specialist Victoria Sage stated that at least 90% of the complaints boil down to parking/traffic, that code compliance does not regulate moving vehicles or right-of-way signage, and that remaining complaints fall under state licensing. Staff also noted that if TSAC declined to discuss it, City Council would likely send the traffic portion back to TSAC. No formal vote was taken, but commissioners did not oppose future consideration, and staff indicated they could prepare a staff report for a future meeting.
• APC – Fort George Brewery sign variance V25-09: Associate Planner Samuel Peterson presented the request by Roger McKay for Fort George Brewery to permit 39 signs totaling 550.16 square feet at 426 14th Street in the C-4 zone. Code limits in that zone are 64 square feet total, two signs per frontage, one square foot per linear foot of frontage, and one projecting sign per frontage; because the building has four frontages, eight signs would otherwise be allowed. Existing conditions included 20 signs totaling 94.16 square feet, some installed without permits. Staff described the building as historic, dating to 1920 and one of the only pre-fire buildings surviving the 1922 downtown fire. Staff supported the proposed band signage as consistent with historic photos and the existing Fort George campus, but recommended removing or reducing some window, neon, and other signs. The applicant's late request was to allow an 8.6-square-foot neon sign on the east elevation to remain. Staff's adjusted recommendation was 31 signs and 505 square feet, or 32 signs and 513.82 square feet if the east neon sign remained. The applicant, Roger McKay, said the goal was to unify the Fort George campus signage.
• In deliberation, commissioners expressed support. Commissioner Wilmack praised the applicant's artwork and the architectural fit, and supported keeping the neon sign. Commissioner Francis said some of the flyer/window sign issues were not worth the commission's time but agreed with the recommendation and the additional sign. Commissioner Croning supported using the building's existing architectural canvas. Commissioner Henry moved to adopt the staff findings and approve the variance, including allowing the "beer food merch" neon sign to remain; Commissioner Wilmack seconded.

Staff/Status Reports

• APC had a quarterly update from Community Development Director John Roberts in the packet; Director Roberts was unavailable. The agenda also listed the next APC meeting as Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• TSAC minutes were adopted unanimously.
• TSAC made no decision on the daycare complaint, but discussion signaled staff could move forward with preparing a staff report for possible future consideration.
• The Planning Commission approved Variance V25-09 by voice vote, with all commissioners in favor. Approval included staff findings and conditions, plus retention of the 8.6-square-foot east-elevation neon sign pending issuance of a sign permit. The resulting sign count is 32 signs totaling 513.82 square feet.
• The approved sign permit will be void after two years unless substantial construction has occurred or the use has begun; the Community Development Director may extend it by one year, and further extensions would require Planning Commission review. Historic compatibility must be determined by the city's historic preservation officer; Historic Landmarks Commission review is not required.