City Council Delays Intersection Decision, Approves Street Painting Rules
Neighbors opposed altering the Sheridan Street and Sims Way intersection, Seton Construction granted Lawrence Street project.
PORT TOWNSEND, WA — On Monday, August 17, City Council approved an update to the city's street painting code, reaffirming the city's editorial control over public art while delaying a decision on safety changes at the Sheridan Avenue and Sims Way intersection. Council also awarded Seton Construction the Lawrence Street contract. Discussion-only items on the agenda were not included in this article.
A debated left turn
The most contentious discussion centered on proposed traffic safety changes at the Sheridan Street and Sims Way intersection. Staff had recommended making southbound Sheridan right-turn only, turning the four-way intersection into a three-way intersection and installing temporary plastic tubular markers to create a safer pedestrian crossing.
Residents from the adjacent neighborhoods voiced strong opposition, saying they received insufficient notice about the proposal and feared increased traffic on their narrow streets. On August 7th, city staff distributed door hangers to nearby residents about the proposed change and encouraged them to attend the August 17 meeting.
"People who may not be familiar with town will see on their mapping software, go down Sheridan and go left at Sims. Now they're going to go through the neighborhood," said Jeff Mather, a Cleveland Street resident, during public comment.
Staff said the changes would improve safety for pedestrians crossing Sims Way and that drivers could still reach downtown via 10th or 12th streets from Sheridan Street.
The council voted to postpone the intersection decision until August 24, and requested staff return with additional traffic safety data and community outreach. The council approved paint striping on Sheridan Street between 10th Street and 15th Street to add both bike and pedestrian lanes, and bike lanes on San Juan Avenue. As for Monroe Street, council chose to retain the existing parking configuration rather than bike lanes.
Street art not for private expression
The council unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 3368, which amends Chapter 12.11 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code concerning street use permits and street painting. The measure updates approval criteria to give the council broader discretion over permanent or semi-permanent street paintings, clarifying that such installations constitute city speech and not a public forum for private expression.
"We propose a change from a strict criteria to approval guidelines, allowing the city to find that a proposal positively promotes public spaces and is consistent with community character," said City Attorney Austin Watkins. The ordinance retains guidelines against violent imagery, sexually graphic content, religious symbols, hate speech and political campaign materials.
The vote coincides with upcoming street art projects in the Uptown neighborhood, including a farmers market mural and rainbow pride crosswalk scheduled for early September. Organizers from the Jefferson County Farmers Market, Port Townsend Pride and Gudlife plan a community painting event September 1-3 at the intersection of Lawrence and Tyler Streets.
Local company awarded contract
In other action, the council awarded a $2.9 million construction contract to Seton Construction for the Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project, which includes new sidewalks, bike lanes and utility upgrades from Walker to Harrison streets. Work is scheduled to begin September 14, with completion expected in spring 2027.
Council members expressed excitement that a local company was awarded the contract, as Council Member Monica MickHager said, “I love local; Keep the money here.”
The meeting marked the final council appearance for City Manager John Mauro, who is departing after seven years with the city.
