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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08/01/19942809 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington August 1, 1994 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Sargent called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order SPECIAL MEETING: at 1:11 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss various growth management issues in preparation for a meeting with the Clallam County Commissioners to be held on August 8, 1994. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Sargent, Councilmembers Braun, Doyle, Hulett [arrived at 1:20 p.m.], McKeown, and Schueler [arrived at 1:12 p.m.]. Members Absent: Councilman Ostrowski. Staff preSent: Manager Pomeranz, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, B. Collins, J. Pittis, B. Titus, and K. Ridout. Growth Management Growth Management: Planning Director Collins initiated the discussion by advising the Council that there is a connection between the Deer Park Gateway plan and the size of the Urban Growth Area. If the Council chooses to endorse the Deer Park Gateway plan, then Director Collins felt many of the other questions about the UGA would be foregone. The Council would need to determine if this plan would help growth in Port Angeles and how growth would best be accomplished. One of the major issues to be considered is the cost factor associated with crossing Morse Creek. Lengthy discussion ensued about the costs of extending the infrastructure, as well as the possibility of the P.U.D. getting into the sewer business by extending a line to the City's plant. If the Council were to agree to support the Deer Park project by extending City services to the area, Director Collins felt it possible that annexation would never occur, as there would be no incentive for the landowners in that area. Members of the Council discussed the City's current policy of not extending City services outside the City limits until the time of annexation. They considered the merit of this policy, particularly in light of the Deer Park project, In addition, it was noted there is a very good possibility that City services could reach maximum capacity levels without having served those citizens between Port Angeles' current City limits and the proposed Deer Park project. Public Works Director Pittis indicated the present system could serve approximately 24,000 people, no matter where they are located. Discussion was held concerning the difference in opinion between the City and the County with relation to development standards, i.e., the County would like to develop areas to urban density. Also, consideration was given to the fact that services must be made available within six years following annexation. Growth in the area of K Mart was discussed, as well as the infrastructure required to support this growth. Retail shops don't require sewer services as much as a restaurant or motel. Mayor Sargent expressed concern with establishing an Urban Growth Area of such magnitude that City services would reach maximum capacity. Councilman Doyle emphasized it is at the City's discretion as to what services will be provided. Director Collins agreed; however, he indicated the City must have a plan on how the services are going to be provided. He noted there is an expectation on the part of those living in the Urban Growth Area that the City will eventually provide services. Director Pittis advised the Council that, in the past, it has been the City's position that those individuals who would benefit from City services would pay for those services through an LID process.. There are problems, however, when there is a "leap frog" delivery of services, as the developer will have to pay the costs for what lies in between. Director Pittis briefly discussed current water utilization of those areas outside the City limits who receive P.U.D. water purchased from the City. As an example, he cited the fact that water in the Mill Creek Reservoir mined over three times in one day, which is excessive utilization. This particular matter will be brought to the Council for consideration in the near future. -1- 2810 August 1, 1994 Growth Management In the past, it has been the City's policy to annex in an orderly fashion. Councilman (Cont'd) Doyle felt the Deer Park project could be supported with an agreement that services would not be provided until the time of annexation, all of which must be accomplished in an orderly fashion. Mayor Sargent felt the City's first responsibility is to the City taxpayers. At the same time, however, the City must recognize the problems that the County is experiencing and find a way to work with the County so that growth can occur in an orderly fashion. It was noted that the current Capital Facilities Plan extends only to Morse Creek and if the Deer Park project is endorsed, the Capital Facilities Plan must be changed to reflect that addition. Financing such an endeavor must be a consideration in this regard. Attorney Knutson pointed out that extending the Urban Growth Area to Deer Park would merely add another segment to the Capital Facilities Plan. The County is not asking for haphazard development, but rather is asking for the orderly development of utilities through an agreement where the City alone would not have total control. Director Collins felt that any such discussion must be framed within the orderly growth of the City as opposed to the growth of the entire area. Director Pittis indicated the City is much closer to a resolution of the water issue for the region - more work needs to be done in the area of sewer. Sewer is more related to density issues, as anyone depositing into the City's system must meet the same criteria and regulations as the City. Also at issue is the capacity of the treatment plant and what would be involved in any future expansion. Consideration was given to the size of the Urban Growth Area and the placement of the eastern boundary at Morse Creek vs. Deer Park. The County has made it very clear that it wishes to develop beyond Morse Creek. Discussion was held concerning the specifics of the Deer Park Gateway project, and Director Collins indicated the project has not been funded as yet, so the landowners agreed to pay for the improvements. The City could specify that the only way services would be extended to Deer Park would be by annexation to the City. The boundary line for the Urban Growth Area could be a beginning for this discussion; however, Attorney Knutson cautioned the Council that the extension of City utilities and the Deer Park Gateway are two separate issues. Attorney Knutson cited the electric facility agreement between the P.U.D. and the City, as well as work underway for a similar agreement on water. He queried as to whether a similar arrangement could be made for sewer. Another issue to be addressed in the meeting with the County is that of school concurrency. Councilmember McKeown reported work has begun on the School Concurrency Task Force; she will prepare and distribute a memorandum in this regard. Also to be considered is the County-wide Planning Policy/Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Sargent was uncertain as to why the County wanted to discuss this at the August 8 meeting, as a meeting on this issue has been set for September 9. Discussion returned to the Deer Park project and the eastern boundary for the Urban Growth Area. In an effort to reach consensus on this issue, Mayor Sargent polled the Council members for input, resulting in support of the western rim of Morse Creek Canyon as the boundary from four Council members and support of the Deer Park boundary from two Council members. After further consideration, it was agreed the Council's position would be to support the western Morse Creek boundary and the County would be asked to explain why the City should move the line to Deer Park. Further, it was agreed the Council will support its ongoing policy of nOt extending services without annexation occurring. Returning to the matter of school concurrency, Mayor Sargent felt it appropriate to advise the County as to the intentions of the School Concurrency Task Force, of which the County is a member. She asked that staff gather information as to what other municipalities are doing in this particular area. Director Collins pointed out that it is important to emphasize that no one is trying to constrain development. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. Cle~'~k q ~ - - -2-