HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01/14/2004
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
January 14, 2004
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Bob Philpott, Fred Norton, Linda Nutter, Len Rasmussen
Members Excused:
Chuck Schramm, Fred Hewins
Staff Present:
Brad Collins, Sue Roberds, Jim Mahlum
Public Present:
None
APPROV AL OF MINUTES
Commission er Philpott moved to approve the December 10,2003, min utes as presen ted.
Chair Nutter stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. The motion was called for
by Commissioner Norton and passed 2 - 0 with Commissioner Norton abstaining due to
absence at the meeting. Commissioner Nutter resumed the Chair.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Chair Nutter indicated that those who testify must sign the "Sign In" log and affirm that their
testimony will be truthful to the best of their knowledge.
STREET VACATION PETITION - STY 03-04 - CITY OF PORT ANGELESIUNITED
STATES ARMY - Unnamed right-of-way north of Milwaukee Drive east of the City's
landfill site: Request for vacation of unopened right-of-way.
Assistant Planner Sue Roberds reviewed the Department's report recommending approval
ofthe vacation as proposed and responded to questions from the Commission as to reasons for the
vacation and particularly the one-half street portion. Director Collins added, in response to a
question from Commissioner Rasmussen, that although the practice is not to vacate half streets, in
this case the vacation is in the public interest to allow the development of municipal facilities and
the half street area proposed in the northeast area of the subject site will allow access to the
neighboring property owner who has several separate pieces of property at that location to continue
with uninterrupted or changed access to the property. He also noted that for reasons which are no
longer clear the reserved right-of-way at the western edge of the original Townsite was made 100
feet wide. So, vacating half ofthe right-of-way still leaves a 50' right-of-way which meets minimum
City standards for right-of-way. Chair Nutter opened the public hearing.
Jim Mahlum, City of Port Angeles Engineering Division, presented a drawing of the
proposed development of the subject area that would be enabled by the vacation of the unnamed
right-of-way. He indicated that a nonmotorized path is planned between Milwaukee Drive and West
18th Street, however, no through vehicular access is available to Milwaukee Drive.
There being no further testimony Chair Nutter closed the public present.
P/anJrillg Commission MillJlles
Jallllary /4, 2004
Page 2
. Following brief discussion, Commissioner Philpott moved to recommend approval of the
vacation as proposed citing the following findings and conclusions:
Findings:
] . A petition requesting vacation of a portion of unopened, unnamed right-of-way located north
of Milwaukee Drive and south of West 18th Street was submitted by the City of Port Angeles
Public Works Department and the United States Army on December 2, 2003. The unnamed
right-of-way originally formed the extreme edge of the original Townsite of Port Angeles.
Annexations in 1957 and 1971 for municipal purposes extended the City limits further to
the west to the current City limits,
2. Per RCW 35.79.010, two thirds of the owners of property in an area may request vacation
of property and comprise a valid request for such action. The U.S. Anny does not wish to
acquire any ofthe right-of-way as verified by the letter accompanying the petition and raised
no objection as to the City obtaining ownership of the entire subject area.
3. Abutting properties are zoned Public Buildings and Parks (PBP) and Industrial Light (IL)
and are operated as the City's landfill operation, the William R. Fairchild International
Airport, and a private mining operation. The City's Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map
identifies the area as being in the Northwest Planning Area and designated as Industrial (I).
4.
The City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Map were reviewed for consistency with the
proposed vacation of right-of-way. Land Use Element Commercial Goals and Policies
Policy EJ; Industrial Goal H and Policies 3 and 4; Utilities and Public Services Goal D and
Policies D.9 and D.10; and Capital Facilities Goal A were found to be relevant to the
proposal.
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5. The subject right-of-way area is composed of two strips - one being 100' x 379.4+ feet in
size and one being 50' x 694.2+ feet in size for a total of 72,659 square feet in area.
6. The City of Port Angeles' Real Estate Committee met on December 12, 2003, to discuss the
proposal and to establish a value for the right-of-way. A value of$0.11 per square foot was
set based on the assessment of other similar properties in the area for a valuation of
$7,792,92 for the subject area.
7. Properties south of the site are owned and operated by the Port of Port Angeles as a portion
of the William R. Fairchild International Airport. Access through the unopened right-of-
way to the property south of the site is not desired due to Airport restrictions in the clear
area. Access to the Airport property is obtained through the Airport.
8. The vacating of a street is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act
(SEPA) review per Section 197-] 1-800 (2) (h) of the Washington Administrative Code.
9. The site was posted for a land use action and required publication appeared in the Peninsula
Dailv News on December 16,2003. No public comment was received,
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At its December 16, 2003, regular meeting, the Port Angeles City Council established a
public hearing date for action on the street vacation petition as February 3,2004. The Port
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 14, 2004
Page 3
Angeles Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed street vacation on
January 14,2004.
Conclusions:
A. Traffic patterns on surrounding streets will not be negatively impacted by the vacation. In
fact, the flow of traffic to and from the Blake site will be improved with the ability to utilize
a second improved ingress/egress point by way of Third Street which will be improved by
the abutting property owner for access in consolidation of the site.
B. The proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the City's Comprehensive Plan
specifically: Land Use Element Industrial Goals and Policies Goal G; Land Use Element
Commercial Goals and Pohcies Goal D and H and Policies DJ and H.4; and Transportation
Element Goal B.
C. The street vacation is in the public interest as it places unused right--of-way on the tax roles
and allows for the retention and expansion of existing businesses in the area.
Commissioner Norton seconded the motion which passed 4 - O.
PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION - MORRISON - 3900 Block Old Mill Road: A
proposed subdivision in the RS-9, Residential Single Family zone. (Continue to
February 11 at applicant's request.)
Chair Nutter opened the public hearing and noted that the applicant had asked that the item
be continued to February 11, 2004. Commissioner Norton moved to continue the public hearing
to February 11, 2004, 7 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen and
passed 4 - O.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
ST AFF REPORTS
Director Collins indicated that the City's Comprehensive Plan Citizen Advisory Committee
(CAe), of which Commissioner Hewins is a representative, had met and would be putting together
a detailed public participation program for review ofthe Plan. He explained that a major kickoffhas
been planned entitling the review as "2020 Vision for Port Angeles" with interactive internet
participation as a part of a full marketing campaign.
Assistant Planner Sue Roberds noted that as a result of inquiry by the Planning Commission
and concurrence with the City Council members, the City Attorney is working on a notice to record
form that will enable conditions attached to certain permits to be recorded with the County Auditor.
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 14, 2004
Page 4
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Rasmussen was glad to be back from his lengthy trip and noted some planning
issues he had observed while on vacation.
Commissioner Philpott stated that he will be out of the state for the next two meetings and
will return on February 23td.
Commissioner Nutter noted an article in a newspaper entitled "Strait News and Report JJ that
had been delivered to her home that might be of interest to other Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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PREPARED BY: S, Roberds