Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/02/1994 . . . AGENDA CITY OF PORT ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street Port Angeles, W A 98362 February 2, 1994 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of January 26, 1994. IV. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. PROPOSED CAPITAL FACILITIES ELEMENT AND PLAN AND OTHER POTENTIAL REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN'S GOALS AND POLICIES V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS Vll. REPORTS OF BOARD MEl\fBERS Vill. ADJOURNMENT All correspondence pertaining to a hearing item received by the Planning Department at least one day prior to the scheduled hearing will be provided to Commission members before the hearing. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE: Spokesmen for the proponents and opponents will be given an opportunity to speak to the request. Information submitted should be factual. relevant and not merely duplication of a previous presentation. A reasonable time (10 minutes) shall be allowed the spokesman; others shall be limited to short supporting remarks (5 minutes). Other interested parties will be allowed to comment briefly (5 minutes each) or make inquiries. The Chairman may allow additional public testimony if the issue warrants it. Brief rebuttal (5 minutes) for proponents and opponents will be heard separately and consecutively with presentation limited to their spokesman. Rebuttal shall be limited to factual statements pertaining to previous testimony. Comments should be directed to the Board, not the City Staff representatives present, unless directed to do so by the Chairman. Members: Bob Winters, Chair; Cindy Souders, Vice Chair; Bob Philpott; Orville Campbell; Roger Calts; and Carl Alexander. Planning Staff: Brad Collins, Director; John Jimerson, Associate Planner; Sue Roberds, Office Specialist, David Sawyer, Senior Planner. . . . Planning Commission Agenda VB. COMMUNlCA TIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Vill. STAFF REPORTS IX. REPORTS OF BOARD MEMBERS X. ADJOURNMENT All correspondence pertaining to a hearing item received by the Planning Depanmem at least one day prior to the scheduled hearing will be provided to Commission members before the hearing. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE: Spokesmen for the proponents and opponents will be given an opportunity to speak to the request. Information submitted should be factual, relevant and not merely duplication of a previous presentation. A reasonable time (to minutes) shall be allowed the spokesman; others shall be limited to short supporting remarks (5 minutes). Other interested parties will be allowed to comment briefly (5 minutes each) or make inquiries. The Chairman may allow additional public testimony if the issue warrants it. Brief rebuttal (5 minutes) for proponents and opponents will be heard separately and consecutively with presentation limited to their spokesman. Rebuttal shall be limited to factual statements pertaining to previous testimony. Comments should be directed to the Board, not the City Staff representatives present, unless directed to do so by the Chairman. . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 February 2, 1994 7:00 pm I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Winters called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. IT. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Bob Winters, Linda Nutter, Carl Alexander and Roger Catts Commissioners Excused: Cindy Souders, Bob Philpott and Orville Campbell. Staff Present: Brad Collins, David Sawyer and Sue Roberds. Public Present: Mr. and Mrs. Horrocks, Mr. Snell, Mr. Harris, Susan Feiro, Barbara and Joe Eckert, Cheryl Baumann, Skip Berquam, Don Mcinnes, Ken Schermer, Renee Cochran, Ron McConnell, JanaBecker, Karl Schouten, Kay Gamson, Dave Milligan, Gennelle Doyle, Mary Craver. ill. APPROV AL OF MINUTES Review of the February 2, 1994, minutes was continued to February 9, 1994. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS: PROPOSED CAPITAL FACILITIES ELEMENT AND OTHER POTENTIAL REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES: (Continued from January 26, 1994.) Chair Winters noted that the public hearing is continued from January 26, 1994. David Sawyer provided a brief background report stating staff requests that the hearing be further continued to February 16, 1994. A staff recommendation will be presented at at that time. He summarized for those in the audience who did not attend the January 26 meeting that in the spring of 1993, the City Council was considering the Growth Management Advisory Committee's (GMAC) first draft of the Comprehensive Plan. That review included goals and policies for all the elements with the exception of the Capital Facilities Element. Following a public hearing the City Council directed formation of the Capital Facilities Planning Committee to prepare a Capital Facilities Planning Commission Minutes February 2, 1994 Page 2 of 6 . Plan. The GMAC then prepared the Capital Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan. A six-year financing plan is included in the Capital Facilities plan to show what monies are available and for what programs, with ranking by a priority system. Both the Element and the Plan have established levels of service for various City services. The GMAC recommendation states that water, sewer, electrical power and streets have to be in place at the time of development, and adequate school facilities have to be in place within six years of development. The Planning Commission has been requested to continue its public hearing to February 16, 1994, prior to forwarding a recommendation to the City Council in March. Following the City Council's decision on the draft document, the plan will be forwarded to the State for review and comment. After the State's review period, the City Council will consider any comments from the State and then formally adopt the Plan. The plan must be in place by July 1, 1994. . Mr. Sawyer explained that the displayed (Comprehensive Plan) Land Use Map represents a guidance tool for the City's current and long range planning. The zoning map is to show in more detail where particular uses are allowed in the City. The zoning map has to be consistent with the Land Use Map. The Land Use Map's bubble concept allows some flexiblity in land use/zoning decisions. The map does not automatically change the zoning for an area. In response to Commissioner Catts, Mr. Collins answered that generally speaking, the staff recommendations to be presented at the February 16 meeting are not contrary to the GMAC direction. There may be some areas of disagreement, which will be highlighted for the Commission's review. In almost all instances, those will be issues that were discussed at the GMAC meetings with staff. There are very limited differences. Chair Winters noted that letters have been received from Mr. Don McInnes and Mr. Allan Horrocks, Susan Feiro, and the Port Angeles Region Transportation Committee. Allan Horrocks, 2410 South Lincoln, was concerned that the area between Chase and Laurel south of Lauridsen Boulevard shows an expansion of the commercial area into the residential area to the south. He stated that he would prefer a more definite boundary be used, other than the bubble concept shown, which could send the wrong message to potential developers about the possibility of extension of a commercial area. Skip Berquam, 1130 Grant A venue, represented the Port Angeles School District regarding school concurrency. Considerable discussion ensued in which he explained the formulas that had been used in determining level of service needs. . Ken Schermer, 738 West Sixth Street, represented both the GMAC and the County Wide Transportation Committee, and emphasized that the Transportation Committee strongly recommends the City concur with the December 22, 1993, document provided by the Transportation Committee, and possibly consider that recommendation to facilitate PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 2, 1994 PAGE 3 OF 6 . an alternate crosstown or a bypass route. The Committee's recommendation is to develop a parkway which would originate at Morse Creek, following the Bonneville Powerline eastment, to Race/Lauridsen Boulevard. This proposal would avoid directing traffic in front of the College, Franklin School and Crestwood Convalescent Center areas. Mr. Schermer expressed disappointment with the rating system used in the Capital Facilities Plan. He gave examples of projects that have gone unfunded for many years which are badly needed, but due to the high cost of these projects, for instance extension of Milwaukee Drive, these projects are rated low. The higher cost, the lower the rating. This is not a good method to provide for the community's high priority needs. In response to Commissioner Alexander, Mr. Schermer answered that the Transportation Committee's proposal has not been fully endorsed as yet. Public hearings will be held at future dates. Mr. Sawyer stated that Wendy Clark, the County's Transportation Planner, said that the subject plan has not been endorsed as a specific route at this time, but the concept of such a plan is being recommended for consideration. . David Milligan, 1735 West Sixth Street, addressed the Commission regarding a local alternate crosstown traffic route. He supported the general concept but thought that a City bypass originating from the Morse Creek area could cost so much that the project may never happen. An alternate crosstown traffic route is desirable to alleviate some of the congestion that is apparent especially during peak tourist seasons. Mr. Milligan noted that there is no funding in the Capital Facilities Plan for a westside fire station. The policy that there shall be no development outside of a four-minute response radius would stop development in those areas outside of that four-minute response area. Mr. Sawyer answered Mr. Milligan that the four-minute response time is a health standard that requires assistance for health reasons within four minutes. He stated that school concurrency is of a concern because of the uncontrollable factors, such as school policy, and other funding opportunities, which control the concurrency. Mr. Sawyer responded that there is a policy in the draft plan that calls for an agreement before the concurrency requirement can be enforced. . Margaret Crawford, 2619 South Race Street, representated both the GMAC and the Port Angeles School Board. As a member of the Port Angeles School Board, she requested that school concurrency be included in the City's and County's planning efforts. The Growth Management Act (GMA) forces the City to look at all of the services that community taxpayers pay for, and the types of services they need and expect in the community. Schools are a core service. They are not provided for specifically by the City. The City Council does not regulate how school services are provided nor determine ultimately the types and levels of service. The same constituents and taxpayers are served. The GMA forces a look at how the City's and School Districts' policies and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 2. 1994 PAGE 4 OF 6 . decisions are interdependent. School concurrency is not required by GMA, but it is worth significant consideration because good schools are an essential service to the community. She hoped that some agreement could be arrived at to keep dialogue open. The City's endorsement will ensure the best possible. level of service for everyone. Ron McConnell, 11000 N.E. 33rd Place, BeUevue, planning consultant with the firm of McConnell Burke, Bellevue, representing Albertson's. The firm of McConnell Burke provides planning services for a number of jurisdictions throughout the State of Washington. He offered three additional commercial policies which he felt would enhance the Draft Comprehensive Plan document. Speaking from nearly thirty years in the planning field, he favored the bubble concept in land use plans. Flexibility and policy guidelines are necessary to assure that a plan can address and deal with changes that time brings. . Carl Schroeder, 1331 East Lauridsen Boulevard, stated that because of the development along the current alternate crosstown route, Lauridsen Boulevard east of Lincoln across White's Creek, that route does not seem feasible anymore. A major traffic route cannot be a good neighbor to Peninsula College, Franklin School, Crestwood Convalescent Center and the heavy residential development located in the proposed area. The speed limit has recently been reduced in the area which would signify that the area would not allow for speed limits which are normally found in arterial trafficways. He does not agree that an alternate crosstown route is needed. Larry Leonard, 1030 Olympus, questioned Goal H, Policy 4 (page 48), which provides for preservation of open space areas. The fire and medical emergency response time of four minutes severely restricts development without new facilities being constructed. The current wording (page 33) states that any development is covered under concurrency. Development outside of the four minute response time would require an amendment to the Draft Plan, or removal of the response requirement entirely. Sprinkling a residence can address an increase fire response requirement, but not a medical one. Concurrency with schools is not required by the GMA. It is not necessary. Large projects will not necessarily put schools over the top on concurrency issues. Some large developments will not be occupied by children. Port Angeles has a large number of development proposals that do not encourage children. He added that he concurred with a previous speaker, that extension of Milwaukee Drive should have a higher priority, as it has been an issue for many years. . Cheryl Baumann, 2310 South Chase Street, spoke of quality of life issues. She was pleased to see that the needs for sidewalks, open space and getting people out of their cars and into walking areas and public transportation is encouraged in the Plan. The needs for development and the school district are not inconsistent. The school district is aware that development dollars contribute heavily to school projects. However, to allow development to continue without examining the impacts of traffic, schools, services, residential areas does not make sense. . . . PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 2, 1994 PAGE 5 OF 6 She agreed that the Comprehensive Plan is inconsistent when looking at Lauridsen Boulevard as an alternate crosstown route. Page 22, of the existing Comprehensive Plan discusses the City's commercial areas. It notes that the basic intent of the commercial element is to strengthen and encourage the existing major commercial areas of the community while providing for the orderly development of future neighborhood shopping areas. Strip commercial development along arterials is to be discouraged in favor of neighborhood shopping areas. The proposed Draft Plan appears to provide a heavy commercial area between Lincoln and Laurel south of Lauridsen Boulevard. That area should not be as heavy commercial as the City's Commercial uT". She is in favor of cluster development along Lauridsen Boulevard or in other business areas that are very low intensive commercial in nature. There are no areas shown to allow low intensive commercial cluster development in residential areas. Renee Cochrun, 710 Scrivner Road, asked that the Commission concur with staff to continue the hearing to take testimony on a bypass issue. There being no further public testimony, Commissioner Catts moved to continue the public bearing to a special hearing on February 16, 1994, 7 pm, City Council Chambers. Commissioner Alexander seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Chair Winters extended an invitation to those present to attend the February 16 meeting. The Commission took a break at 8:43 pm, and reconvened at 9: 15 pm, V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None. VI. STAFF REPORTS Brad Collins referred to a survey submitted by the u1000 Friends of Washington". The survey evaluated the performance of the fifteen counties that were required to adopt an Interim Urban Growth Area by October 1, 1993. He noted that the City Council may prefer not to take a stance on school concurrency without a Planning Commission recommendation. Forks has indicated they do not wish to take a stand on concurrency. The City Council will hold a public hearing on February 15, 1994, to address the issue. VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Catts offered to extend his tenure on the Planning Commission until such time as the hearings on the Draft Comprehensive Plan have been completed, if the Council concurred. Chair Winters thanked Commissioner Catts for his offer. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 2. 1994 PAGE 6 OF 6 . VID. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm. ~.g~ Brad ollins, Secretary ~~\A Il--- Bob Winters, Chair PREPARED BY: Sue Roberds . ... . PLEASE SIGN IN . CITY OF PORT ANGELES Planning Commi~ion Attendance Roster '""" - Meeting Date: .