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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/25/2004 o .~ ~ ~ <. pORT,ANGEtES WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street February 25,2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Special Meeting Time - 6 p.m. II. ROLL CALL III. APPROV AL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting of January 2S, 2004 IV. WORK SESSION: 1. Comprehensive Plan Review and Analysis 2. Parking Ordinance Review V. ELECTIONS VI. COMMUNICA TIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VII. STAFF REPORTS VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS . IX. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Linda Nutter (Chair), Fred Hewins (Vice Chair), Chuck Schramm, Fred Norton, Bob Philpott, Len Rasmussen, Dylan Honnold .PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Director; Scott Johns, Associate Planner; Sue Roberds, Assistant Planner. . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 February 25, 2004 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Philpott, Fred Hewins, Fred Norton, Linda Nutter, Chuck Schramm, Leonard Rasmussen, Dylan Honnold Members Excused: None Staff Present: Brad Collins, Scott Johns, Sue Roberds Public Present: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Philpott moved to continue review of the January 28, 2004, minutes to March 10,2004. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hewins and passed 7 - O. WORK SESSION: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW AND ANALYSIS Associate Planner Scott Johns discussed the Comprehensive Plan update process indicating the public participation to date and the next steps in the process. Materials regarding building permits issued for residential units (single family, manufactured, and multi-family dwellings) since the year 1990, the recent number of lots created by both subdivision and short plat, and population projections for the City were discussed. An error in the calculations for the population projections was identified and Mr. Johns indicated that he would correct the problem and provide corrections by the next Planning Commission meeting.. PARKING ORDINANCE REVIEW Director Collins provided a memorandum outlining changes being proposed by the Council's Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee following review of those changes recommended by the Planning Commission in 2001. Director Collins stated that it is evident from the Commission's January 28th discussion that Commissioners are very concerned with the current proposal by the CED to allow a number of alternatives which would reduce the amount of the minimum required parking for business uses without real standards, and that the Commission firmly believes that there will be an increased potential of negative impacts to neighboring businesses and uses if such a change is implemented. He continued by saying that some members of the CED Committee have a different view of parking and feel that the City's parking requirements are preventing businesses from locating in the City. He suggested that if the Commission wishes to express its nearly unanimous concerns to the Council, a representative should attend the March 16, 2004, Council public hearing scheduled for consideration of the Parking Ordinance amendment . . . Planning Commission Minutcs Fcbruary 25, 2004 Page 2 Commissioner Hewins felt that the flaw in allowing business parking to be based on the projected occupancy or employee count is that such action will prevent future expansion of that business if the count changes and additional parking is not available and constant monitoring to ensure that the preliminary projections by the business operator are valid. Requiring a standard minimum parking number ensures that the playing field is level from the start and everyone is assured of a minimum number of parking that is based on industry standard parking practices recognized by professional planners and engineers. By allowing variations in parking standards that are created without specific reasoning, businesses will be unable to expand and that is certainly not what is desired or encouraged and would certainly cause anger and frustration. Commissioner Rasmussen expressed skepticism that a business owner should or could adequately determine his own parking needs in an unbiased manner. Commissioner Nutter pointed out that because the new proposal includes the ability for administrative approvals to be given to reduce or determine the amount of required parking without public notice, neighboring property owners won't know that a reduction has been given until such time when a parking situation becomes untenable because there has been no public process, and then any appeal period would have passed. So, nothing could be done by those imposed upon short of a civil action while this scenario would pit one business owner against another which is most definitely not encouraged. Commissioner Hewins pointed out that to allow shared parking up to 2 1/2 blocks away from a business site is not practical. Ifpeople can't park within a short distance from where they wish to go, they won't patronize a business and then business really will be driven away by the laxity of parking regulations. Commissioner Norton agreed with Commissioners Nutter's and Hewins' comments. Commissioner Hewins reiterated that it is short sided to make this major a change in standard parking requirements that are basically accepted in every municipality in one form or another and that are based on solid standards and made on the presumption that there is a problem that is causing businesses to not locate within the City. Before such a change is considered, there should be substantial evidence that there is a problem. He suggested that if it is perceived that there is a problem, the problem should be documented and solutions reached only after that documentation because to react is not to solve a problem but to create different ones. There are more problems with the lack of parking in this town than with too much parking. He pointed out that in the past ten years, only 3 requests for parking variances have been considered by the Commission, and in every instance, an equitable solution was found through the public process. Commissioner Schramm agreed that this major a change is short sided which is not in the best interest of the citizenry the Commission is directed to serve. The expectation of minimum standards based on industry studies benefits the community as a whole and to make change those standards without specific, verifiable reasoning is definitely not. Commissioner Rasmussen added that the new proposed parking changes would seem to benefit a few at the expense of the many. The current Parking Ordinance has a focus on the Downtown needs which are not beneficial to everyone because, the Downtown has a very different set of parking problems and needs. He was adamant that minimum standards be set for consistent parking lot development. Commissioner Honnold works in the Downtown and for the most part has not observed an insurmountable problem. He would like to review more documentation as to why this type of major parking amendment is being proposed before deciding if there is a problem. Planning Commission Minutes February 25, 2004 Page 3 . Commissioner Philpott did not see a reason to tighten up parking restrictions. Commissioner Nutter stated that a lack of adequate parking negatively affects surrounding property owners, business patrons, employees, and the general community. She pointed to the Hospital's continuing parking problem in support of this statement. She is convinced that perceptions are what are driving the proposed changes by the CED rather than statistics. In response to Director Collins' suggestion that a Commission representative be present at the Council's March 16,2004, public hearing, Commission Schramm was appointed. ELECTIONS Commissioner Rasmussen nominated Commissioner Norton, who declined the nomination but nominated Commissioner Hewins as Chair who was appointed by unanimous declaration. Commissioner Hewins nominated Commissioner Rasmussen as Vice Chair, who was appointed by unanimous declaration. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None ST AFF REPORTS . None REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Philpott noted some well planned areas, mainly in Arizona, where he recently traveled. Commissioner Rasmussen indicated that he had the same experience on a trip taken this past Fall. Commissioner Norton attended a P A Forward meeting where Urban Growth Area issues and annexation were discussed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p,m. ~~ Brad Collins, Secretary gttndA ~ Lin , a Nutter, Cha PREPARED BY: S, Roberds .