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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/13/2002 . ~RTANGELES WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street March 13,2002 I. CALL TO ORDER 7 p.m. II. ROLL CALL ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meetings of February 13,2002 and February 27,2002. IV. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - CUP 01-10 - SERENITY HOUSE. 2321 West Eighteenth Street: Request for a conditional use permit to allow a social service agency providing 24-hour care for a 50 - 70 resident emergency single adult shelter in the RMD, Residential Medium Density zone. (This item is continued from December 12,2001.) PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PROPOSED MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS - MCA 01-02 - CITY OF PORT ANGELES. City-Wide: Suggested changes to the City's sign, parking, enviromnental, subdivision, and zoning regulations (Titles 14-17). - The changes were largely recommended by the Citizens Code Advisory Committee appointed by the City Council in 2001. 2. REZONE - REZ 02-03 - PORT ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT - School District-owned properties located adiacent to the Port Angeles High School to be rezoned from RS-7. Residential Sin~le Family to PBP. Public Buildings and Parks. V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC . VI. STAFF REPORTS VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Limla Nutter (Chair), Chuck Schramm (Vice), Fred Hewins, Fred Norton, Bob Philpott, Mary Craver, Rick Porter PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Direetor; Scott Johns, Associate Planner; Sue Roberds, Assistant Planner. . . . . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 March 13 , 2002 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Philpott, Fred Hewins, Fred Norton, Rick Porter, Chuck Schramm, Mary Craver, One Vacancy Members Absent: None Staff Present: Brad Collins, Sue Roberds, Scott Jolms Public Present: Laurie Kross, Mary Wyman, Patti Hicklin, Ron Parker, Dan Jacobs, Ken Hays, Emily Marcus, Susan Lamica, Len Rasmussen, William Sallee, Amy Bahl, Desiree Boyer, Nancy Newman, Patricia Walker Community Development Director Brad Collins introduced the City's new Associate Planner Scott K. Johns to the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Norton moved to approve the February 13, 2002, minutes with a correction on page 9 (fourth paragraph) to read "Director Collins answered "no" and then noted that there has been a change in household size identified in the 1990 Census." The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hewins and passed 5 - 1 with Commissioner Craver abstaining due to her absence at the meeting. Commissioner Norton moved to approve the February 27, 2002, minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Porter, and passed 5 - 1 with Commissioner Craver abstaining due to her absence at the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING Vice Chair Schramm 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. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - CUP 01-10 - SERENITY HOUSE. 2321 West Eighteenth Street: Request for a conditional use permit to allow a social service agency providing 24-hour care for a 50 - 70 resident emergency single adult shelter in the RMD, Residential Medium Density zone. (This item is continued from December 12, 2001.) . . . Planning Commission Minu/es March 13, 2002 Page 2 Assistant Planner Sue Roberds reviewed the Planning Division's staff report recommending approval of the conditional use permit application. Vice Chair Schramm opened the public hearing. Laurie Kross, 16011/2 West 18//1 Street, Program Director for the Serenity House Single Adult Shelter, explained shelter policy and operation. Registered sex offenders are not allowed at the shelter. Additionally, a "do not admit" list ensures that former residents who have been a problem in the past are not allowed to visit or be housed on the property. Individuals who are afforded housing are required to sign a contract that details expectations oftheir stay which includes compliance with house rules and being actively involved in a case managed program defining short term goals and the course of action needed to achieve independent living. The shelter is partially resident managed which fosters community spirit and cooperation. Programs offered at the shelter are intended to help achieve self esteem, confidence, employability, and responsibility. The concept of giving back to a supportive community is instilled in the residents by doing weekly volunteer work which also helps transition into the conununity. Housing will be provided to single adults over the age of 18 including couples. The shelter is not co-ed, couples would be housed in separate rooms. In response to Commissioner Porter, Ms. Kross answered that, on average, 12 to 14 individuals are turned away each month for lack of space. F orty- five (45) persons were turned away due to lack of space during the month of February, 2002. Emergency shelters across the nation are turning people away as homelessness increases. In response to Commissioner Hewins, Ms. Kross responded that funding for the shelter is dependent on renewable government funding and grants. The Serenity House Thrift Store is a major fund source. If funding sources should become unavailable in the future, other sources would have to be sought to continue operation of the shelter activities or the property could be sold. Commissioner Schramm asked how many clients who were turned away during the month of February, 2002, were repeat clients. Ms. Kross responded that the ability to revisit the shelter is not set in stone. Everything done in the shelter depends on an individual action plan based on a client's performance, their ability to work within the community, their ability to work on their own goals, and to show some growth in what is expected of them. If advances are made and a client leaves but due to situations beyond their control need to return, they could again be housed until they could leave once more. If clients go absent without leave or have shown little progress throughout the year they are put on the "do not admit" list for a period oftime. Consequences need to fit the individual situation and client. Conunissioner Craver asked what process is used to determine if a person is a registered sex offender. Ms. Kross responded that she is able to access the Washington State data banks whenever someone applies for residency. She checks for background prior to admittance. She responded to a question about the number of instances the current shelter has had to call for Fire Department or Police Department assistance. The Police are called to assist if a resident is evicted and does not wish to leave. The Fire Department often comes by mistake when calls are made to any Serenity House use. She did not see a problem with a condition that no registered sex offenders would be allowed at the facility because they are not now and will not be allowed on the property. Only one fourth or fewer residents have operating vehicles. Government grants allow discrimination in the admittance to shelters of sexual offenders. Such offenders would not even be allowed to visit the property. . . . Planning Commi.ssion Minute.s March /3, 2002 Page 3 Ken Hays, Hays Architect 120 West Bell Street, Sequim, WA 98382 described the site design and intended use areas. The site can support 42 off-street parking spaces. The use is planned for approximately 2 acres at this time. Other than the proposed development, there are currently no plans for the remaining 2.31 acres. Ron Parker, 26021/2 West 18th Street, Life Skills and Case Management Director for Serenity House, emphasized that Serenity House residents are required to seriously pursue a course of action which would arrest conditions which cause homelessness while rebuilding their lives. The enforced structure of the programs provide a solid foundation for the possibility of success. Mary Wyman, 266 Colville Road, is a mental health counselor and a chemical dependency professional in Port Angeles. She does not work for Serenity House although she has volunteered at Serenity House in the past. The shelter provided her with a place to find a balance to her life and to pursue an education such that she has been able to work as an active professional in the Port Angeles community since 1991. Serenity House is a safe place to help those down on their luck with hope for better times. The people served by Serenity House are normal people who for unfortunate reasons have found themselves in unacceptable circumstances. Nancy Newman, 2711 West 1"" Street, is a neighbor in the area and expressed support for the conditional use permit. As a neighbor, she frequently walks in the vicinity of both the adult shelter and the family apartments operated by Serenity House and has never felt threatened or afraid to do so. Serenity House offers a clarity of purpose and sound rules through which they assist clients working through the unfortunate circumstances that have brought them to this time in their lives. They are currently very overcrowded and need to expand. She is confident as a neighbor that a new shelter will be of benefit to the community and will be good neighbors. William Sallee, 2421 West 18th Street, is a neighbor directly west of the subject property. The rezone of the property by the City Council on March 5, 2002, brought home the reality that the character of his neighborhood has dramatically changed from what he believed it would be when he purchased property in 2001. Although he knew that the property would at some point in time be developed, he expected that it would be single family residential development as that is how it was zoned. He did not anticipate that it would become rezoned for medium density housing. While he understands the convenience of Serenity House activities being close together, the close approximation ofa single adult shelter to the established family shelter seems incongruous. He has observed that people walking along the street going to and from the existing adult single shelter appear to have some issues with life and may be distressed. This is the situation that he finds incompatible with the neighborhood setting. He asked that ample fencing and landscaping be placed along the perimeters of the site, with the exception of 18th Street, in excess of the minimum required under zoning regulations to ensure soundproofing and to establish a visual buffer and defined site perimeters. Lighting needs to be discreet and designed to be sensitive to surrounding residential uses such that those areas are not negatively impacted due to security needs on the site. Outdoor recreational activities and group activities should be restricted to early evening hours such that the rural neighborhood character can be preserved. Finally, development of the site will not encompass the entire 4 acre parcel. Weeds on the undeveloped areas ofthe site should not be allowed to become overgrown and result in a site or fire hazard during growing months, The current shelter site has at times appeared to be untidy. The existing shelter operation has been a good neighbor, and he hopes that will continue. . . . Planning Commission Minutes March 13, 2002 Page 4 Mr. Sallee responded to Commissioner Porter that, while he did not have any specific concerns with the existing adult shelter, it's more concern with potential situations that may be outside of the nonn of an average residential conununity. Emily Marcus, 2223 West 1 Kh Street, Program Director for Evergreen Village, stated that single adults who are served by the shelter are no different than any other single adults with the exception of circumstance. The residents are part of a strict living program. She is confident that their presence will bring stability to the neighborhood. Clients in the programs are supervised and supported by trained professionals which ensures the observance of a strict set of rules. Amy Bahl, 2405 West 1 K'J Street, is a neighbor west of the proposed site. She was initially very surprised and disturbed by the possibility that the existing Serenity House adult single family shelter use anticipated expansion and relocation to the proposed location. Ample fencing and controlled lighting will be very important to neighbors who value their privacy and neighborhood quality and to shelter residents. Good fencing will provide an important boundary ensuring that clients are aware ofthe limits of their usable areas and that private properties surrounding the site remain private. A 10:30 p.m. curfew is acceptable as long as it is strictly enforced. She has had no direct negative contact with clients of the existing shelter, but the mannerisms of some of the people who walk: along the street from the bus stop to the shelter are sometimes cause for concern. The current single shelter has been very untidy on a number of occasions, and it is important for the new use to be kept in a more tidy residential manner as it will be more visible. Ms. Bahl agreed with the previous speaker and felt that by providing sufficient barriers, ample but not overbearing lighting, and adequate staffing, the result should be that tenants behave in a manner that continues to reflect well upon Serenity House. Nancy Newman, 2711 West l;fh Street, said that she can empathize with the previous two speakers particularly because she is a single woman living alone and is more fearful than some who do not live alone in a rural area. She also understands the smprise and concern expressed due to the fact that no one in the area expected the property to eventually be rezoned to allow an increase density development. However, she felt compelled to counsel people to be careful not to make assumptions about the homeless population and to label the quality of those people as different simply because they are homeless at present. She was concerned that requirements are not placed on the proposed development in excess ofa permitted development just because the use is for the homeless. William Sallee, 2421 West 18th Street, asked for a review of the conditional use permit in two year's time to evaluate compliance with established conditions and issues that may have come up. The Commission took a break at 8:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:40 p.m. Pat Walker, 1815 East 3m Street, asked if the population of Serenity House is drawn from a regional or local population. She is concerned that Port Angeles is inadvertently being advertised as a home for the indigent and destitute. She read that eighty percent (80%) of the homeless shelter population visits a shelter once in a lifetime, ten percent (10%) regularly, and ten percent (10%) are chronic users. If the proposed site is a regional facility, rather than more for local purposes, it should undergo a more stringent siting examination. Dall Jacobs, 2203 West 18th Street, Executive Director of Serenity House, does not believe that the proposed use could be classified as regional. No other facility within one hundred miles of Port Angeles offers the amenities offered by Serenity House. The facility serves the entire Olympic . . . Planning Commission Minutes March 13. 2002 Page 5 Peninsula. Approximately one hundred forty-nine (149) persons were served from Clallam County last year with one hundred fourteen (114) being from Port Angeles. Commissioner Porter asked Mr. Jacobs ifpeople being identified as homeless from outside ofClallarn County are coming here for assistance. Mr. Jacobs responded that approximately 15% to 20% of the resident population comes from outside ofClallam County. In response to Commissioner Norton, Mr. Jacobs stated that the development plan will address the neighbors' stated concerns regarding fencing, landscaping, lighting, and other site development issues. Serenity House will make the plan available to the neighborhood for input prior to its finalization. The intent is to do more than what's required. A condition that would require a review ofthe permit in two years would seriously jeopardize financing. He would not have a concern with review by the Commission and neighbors of operating procedures, specific issues, or making adjustments after a period of operation due to neighborhood concerns, but not of the permit itself. Getting together with the Commission and neighbors to review performance would not jeopardize financing. Pat Walker, 1815 East Third Street, read from the Serenity House conditional use permit application dated August 15,2001 that "n. one half to three quarters of referrals come from formerly homeless individuals, hospitals, treatment centers, and social service agencies around the state." Approximately 400 people are served per year. If, as Mr. Jacobs stated, 149 come from Clallarn County with 114 from Port Angeles, the remainder must come from somewhere else. Dan Jacobs responded to Ms. Walker by explaining the difficulty of addressing the homeless population who are constantly moving from place to place. Director Collins noted that staff s reconunendation is that fencing be required to establish a definite boundary for the area that is consistent with the neighborhood. At the time of development, appropriate landscaping and fencing will be determined based on development in the neighborhood. The testimony provided regarding landscaping, fencing, lighting, and fire suppression systems will be given considerable weight during the building permit review process. The applicants have indicated that they are anxious to be good neighbors. The site plan included in the staff report should not be approved as a fmal site plan but is intended to be conceptual. Staff would not recommend a required review ofthe conditional use permit at a given time in the future because when a considerable investment is required, some sense of longevity is needed for the applicant. If conditions of a conditional use permit are not complied with the permit may be voided at any time. It may be appropriate to ask for a report on the pertinent issues within a certain period of time. He noted that improvements to Sixteenth Street may be required when the north side of the site is developed. Ken Hays, Hays Architects, 120 West Bell Street, Sequim, WA, asked that a definite landscaping/fencing barrier height not be established until more final plans are submitted in order to allow for creativity and sensitivity to surrounding residential uses when development plans are complete. There being no further testimony, Vice Chair Schramm closed the public hearing. Director Collins responded to Commissioner Hewins that, if at some point sexual offenders are on-site and it is a condition of the permit that they be excluded, the conditional use pennit could be voided. Commissioner Porter preferred that a minimum 5' fence height be established along the western boundary of the site. . . . Planning Commission Minllles March 13. 2002 Page 6 Commissioner Hewins expressed concern that if Serenity House is not successful, any social service agency providing 24-hour care could locate in the proposed facility. Other uses such as a half-way house could locate in the facility in the future if the proposed use is approved. Commissioner Porter asked Ms. Kross to elaborate on the curfew rules. Ms. Kross responded that a 10:30 p.m. curfew is presently in place and is intended to continue. Residents must be inside at 10:30 p.m. or be counted as absent without leave (AWOL). Lights out is at 11 p.m. Only Walkman (personal radio devices) are permitted outside - no boom boxes or loud music generating devices are allowed. In response to Commissioner Porter, Ms. Bahl stated that there is a large population of children in the neighborhood. Director Collins clarified that conditional use permits are issued for specific purposes, at specific locations, and to specific applicants. If the proposed use is not successful, another applicant would have to reapply to conduct a similar activity at the site. Otherwise, only those uses permitted in the RMD zone would be allowed to occupy the site. Commissioner Hewins was concerned with the lack of information on the site plans. Commissioner Craver felt that most Commission members are not qualified to review detailed site plans but should be dealing with the proposed use. Lengthy discussion took place regarding the height of required fencing and the amount of landscaping that should be required. Commissioner Norton moved to approve the conditional use permit with the following conditions, findings, and conclusions: Conditions: 1. Approval is for a conditional use permit to establish a transitional housing/emergency shelter activity described in the application presented to the City on September 10,2001 for CUP 01-10 by Serenity House for up to 50 residents with a maximum of 70 residents in short term emergency shelter situations. 2. The applicant shall operate under the guidelines prescribed by the Washington Department of Health at all times. 3. Final building plans shall include the provision of a minimum of 42 improved off-street parking spaces. 4. The site shall be fenced on the east and west property lines with fencing along the north boundary of the building area. Solid fencing shall be to a minimum of 5' with a landscape buffer such that the fencing will blend in a manner that will complement the neighborhood. 5. The applicant is aware that the site is located opposite an industrial location, specifically the William R. Fairchild International Airport and industrial park, and that residential use of such a site may result in adverse aviation and related noise. Additionally, the applicant realizes that site development of the industrial park is not complete. 6. Sexual offenders shall not be alJowed to either visit or be housed on the site at any time. . . . Planning Commission Minules Ml/rch 13. 2002 Page 7 7. An L.l.D. No Protest Agreement for improvements to Sixteenth Street in the event of future shall be signed prior to issuance of a building permit. 8. A 10:30 p.m. curfew shall be strictly observed as described by the applicant. Findings: Based on the information provided in the October 10,2001, staffreport for CUP 01-10, including all of its attachments, and the Planning Commission's discussion and deliberation during the March 13, 2002, public hearing, the Planning Commission hereby finds that: 1. The applicant, Serenity House of Clallam County, applied to operate a social service agency providing 24-hour residential care service on September 10, 2001, in a Residential Medium Density (RMD) zone. The proposal consists of two lots that equal a total of 188,074.28 square feet in size and are undeveloped at this time. 2. The purpose of the RMD zone is to allow for a mix of single family, duplexes, and apartments at a density of greater than single family neighborhoods but less than the RHD zone. RMD density is allowed to be up to 15 units/acre. The subject proposal would result in a density ratio of 11.6 units/acre 3. A social service agency providing 24-hour residential care is a conditionally permitted use in the RMD zone. 4. Properties to the east of the subject site are designated, zoned, and developed for medium density multiple family residential uses, including the Serenity House family housing complex. Properties to the west and north of the subject site are designated, zoned, and generally developed in low density single family residential uses. Properties to the south across 18th Street are designated, zoned, and developed for industrial uses as the William R. Fairchild International Airport and the Airport industrial park. 5. The Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map designates the area as a margin between Low Density Residential (LDR) and Medium Density Residential (MDR). 6. The Comprehensive Plan has been reviewed with respect to the proposal. The most relevant goals, policies, and objectives are as follows: Growth Management Element Goal A, Land Use Element Goal A, Policies A.I and A.2, Objective A.l, Goal B, Goal C, Policies C.I-CA, Housing Element Goal A, Policies A.l and A.7, Goal B, Policies B.l, B.2, B.6, B.9, Objectives B.l and B.2. 7. The site is located in the Northwest Planning Area of the City which contains the largest segment of undeveloped residential land in the City. . . . Planning Commission Minutes March 13. 2002 Page 8 8. A Determination of Non-Significance was issued for the proposed project on October 9, 2001. This satisfies the City's responsibility under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEP A). 9. The subject site is served by 18th Street, which is a designated arterial. Clallam Transit provides bus service along 18th Street with a bus stop in the near vicinity. 10. Serenity House provides housing and other social services in the near vicinity at 2201 West Eighteenth Street. An existing emergency shelter was established at 2602 1/2 West 18th Street in 1983 for 33 up to residents. The applicant has stated that the site has become overcrowded and cannot be expanded. 11. The City's Police and Fire Departments have not indicated that an unusual amount of disturbance or aid calls have resulted over the past 18 years of operation at the existing 2602 1/2 West 18th Street location. 12. The proposed site location adjacent to the airport may pose a noise concern for the shelter activity. However, the proposal is for temporary emergency shelter housing as opposed to typical long term residential housing. Construction techniques should compensate for additional off-site noise. 13. The existing site location at 2602 1/2 West 18th Street has operated for the past 18 years in an industrial zone. The applicant is aware of the potential aviation and industrial activities that occur in the area. 14. Transitional housing for the homeless is a special housing need that is specifically addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. 15. The 18th Street location provides amenities for multiple housing needs such as public transit, an arterial street, vacant affordable land, and a non-profit service provider. 16. A local Continuum of Care Needs Assessment study done in 1999 places a high priority on the need for maintaining existing emergency shelter and related supportive services. 17. The Public Works, Fire, Building, and Police Departments have no obj ection to the proposed activity. 18. The City's State Environmental Policy Act Responsible Official issued a Determination of NonSignificance for the proposal per WAC 197-11 on October 5, 2001. Subsequent development of the property would require compliance with various chapters of the Port Angeles Municipal Code as applies. . . . Planning Commission Minutes March 13. 2002 Page 9 19. Public Notice was given on September 19,2001, identifying a written comment deadline of October 4, 2001, for consideration in the staff report and the Planning Commission recommendation. The staff received two written comments from William and Jeanie Sallee and from Amy Bahl on October 4,2001, requesting that the proposal be denied. 20. The social service use is regulated by the Washington Department of Health. 21. The applicants have indicated that approximately one fourth of the resident population are expected to have access to vehicles. 22. The October 10, 2001, public hearing for Conditional Use Permit CUP 01-10 Serenity House, was continued to December 12, 2001, in order for the City Council to take an action on the requested rezone of the property. That public hearing was further continued to March 13,2002, due to Council's nonaction on the rezone request. 23. The site was rezoned to RMD by action of the City Council on March 5, 2002. Conclusions: The City of Port Angeles Planning Commission hereby concludes that: A. As conditioned, the proposed use is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan including but not limited to Growth Management Element Goal A, Land Use Element Goal A, Policies Al and A2, Objective AI, Goal B, Goal C, Policies C.l-CA, Housing Element Goal A, Policies A.l and A7, Goal B, Policies B.l, B.2, B.6, B.9, Objectives B.l and B.2. B. As conditioned, the proposed use is consistent with the City's Zoning Ordinance including the intent of the RMD zone. C. A typical residential neighborhood is not established along 18th Street due to its location opposite the Airport and Airport industrial park. D. Because three quarters of the residents are not expected to have automobiles, the provision of 42 parking spaces is adequate. E. As conditioned, the proposed project is not contrary to the public use and interest. F. The need for emergency housing has been identified and can be seen as a transitional use between more intensive uses such as airport/industrial and less intensive low density residential land uses. The proposal is found to be beneficial to the community as a whole and is compatible with the desired urban design of the City. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Philpott. . . Planning Commission Minutes March /3. 2002 Page /0 Commissioner Porter asked Mr. Jacobs if a 10:00 p.m. curfew would be acceptable. Mr. Jacobs responded that the current activity has operated under a 10:30 p.m. curfew for many years with no problems. Given the public bus service used by many residents, it may be difficult for some to observe a 10:00 p.m. curfew. The Commission was polled and the majority concurred that the 10:30 p.m. curfew would be acceptable. The motion passed 5 ~ 1 with Commissioner Hewins voting in the negative. Mr. Hewins stated that he opposed the rezone because of the increase in density and is opposed to the proposed conditional use because this neighborhood should not have to absorb the facility. PROPOSED MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS - MCA 01-02 R CITY OF PORT ANGELES. City-Wide: Suggested changes to the City's sign, parking, environmental, subdivision, and zoning regulations (Titles 14-17). The changes were largely recommended by the Citizens Code Advisory Committee appointed by the City Council in 2001. Director Collins indicated that he had not been able to complete the revisions discussed by the Planning Commission at the special January 30th workshop and asked that, following the public hearing, the item be continued to the March 27th meeting for further review. Vice Chair opened the public hearing. There being no one to comment on the proposed amendments, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Porter moved to continue discussion on the proposed amendments to the March 27, 2002, regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norton and passed 6 - O. Commissioner Craver left the meeting room as she is a property owner in the vicinity of the next item and felt there may be an appearance of fairness concern. PUBLIC MEETING REZONE - REZ 02-03 - PORT ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT - School District-owned properties located adjacent to the Port Angeles High School to be rezoned from RS-7, Residential Single Family to PBP, Public Buildings and Parks. Vice Chair Schramm opened the public meeting. It was determined that it would be best to separate the rezone from the Municipal Code Amendments. Commissioner Norton moved to continue the deliberation to the April 10, 2002, regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Porter and passed 5 - O. Commissioner Craver rejoined the meeting. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC . Mr. Leonard Rasmussen, 2133 West 14th Street, was present and indicated that he is under consideration for appointment to the Planning Commission to fill the one commissioner vacancy. . . . Planning Commission Minutes Mnrch J 3. 2002 Page J J ELECTIONS Vice Chair Schramm opened elections for the tenn 2002-2003: Commissioner Norton nominated Commissioner Schramm as Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hewins and passed 6 - O. Commissioner Philpott nominated Commissioner Hewins as Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norton and passed 6 - O. ST AFF REPORTS Mr. Collins distributed the draft minutes of the City Council's March 5,2002, minutes with regard to the Serenity House Rezone proposal. Mr. Collins noted that he did not make a presentation to the City Council either on behalf of the staffs recommendation or the Planning Commission's recommendation. A public hearing was held and when it was his turn to speak let Council know that they had two recommendations, but he did not promote either recommendation actively. He indicated to Council that he was prepared to support both the staffs recommendation and the Commission's recommendation and answer any questions they might have accordingly. The City Council took a different view of some of the issues from the Planning Commission. Mr. Collins tried to address in his memorandum to the Council some of the concerns raised by the Planning Commission regarding the rezone such as the number of units and what changes had occurred in the development of not only the area but City-wide and to try to provide infonnation that was not in the staff report to the Planning Commission but was raised by questions during the Commission's deliberations. Conunissioner Schramm expressed his concern that the item was an issue of a rezone not of an intended use. The intended use should not have been an issue in this matter. It was strictly a rezone. He is very disappointed in Council's decision because there was a lot of politics in play in this instance. The City may need to move to a hearing examiner process because this was a poor example of the system at work. Commissioner Hewins agreed that the point of the rezone became an issue of the entity asking for the rezone rather than the rezone standing on its own merits. It became very political because the applicant was Serenity House. Commissioner Porter asked what it would take to go to a hearing examiner process. Director Collins responded that it would take an action of the City Council to hire a hearing examiner. Staff has encouraged a hearing examiner in the past, but the Planning Commission has not been in agreement and neither has the City Council. Commissioner Porter stated that it seems that there is support for such a system at this point. A budget would have to be established and would be an increase of about $40,000 a year from the existing budget. Commissioner Porter responded that from a liability perspective it makes a lot of sense to have a hearing examiner and it would free up the Commission to do more planning than acting on applications. Mr. Collins responded that he would draft documentation to present the strategy to the Council if that is the consensus of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Philpott noted that he will be able to attend the March 16lh meeting County Planning Commission/City Planning Commission workshop. Commissioner Norton will be attending in the afternoon only. Other Commission members will not be in attendance. Mr. Collins indicated that the subject under discussion will be stormwater management and the City's proposal to establish a stonnwater utility. He will arrange for a presentation on the stonnwater utility proposal to the Planning Commission in the near future, either March 27 or April 24th. The State . . . Planning Commission Minutes March 13, 2002 Page 12 Legislature extended Comprehensive Plan review to 2004 so there is not a need to do a complete review ofthe Plan this year. However, the current Comprehensive Plan update process will continue as it has been started. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Philpott asked how the repair work is going on the "8th Street bumps". Mr. Collins noted that the bumps have been ground down and that the City is waiting for good weather to complete the overlay. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. ~~ Brad Collins, Secretary d~ PREPARED BY: S. Roberds Charles Schramm, Chair . · ~ORTANGELES WAS H I N G TON. U. S. A. PLANNING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE ROSTER AND TESTIMONY SIGN-UP SHEET PLEASE SIG~ I.N Meeting Agenda of: -ryt1/}~ l?:y c?.ro L PLEASE NOTE: IE you plan to testify, by signature below, you certify that the testimony given is true and correct under penalty of perjury by the laws of the State of Washington. Si nature below DOES NOT REQUIRE you to testi - it on acknowled es your resence. 01-10 eUPoJ-j'f) II II