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WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
AGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION
321 East Fifth Street
September 8, 2004
6 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting of August 25, 2004
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
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1.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - CUP 04-04 - NORMANDIN. 543 Whidbv:
Request for a conditional use pennit to establish a duplex in an existing single family
residence.
V. WORK SESSION:
Review of proposed development regulations - Titles 15 (Environment), 16
(Subdivisions), and 17 (Zoning) ofthe Port Angeles Municipal Code.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
VII. STAFF REPORTS
Fall Planners Forum, Paulsbo October 14,2004
VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Fred Hewins (Chair),Len Rasmussen (Vice Chair), Chuck Schramm, Fred Norton, LindaNutter, Bob Philpott, Dylan Honnold
PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Director; Scott Johns, Associate Planner; Sue Roberds, Assistant Planner.
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
September 8, 2004
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Bob Philpott, Fred Norton, Fred Hewins, Linda Nutter,
Chuck Schramm, Leonard Rasmussen, Dylan Honnold
Members Excused:
None
Staff Present:
Brad Collins, Scott Johns
Public Present:
Jon Diedrickson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Honnold moved to approve the minutes ofthe August 25, 2004, meeting
as presented with minor corrections. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen
and passed 5 - 0 with Commissioners Schramm and Nutter abstaining due to their absence
from the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Chair Hewins indicated that those who testify must sign the "Sign In" log and affinn that their
testimony will be truthful to the best of their knowledge.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - CUP 04-04 - NORMANDIN. 543 Whidby:
Request for a conditional use pennit to establish a duplex in an existing single family
residence.
Community Development Director Brad Collins infonned the Planning Commission that the
applicant had submitted a letter requesting that the application be withdrawn from consideration due
to dimensional and density issues on the site.
Commissioner Philpott moved that the Commission accept the withdrawal of CUP 04-04. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Norton and passed 7 - o.
WORK SESSION:
Review of proposed development regulations - Titles 15 (Environment), 16
(Subdivisions), and 17 (Zoning) of the Port Angeles Municipal Code.
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Planning Commission Minrlles
September 8. 2004
Page 2
Associate Planner Scott Johns provided an overview of the major reVISIOns to the
Environmental Protection Ordinance, Title 15, The Subdivision Code, Title 16, and the Zoning
Code, Title 17 that are being suggested. Staff indicated that the work session should focus on the
major issues of the proposed changes rather than being concerned about specific wording or
typographical errors at this meeting.
Chair Hewins began by designating Title 15 as the first topic of discussion for the
Commission. Discussion regarding the definitions section ensued, surrounding the idea of creating
a new chapter for definitions within Title 15 or leaving definition sections within each Chapter of
the Title. Commissioners Rasmussen, Norton and Hewins all indicated a preference for creating a
new chapter. Director Collins indicated that some definitions are specific only to one chapter or are
taken from the Washington State Codes. Commission members also expressed concern that the
definitions were not consistent from one chapter to another and that this could lead to confusion and
other problems when applying the regulations.
Staff indicated that they would review the definitions sections to attain consistency among
definitions and to reduce redundancy and duplication of definitions.
Commissioner Norton expressed concern regarding the phrase : "financial guarantees" as used
in the new language outlining required items in reports. He felt that the requirement was not well
defined and that it would be unclear to an applicant as to what was actually required. Chair Hewins
indicated that the language is intended to allow an applicant to suggest what fonn of financial
guarantee would be best for the applicant. Director Collins also pointed out that financial guarantees
are currently required for the defennent of other types of development infrastructure.
Commissioner Rasmussen indicated that the tenn "qualified professionals" is used several
places throughout the different chapters of the environmental code, however the tenn was not well
defined and varied from place to place within the code. Some areas also used other tenns to indicate
the same type of expertise and that more consistency was needed in the code.
Commissioner Schramm questioned a seeming inconsistency or lack of clarity in the code
regarding viewshed enhancement, in that one statement disallowed tree topping and another allowed
the removal of up to 30% ofthe crown of trees. Discussion followed as to the use ofthe tenn crown
and the intent ofthe language used. Staff indicated that revisions would be made to better explain
the concepts and to remove any confusing language.
The Commission took a break at 7:20 pm, and reconvened at 7:30 pm.
Chair Hewins stated that since there was a member ofthe public present who was specifically
interested in the PRD chapter of Title 17, that the next topic of discussion would be proposed
revision to that chapter.
Direction Collins stated that due to the existing process for establishing allowed density and
density credits, the code currently penalized an applicant by providing a lower density using the PRD
standards rather than subdividing using the existing zoning in the area. He also pointed out that
when the PRD overlay zone was created, the City did not have environmental protection codes that
were as effective as it currently has, therefore the use of the PRD code does not provide the
environmental protection that was originally intended.
Chair Hewins addressed the member of the public in the audience, Jon Diedrickson, ifhe had
any comments to this chapter.
Jon Diedrickson, 731 E. 11th Street, indicated that he is a real estate agent and has a client
tbat is considering using the PRD overlay for a project. He said he had no specific comment about
the propose changes to the chapter.
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P{onning Commission Minutes
September 8. 2004
Page 3
Commissioner Norton expressed support for the staffs attempts at simplifying the
application of this chapter and encouraged their efforts to simplify other chapters of the code.
Direction Collins described the use ofthe PRD overlay zone regarding conditional uses. He
stated that the process for approving a conditional use at the outset of the proj ect to create a self
contained neighborhood could include commercial or other uses. After the PRD is complete, any
change to include a conditional use would require the amendment of the PRD rather than a
conditional use pennit.
Discussion turned to subdivision code, Chapter 16.08. Associate Planner Scott Johns
outlined the proposed changes and indicated that the City Engineer had made several
recommendations, one of which was to remove proposed language specifying street standards in the
code section instead of a reference to the Urban Services Standards and Guidelines. Other proposed
changes included changing the recommendation of street trees on arterial streets be changed so that
street trees become required.
The Commission began discussions on the proposed introduction of park impact fees.
Director Collins stated that the reason for this proposal is that the Growth Management Act mandates
that parks be provided concurrently with or within six years of development. The City currently has
no mechanism in place to pay for land acquisition or development. Several members ofthe Planning
Commission expressed reluctance to support an impact fee when the City Council has discussed
surplusing existing Park lands and the City had recently instituted low impact development standards
to help reduce costs to developers. Director Collins pointed out that if proposed subdivisions could
not meet the concurrency requirement of the State that the Planning Commission would then have
to recommend denial of proposed subdivisions. He further ask the Planning Commission to attempt
to fix the problems they see in the proposed ordinance rather than discard it out of hand.
Commissioner Nutter stated that she feels parks are an important part of neighborhood
livability and quality of life, and that she supports the creation and maintenance of parks through
whatever means are necessary. Commissioner Schramm indicated that he had a concern that because
a building permit would trigger the impact fee if the fee had not been paid at an earlier time. This
would mean that the developer would avoid the fee and shift that cost to the individual who would
be less able to pay the additional cost of building a home. Chair Hewins expressed concern that the
funds could be diverted to other projects or accounts, which would undennine support for
implementing the fees. Commissioner Rasmussen stated that the funding of parks was not a land
use issue and should not be considered by the Planning Commission. Staff indicated that they would
revisit the issue and present a revised version.
As it was approaching 9:00 pm, Chair Hewins indicated that discussion of the proposed
changes to Title 17 would be postponed to the next meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
STAFF REPORTS
Director Collins discussed the planner's roundtable discussion sessions that are being
sponsored by the local Chapter of the American Planning Association and the State Department of
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Planning Commissioll Minutes
September 8. 2004
Page 4
Community, Trade and Economic Development, and encouraged Planning Commission members
to attend the upcoming session to be held in Poulsbo on October 14, 2004.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Norton stated that he will not be in attendance at the September 22, 2004
Planning Commission meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
F~~
B ad Collins, Secretary
PREPARED BY: S. Johns
~ORTANGELES
WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A.
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PLANNING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE ROSTER
AND TESTIMONY SIGN-UP SHEET
PLEASE SIGN IN
Meeting Agenda of: ..5~~;11~ $j~
To help us provide an accurate record of those in attendance, please sign in. Your
signature acknowledges your presence. If you plan to testify, by your signature below, you
certify that the testimony given is true and correct under penalty of perjury by the Jaws of the
h S t b OES NOT REQUIRE f f f'fy
State of Was ington. igna ure elow D you 0 es J
h }.J\i AME: ADDRESS: Agenda Item No.
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