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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/24/2003 o ~ ~ ~ ~ORTA.NGELES WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street September 24, 2003 I. CALL TO ORDER 7 p.m. n. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular meetings of August 27, 2003, and September 10, 2003 . IV. LONG RANGE PLANNING ITEM Urban Design discussion V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS 116 W. Albert, Port Angeles Suites VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT . PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Linda Nutter (Chair), Fred Hewins (Vice Chair), Chuck Schramm, Fred Norton, Bob Philpott, Len Rasmussen, Jack Pittis PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Director; Scott Johns, Associate Planner; Sue Roberds, Assistant Planner. . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 September 24, 2003 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Fred Norton, Chuck Schramm, Leonard Rasmussen, Jack Pittis, Linda Nutter Members Excused: Bob Philpott, Fred Hewins Staff Present: Brad Collins, Scott Johns Public Present: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Norton moved to approve the minutes of the August 27, 2003, meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nutter and passed 2- o with Commissioners Schramm, Rasmussen, and Pittis abstaining due to their absence from the meeting. Commissioner Schramm moves to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2003, meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pittis and passed 5 - O. LONG RANGE PLANNING ITEM: Urban Design discussion Communi ty Development Director Collins introduced the subj ect of Urban Design by stating that the idea of instituting some form of urban design guidelines or review had been proposed by the Planning Commission members and from some members ofthe public. He pointed out that the initiative had not come from Planning Department staff. Several recent developments and the City Council's interest in entryway corridor beautification emphasis has brought the idea of design review to the forefront. Director Collins said that he felt that the discussion on urban design would be a topic of interest to the City Council and brought up the idea of a joint meeting with the Council. The Council members responded that the Planning Commission should 'flesh out' the ideas at the Commission level and then involve the Council. Director Collins pointed out that Port Angeles has a good example of successful design review in the downtown's Main Street Program. Although there is a large body of knowledge on design review and several approaches to the issue, not everyone is supportive of design review. At this time the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is offering an assistance program for communities that would like to become involved with development of a design review program. Commissioner Rasmussen stated that by discussing design review the Commission is seeking a solution to an undefined problem. He went on to state that the Commission should decide upon the goals for the City before seeking a solution such as design review and that before implementing design review, the City should look at its existing tools such as the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code. . . . Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2003 Page 2 Commissioner Pittis said that he had worked with ArIa Holzschuh of the Downtown Association in their efforts associated with the Main Street Program. There is not a Ullifonn acceptance of the program and there are various holes that are not completed. That program is a work in progress. Commissioner Pittis then asked if the City Council has indicated that they felt there is a problem that design review would provide a solution for. Director Collins said that there are individuals on the Council that are concerned, however their concern is with private space maintenance and appearance. Different levels of maintenance leave some properties looking less than tidy. Vacant properties pose a particular problem with maintenance, but some occupied properties are also poorly maintained. Commissioner Pittis stated that because of the current economics he would be reluctant to tell developers what a building should look like, especially if doing so would add to the cost of development. He also stated that many people entering town made the assumption that they are entering Port Angeles when they crossed the Morse Creek valley, but the Urban Growth Area is not under the control of the City. Commissioner Pittis felt that the City should take some initiative to improve the appearance of its own public spaces to set an example for others. Commissioner Schramm agreed with Commissioner Pittis that the City should set a higher standard for others to follow. He also stated that at some point the City must think of where the community is going or it will end up living with what we currently have. The City will have to live with the appearance ofthe Jack in the Box building for 25 years, because there is no vision of what the City should look like and that the City Council's philosophy of encouraging all development is a short sighted approach. Commissioner Schramm felt that this is a short sighted approach to development. Commissioner Norton stated that he does not support the idea of dictating to people what to do and that there is already too much of that going on. He also felt that implementing design review is premature. Chair Nutter expressed disappointment that the other commissioners did not seem to support the idea of design review. She pointed out that design review encompassed more than just building design. Other elements include site design for defensible space, police access and lighting requirements, landscape design, and pedestrian space. Commissioner Rasmussen reiterated his position that design review should not be jumped to as a solution until existing tools have been used to their fullest extent. He pointed out that design review would not have any affect on the UGA because it is still within the County's jurisdiction. The downtown area is doing a good job with its Main Street program. Some existing regulations tend to limit what can be done to mititgate problems of appearance. Zero setbacks limit the amount of landscaping that can soften building lines or reduce the visual impacts of blank walls or large buildings. Existing old buildings can pose a problem of visual attractiveness. Commissioner Nutter said that design review would not affect existing buildings. Commissioner Schramm suggested that the Commission define design review. In defining how Port Angeles views design review, the City could focus on issues that affect the community for the long tenn. Commissioner Pittis suggested eliminating the negative connotations associated with design review and try to focus on community character. Ask the questions, What do we want to be?, What are we? He also felt that the City must define where the entry to the City is. The proposed changes to the pull-out view area east of Morse Creek is going to further the impression that the City begins at Morse Creek and that the UGA is actually in the City. . . . Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2003 Page 3 Commissioner Norton said that the idea of a theme or City character had been discussed in the past and that no decision had been reached. The City has changed from a mill town or resource town to something else. He also agreed that the appearance ofthe City needs to be improved, citing the comments he made at a previous meeting regarding the comments he encountered in the Colorado Springs newspaper. The commissioner then asked staff if the police are asked to review projects. Director Collins indicated that it is not a usual practice but if a particular need is perceived that they will be involved by request from the department. He cited lack of resources and the perception that Port Angeles is a safe place for the lack of police involvement in project review. Commissioner Norton felt that police involvement should be an integral part of project review. Commissioner Schramm said that design review does not need to be tied to a specific theme. Design review would provide some direction and consistency to the future development ofthe City and that the City needs to start fonnulating what that direction should be as soon as possible. Director Collins mentioned the DCTED assistance program and suggested that the Ci ty could take advantage of that program to help fonnulate what that community character should be. He said that often design review is seen as more regulation or dictating development actions. Some direction could be determined through the use of tools like visual preference surveys which would help us understand what the citizens want Port Angeles to look like. Commissioner Pittis inquired whether the DCTED grant would cover more than just commercial projects. He stated that all areas ofthe City should be evaluated and that if the City did have a vision it could follow the vision and get to where they want to be. Commissioner Rasmussen stated that the focus of attention at the present has been on the entry ways, downtown and the 101 corridor, and that other areas of the City must be looked at as well. He suggested that the City look at the local Economic Development Council's process which has had a high degree of success. By consensus the Planning Commission directed staff to follow-up on the State's assistance program. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. STAFF REPORTS: 116 W. Albert, Port Angeles Suites Director Collins told the Planning Commission that the City cannot enforce a variance for a project ifthe project goes away. In the same vane, a developer cannot rely on a variance for anew project that the variance is not approved for. At the present, the project has approval only for apartments that meet parking requirements. No additional approvals will be issued until the alley is paved and additional parking is provided. Commissioner Norton asked staff what the process will be for approving additional parking. Staff replied that parking is a conditional use in the CA zone and that if parking is proposed as a stand alone use the issue will come before the Planning Commission for approval of a conditional use permit. . . . Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2003 Page 4 Commissioner Nutter asked why conditions are not recorded against the property title and, if they are not recorded against the property title, is there another way new owners can be made aware of conditions that had been applied to a site or project. Director Collins stated that it has always been a problem, though our institutional memory is currently very strong, and that staff has relied on the public to help monitor projects. It is his feeling that recording conditions on the title will not be particularly helpful, however, the City's new HTE computer program will help keep track of conditions. Collins further stated that staff will research the suggestion with other City departments and report back to the Commission. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS: Commissioner Nutter suggested alternate wording for the sign-in sheet used at public hearings. She also announced a class on infiltration of stonnwater being offered later this fall. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. ~~-~ Brad Collins, Secretary ~ff1!b_~ l.! nda Nutter, C ' air PREPARED BY: S. Johns