HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10/13/20101
ROLL CALL
Members Present: John Matthews, Doc Reiss, Tim Boyle, Nancy Powers,
Carla Sue, Sissi Bruch, Mike Caudill
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Scott Johns, Sue Roberds
Public Present: Pam Fosnes, Dave Hull, Cookie Kalfur, Margie Bauer,
Nathan Worley, Susan Hilgren, Jeanie Skerbeck, Bill
Asselin, Justin Haarhan, Ryan Kirk. William Dolen
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Bruch moved to accept the September 22, 2010, regular meeting
minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Powers and passed 6 0
with Commissioner Reiss abstaining due to his absence at the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING:
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
October 13, 2010
6:00 p.m.
EXTENSION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CUP 09 -06
HILGREN The Answer For Youth (Hilgren) 711 East Second Street:
Commissioner Sue recused herself from the proceedings due to an Appearance of
Fairness issue. She announced a familial relationship with the applicant and left the room.
Associate Planner Scott Johns reviewed staff's memorandum outlining the past year's
operation, describing the six month review and improvements that have been made, and
compliance with the conditions of approval. Staff recommended that a three year extension be
granted given compliance with the conditions of approval. Improvement to the parking area has
not been made to City standard, although a gravel standard was permitted on a temporary basis.
The three year time period will allow for some adjustment to that situation or full compliance,
and will allow a review following the time period.
Staff responded to discussion from Commission members regarding submittal of the
extension request per the conditions of approval (two months prior to expiration). Planning
Manager Sue Roberds indicated that while Condition #2 does require that extension be
requested no less than two months prior to expiration, the Port Angeles Municipal Code requires
only that a request be submitted prior to expiration. She felt that the applicant's intent was to
comply even though the extension request submittal did not meet the letter of the condition. No
problems were experienced as a result of the late submittal.
Planner Johns responded to Commissioner Reiss that no additional landscaping had
been required because the parking area is not new construction. If new parking area is
Planning Comm,ssmn Atmutes
October 13, 2010
Page 2
developed, additional landscaping will be required. A church use existed on the site for many
years that is not unlike the current occupancy The parking lot has existed for many years as
well.
Planning Manager Roberds responded to a question from the Commission regarding
improvement to the parking area. Mrs. Roberds said that City Engineer Steve Sperr determined
that if there is no access to Second Street, the parking area could remain gravel with access only
from the alley However, the parking area must be augmented with gravel. If the gravel area is
not maintained such that it becomes muddy or unusable, the activity will have to cease until such
time as repair is made to minimum City standards. It is hoped that the applicant or property
owner will be able to develop the site to an acceptable improved (paved) standard at a future
time. When that happens, access will once more be permitted to Second Street.
Chair Matthews reviewed the quasi judicial public hearing procedures for the public and
qualified the Commissioners regarding appearance of fairness and conflict of interest matters.
Remaining Commissioners responded for the record that they had no appearance of fairness or
conflict of interest issues with regard to the pending application. The Chair then opened the
public hearing.
Susan Hilgren, 12 Pearce Road, Port Angeles, WA provided a synopsis of the past
year's accomplishments and described how the conditions of approval had been met. She stated
that the center currently serves 30 regular people with a normal day seeing between 12 19
people. There have been 2900 visits over the past year to the center She confirmed that she
would like to increase the days per week to accommodate the need for service. Most of her
visitors are in their early 20's with some 14 15 year olds.
There being no further testimony from the audience, Chair Matthews closed the public
hearing.
In response to a direct question from Chair Matthews, Ms. Hilgren indicated that she
conducts a part time counseling service at the center called the Winds of Change.
Planner Johns noted that professional offices are permitted uses in the Commercial Office
zone in which the site is located.
Following brief discussion, Commissioner Bruch moved to approve a three year
extension of Conditional Use Permit 09 -06 with the following conditions, supported by the
included findings and conclusions:
Conditions.
1 The permit shall be issued for a period of one year To evaluate neighborhood impacts, a
six month progress report will be submitted for review by the Planning Commission. The
applicant shall submit a letter requesting review and subsequent extension of the
conditional use permit no less than 2 months prior to the end of the one -year approval
period (no later than the first week of July, 2010) to provide staff adequate time to notice,
review, and schedule appropriate meetings for consideration of extension of the permit.
2. Hours of operation shall be limited to 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,
and 4.30 6.30 on Saturday
3 CUP 09 -06 is extended for an additional three (3) year period, until September 9, 2013,
for Susan Hilgren to operate The Answer For Youth outreach center as described in the
application submitted to the City Department of Community Economic Development
on August 3, 2009 If extension is desired beyond September 9, 2013, such request must
Plansmg Comm,ssmn Minutes
October 13, 2010
Page 3
be submitted to the City Department of Community Economic Development prior to
the expiration date of September 9, 2013
4 Hours of operation may be extended to, at maximum, 3 P.M. 7 P.M. Monday, through
Friday, and 4.30 P.M. 6 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays.
5 Use of the undeveloped parking area may only occur under the conditions prescribed by
the City Engineer allowing a gravel surface as long as access is prevented from the
neighboring street and gravel is placed to prevent mud and debris from being deposited in
the alley from the site. If the gravel driveway condition becomes inaccessible for use due
to disrepair or maintenance, or access from Second Street is desired, the use shall cease
until the parking area is improved to the City's more standard parking lot development
design at which time access to Second Street may be utilized.
Findings.
1 Following a public hearing conducted on September 9, 2009, the Planning Commission
approved Conditional Use Permit CUP 09 -06 allowing an outreach center entitled "The
Answer For Youth (TAFY to be established in the Commercial Office zone. The
applicant is Susan Hilgren. The site location is 711 E. Second Street.
2. The Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit with two conditions.
3 Section 17.96.070(E) of the Port Angeles Municipal Code Extensions of Approved
Conditional Use Permits reads "Extensions of approved conditional use permits shall be
considered in accordance with the same procedures as for the original permit application,
and may be granted for a period of one to five years, provided that the following
minimum criteria are met:
1 The use complies with the permit conditions.
2. There have been no significant, adverse changes in circumstances.
Upon written request for an extension submitted to the Department of
Community and Economic Development prior to the expiration of the conditional use
permit, said conditional use permit shall be automatically extended for ninety days to
allow the City adequate time to review the extension request.
F. Minor Amendment of Approved Conditional Use Permits.
1 Upon written request submitted to the Department of Community and
Economic Development a minor amendment may be made to an approved conditional
use permit if.
a. The amendment does not increase the intensity of the use by more than
10% of the original approval,
b. The amendment will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or
injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and zone in which
the subject property is located;"
4 The applicant requested extension of the CUP in a timely manner, with such extension
being requested prior to the one year expiration date on September 7, 2010.
5 Notice of the extension was placed in the Peninsula Daily News and mailed to
neighboring property owners and parties of record on September 24, 2010 At the time of
this staff report, no written comment has been received as a result of that notification.
increasing the hours of operation to allow seven (7) day a week use rather than the
originally approved five (5) days per week. The original days /hours of operation were 3
7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and 4.30 6 on Saturday Added dates /hours
are requested to be Tuesday and Thursday with hours being 3 P.M. 7 P.M. and 4.30
P.M.— 6 P.M. on Sundays.
7 The City of Port Angeles Public Works and Utilities Department approved development
of the required off street parking area to a gravel standard with the condition that access
to the neighborhood street be prevented. In response to this requirement, the applicant
has added a gravel base to the parking area and erected a fence across the access to
Second Street. The City will allow the gravel use as a trial but indicated that if the
parking area becomes unusable due to maintenance issues, the area will need to be
improved to the standard asphalt or concrete parking area for further use of the site.
Conclusions
1 The proposal is consistent with other uses permitted and with the purpose of the
Commercial Office zone described in 17.20 010 PAMC
Planning Commission Minutes
October /3, 20/0
Page 4
2. As conditioned, the proposal is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan,
specifically with Land Use Element, Land Use Map Goal A, Policies 1 2, Commercial
Goal D, Policiesl 2, Utilities and Public Services Element, Goal B, Policy 3,
Economic Development Element, Goal A, Policy 8.
3 The proposal is consistent with requirements for the extension of a conditional use permit
as specified in PAMC 17.96 070
Commissioner Boyle seconded the motion that passed 6 0.
Commissioner Sue returned to the meeting room.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
STAFF REPORTS
Planning Manager Sue Roberds noted that each Fall staff tries to put together potential
amendments to the Port Angeles Municipal Code to effect minor corrections to various sections
of the Municipal Code where adjustments have become apparent over the year She listed
several housekeeping matters that are `on the table for discussion" and encouraged
Commissioners to indicate if there are others that should be reviewed at this time.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioners discussed impact funds, signs, banners, street lights, and procedural
issues.
Commissioner Bruch indicated that she would prefer an opportunity to discuss issues
more fully prior to making decisions and perhaps even table items in order to provide time to do
research and review materials in association with particular applications. Staff noted that the
Commission can take as much time as necessary to deliberate following close of a public
Planning COAu,,:3slOn Minutes
October 13, 2010
Page 5
hearing. Discussion need not be rushed but, unless additional information is needed to be
provided by staff or an applicant, an item should not be tabled in order to obtain information on
one's own or outside of the group. Commissioners discussed that actions are a group decision
based on the same information being gained by each Commissioner in the same setting. The
Commissioners discussed meeting procedure and protocols voicing previous training received
from City staff including the City's Attorney on the matter of public hearings.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7 45 p.m.
PREPARED BY S. Roberds
Sue Roberds, retary John Matthews, Chair