HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/11/2013 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
September 11, 2013
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Thomas Davis, Duane Morris, Doc Reiss, David Miller,
Tim Boyle, George Reimlinger
Members Excused: Scott Headrick
Staff Present: Sue Roberds,Nathan West, Heidi Greenwood
Public Present: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Boyle opened the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Miller moved to approve the August 28,2013, regular meeting minutes. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Morris and passed 5 — 0 with Commissioner Reiss
abstaining due to absence at the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT—MCA 13-02 and MCA 13-03 —
FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT AND SIDEWALK USE: Proposed
amendments to (A) the City's Flood Plain Ordinance to achieve compliance with
Federal Emergency Management Act(FEMA) requirements, and (2) amendment
to the City's sidewalk use regulations to allow the use of skateboards, roller
skates, bicycles, and similar devices along the Waterfront Trail within the City's
Downtown area.
Chair Boyle opened the public hearing for Municipal Code Amendment MCA 13-02—FEMA
compliance.
Planning Manager Sue Roberds reviewed the Department Report recommending approval of
the two proposed amendments. Mrs. Roberds explained that, following a community assistance
visit, State Department of Ecology representatives indicated that the City's Flood Management
ordinance is not in compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA)
requirements due to a lack of mandated language regarding recreational vehicles. It is necessary
to be in compliance with FEMA standards to retain flood insurance coverage for City properties
and City residents as well as to be able to apply for federal grants. The minimal amendments do
not impose any unusual restrictions on property owners. Most of the properties affected by the
amendments are owned by the City, Port, or Tribe.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 11,2013
Page 2
Director West responded to a question from Commissioner Reimlinger that the Twitzen
property would be exempt from local ordinance requirements once converted to Tribal Trust
land.
There being no further testimony, Chair Boyle closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Morris recommended approval of Municipal Code Amendment MCA 13-02
as proposed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Miller and passed 6 —0.
Chair Boyle opened the public hearing for Municipal Code Amendment MCA 13-03 —
Sidewalk Use.
Director West stated that, during design of the Waterfront Transportation Improvement Project
(WTIP), the City Council directed staff to ensure that the Municipal Code would be modified to
allow an uninterrupted Trail use by a variety of users along the Downtown shoreline area at the
time of completion. The Municipal Code (Section 10.26) currently prohibits the use of bicycles
and similar wheeled devices on sidewalks in the Downtown. The City's Waterfront improvement
recreational area is within the Downtown. The proposed ordinance amendment coincides with
the City Council's goals in creating connectivity along the Waterfront/Discovery Trail through
the Downtown of uses expected on the Trail. The proposed amendment is minor and simply
accomplishes the Council's goals. The entire sidewalk section (Section 10.26) of the Municipal
Code should be more thoroughly reviewed particularly with regard to the most current American
with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The existing ordinance wording is outdated with regard
to the use of these types of public facilities. However, given the detail of standards provided in
the outdated ordinance, a more thorough review will be needed that will involve input from
various groups and departments and will likely take a good deal of time to accomplish. The
proposed minor amendment should not be delayed until such time as a more thorough review can
take place as Phase I of the WTIP is due to open at the end of the month. He assured
Commission members that all City use standards will accommodate the handicapped needs of
the population in all City facilities.
Chair Boyle closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of Municipal Code Amendment MCA
13-03 as proposed with the understanding that a more thorough review of the PAMC
section will take place at a future date. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reiss
and passed 6 —0.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
STAFF REPORTS
Director West noted that the ribbon cutting for Phase I of the Waterfront Transportation
Improvement Plan will be held at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Oak Streets on September
27, 2013, at 4:30 PM. Mr. West encouraged all of the Planning Commissioners to attend the
ribbon cutting block party.
Planning(70mmission Alinuies
September 11,2013
Page 3
Mr. West also indicated that the City's IT Department will be sending information regarding
City e-mail accounts to those Commissioners who previously requested City accounts. That
information should be mailed prior to the first meeting in October.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M..
Sue Robcrds,, ecretary Tim Boyl_e,''
PREPARED BY: S. Roberds