HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12/10/2014 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
December 10, 2014
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Nancy Powers, Duane Morris, Scott Headrick, George
Reimlinger, Brian Hunter
Members Absent: David Miller, One vacancy
Staff Present: Sue Roberds, Scott Johns, Heidi Greenwood
Public Present: Tami Smith, Paul Haller
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chair Morris opened the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Commissioner Headrick arrived at 6:10 and assumed the Chair)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner George Reimlinger moved to approve the regular meeting minutes of
November 12, 2014. Commissioner Nancy Powers seconded the motion that passed 5 — 0.
PUBLIC HEARING:
SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT—SMA 14-04
NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES, USA, 1902 Marine Drive: Proposal to add
a(20' x 40') cardboard pulping unit to the Mill operations site in the Industrial
Heavy zone.
Associate Planner Scott Johns noted that this would be the final shoreline permit processed
under the City's 1995 Shoreline Master Program. Mr. Johns proceeded to review the staff report
recommending approval of the permit with conditions.
Commissioner Hunter asked about the archaeology protocol and whether a specific condition
should be attached relative to that protocol. Planner Johns responded that in this particular case,
Nippon and the Lower Elwha Tribe have entered into a memorandum of agreement regarding
archaeological monitoring so it is not necessary to further condition the permit accordingly.
Chair Headrick reviewed the qualifying questions for quasi judicial proceedings with
Commissioners. All Commissioners responded that they had no Appearance of Fairness of
Conflict of Interest issues to report. The Chair then reviewed the quasi judicial public hearing
procedures for audience members. No concerns were voiced by anyone present. Chair Headrick
reviewed the public hearing procedures and opened the public hearing.
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December 10,2014
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Ms. Tami Smith, Nippon Paper Industries, 1902 Marine Drive was present for questions.
Commissioner Morris noted that a garbage pit is noted on the site plan in the area of the
proposed activity. Ms. Smith responded that the garbage is existing and will be shifted due
to the proposed use. The garbage is pulper reject material and it is not covered.
Commissioner Powers asked how tall the proposed unit will be? Ms. Tami responded that
the unit is multi level and will be a maximum of 35' tall.
Paul Haller, Engineering Manager for Nippon Paper Industries, further stated that the
pulper unit is on four concrete pads and is tall because it is driven from beneath.
Dan Baliban, 236 East Front Street asked where the cardboard will be coming from? Ms.
Smith answered that some of the cardboard will come from Nippon but largely will be purchased
from a variety of contractors.
There being no further questions, Chair Headrick closed the public hearing
Commissioner Morris moved to approve the shoreline permit with the following conditions,
findings, and conclusions:
Conditions
1. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits from local, state and
federal agencies. Verification of permit issuance shall be supplied to the city prior to
beginning any site alteration or construction.
2. In the event archaeological artifacts, features or human remains are discovered on the
property, the permittee will immediately notify the City of Port Angeles, as well as the
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Archaeologist. The City, in turn will immediately notify
the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, as required in RCW
27.44 and 27.53.
Findings
Based on the information provided in the December 10, 2014, Staff Report for SMA 14-04
including all of its attachments, comments and information presented during the public hearing,
and the Planning Commission's discussion and deliberation, the City of Port Angeles Planning
Commission hereby finds that:
1. An application for a shoreline permit was submitted by Nippon Paper Industries, on
October 24, 2014, for the construction of a corrugated cardboard pulping system at the
existing recycling plant.
2. A Determination of Non-Significance (41352) was issued by the City of Port Angeles
SEPA Responsible Official for the proposal on December 10, 2014.
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3. The Port Angeles Shoreline Master Program, Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance
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and critical areas ordinances have been reviewed with respect to this application.
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December 10,2014
Page 3
4. The site is designated Industrial in the City's Comprehensive Plan, Industrial, Heavy in
the City's Zoning Ordinance, and Urban-Harbor in the City's Shoreline Master Program.
5. The following adopted City policies are most relevant to the proposed project:
a. Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element Goal A, Policy 2, Goal G, Policy 1, Goal
H, Policy 4; Conservation Element D-8; Economic Development Element Goal A,
Policies 2, 3, &4.
b. The City's Shoreline Master Program's Urban-Harbor designation and Economic
Development Goals 1, 2, & 3. Chapter 4, Policies A-1, B-1 and 2, D-1, K-1 and
2, 0-1 and 2. Chapter 5, Policies D-1, 3, 5, and 8. Chapter 6, Policy 2, and all
associated regulations.
6. The City's Waterfront Trail runs through the mill site. No impacts to the Trail are
anticipated from the construction proposal due to the location of the project relative to the
Trail.
7. Notice of the project was published in the Peninsula Daily News on November 14, 2014.
Notice of the proposal was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project site
and the site was posted on November 10, 2014. No written public comment was received
by the Department of Community and Economic Development during the written public
comment period that ended on December 9, 2014.
8. The site is located entirely within the A6 flood zone as indicated on FIRM Community
Panel number 530023 0002 C dated September 28, 1990 (Flood Insurance Rate Map),
described as areas of 100-year shallow flooding with depth between one (1) and three (3)
feet. In accordance with Section 15.12.240 PAMC, the Shoreline Substantial
Development acts as the necessary floodplain permit.
9. No additional impervious surfaces are being created and the pulping system will be
integrated into the existing industrial site such that no landscaping requirements are
required for stormwater mitigation or visual screening.
Conclusions
Based on the information provided in the December 10, 2014 Staff Report for SMA 14-04
including all of its attachments, comments and information presented during the public hearing,
the Planning Commission's discussion and deliberation, and the above listed findings, the City
of Port Angeles Planning Commission hereby concludes that:
A. The proposal is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan Shoreline Master Program
and will not be detrimental to the shoreline.
B. The proposed activity is in compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan and zoning
ordinance and will be developed in accordance with Section 15.12 PAMC (Flood Plain
ordinance).
C. Issuance of Determination of Non Significance (DNS) 91352 satisfies the City's
responsibility under the State Environmental Policy Act.
Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion that passed 5 —0.
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December 10,2014
Page 4
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
STAFF REPORTS
It was noted that the final new Shoreline Master Program text had been placed on the dais
to include in Commissioners' notebooks. Staff thanked the Commissioners for their years'
service and wished them Happy Holidays.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Morris noted that he had viewed the new rain garden project on "H" Street. The
rain gardens are full of water due to the recent deluge and it will be interesting to see how they
function.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Sue Roberd , Secretary Scott H/rick, Chair
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PREPARED BY: S. Roberds