HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2021-04-14MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION
City Council Chambers
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
April 14, 2021 6:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Stanley opened the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Andrew Schwab (Chair), Benjamin Stanley (Vice-Chair),
Marolee Smith, Colin Young
City Staff Present: Emma Bolin (Manager)
Ben Braudrick (Associate Planner)
Chris Cowgill (Assistant City Attorney)
Public Present: Mark Hodgson
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
Chair Schwab closed public comments
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Young moved to accept the minutes from the March 24, 2020 meeting.
Commissioner Smith seconded, all were in approval
ACTION ITEMS
1. Action Item: SMP Periodic Update Action
Planning Manager Bolin presented the background and staff report for the draft amendment
process and outcome to the Shoreline Master Program. Staff recommends (1) the Planning
Commission approve the 2021 Shoreline Master Program update submission to the Department of
Ecology and request a determination of consistency., and (2) following Department of Ecology
review and statement of concurrence, approve of submission to City Council for adoption. If the
Department of Ecology issues a written statement requiring changes, the revisions will go back to
the Planning Commission for further review and recommendation.
Chair Shwab opened the opportunity for Commissioners to ask questions of Staff.
Commissioner Young asked about the “should/shouldn’t” clause in the WAC concerning
overwater housing. Manager Bolin responded that the media attention that was garnered from
the Port’s proposal led the Department of Ecology to respond that the clause “should” in this case
means “shall”. Commissioner Young asked what the consequence would be to continue with the
proposal. Manager Bolin responded that the Department of Commerce could restrict the ability
for the City to received awarded grant funding from the State.
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Commissioner Smith asked if the problem with floating houses the utility attachments.
Manager Bolin that utilities are one factor to consider, but that the statute, definitions, and
administration were all reasons for the designation of non-conformity.
Commissioner Stanley asked if staff could better define the difference between a floating home
and a houseboat with a motor vehicle license. He understood the reasoning behind the clause due
to the sensitive nature of the shoreline ecosystem. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept staff recommendation to send the Shoreline
Master Program update materials to the Department of Ecology. Commissioner Young
seconded the motion. Discussion followed. All were in approval.
2. Action Item: Planning Commission Bylaws Amendments
Staff presented the Commissioner’s submitted recommended edits to the Planning Commission
Bylaws. The Planning Commissioners discussed the proposed edits and the possibility of
including further edits that include holdover from when the Planning Commission still held quasi-
judicial hearings.
Commissioner Young made a motion to accept the bylaw revisions presented by Staff.
Commissioner Stanley seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Chair Schwab asked for a
roll call vote. The motion passed 3-1, with Commissioner Smith voting “no”.
3. Work Session: Climate Resiliency Plan Task 4 Preparation
Commissioner Young presented his Parks and Recreation and Transportation Element
SWOT analyses for the Climate Resiliency Plan. Discussion followed and some edits
were suggested.
STAFF UPDATES
Manager Bolin updated the Commissioners on the Climate Resiliency draft workplan and the
opportunity for Commissioners to be interviewed as a part of the Makers Group code change effort.
Planner Braudrick update the Commissioners on the WA-APA Peninsula Section Spring Forum
date change to May 20th. The focus would be on transportation equity. He also recommended the
Commissioners all attend an upcoming Short Course on Local Planning held by the Department of
Commerce.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Stanley reported that he was eager to see the Cascadia workplan for the Climate
Resiliency Plan. He mentioned his interest in seeing Parklets made available downtown for
increased outdoor seating and activity. He proposed putting housing as a work session on the
agenda at a future meeting.
Commissioner Smith wanted see the temporary housing ordinance brought back for consideration
and for the Commissioner to begin addressing the City’s urban forest through ordinance and the
formation of a Tree Advisory Board.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
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Ben Braudrick, Secretary Andrew Schwab, Chair
PREPARED BY: Ben Braudrick, Secretary
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