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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 12272023MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Hybrid Meeting – In Person and Virtual City Council Chambers: 321 E 5th Street, Port Angeles, Washington 98362 December 27, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER Chair Stanley opened the meeting at 6:03 P.M. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Benjamin Stanley (Chair) Tammy Dziadek Marolee Smith James Taylor Commissioners Absent: Richie Ahuja Colin Young City Staff Present: Ben Braudrick (Planning Supervisor) Zach Treviño (Associate Planner) Public Present: Chelsea Botero, Mandy Gallacci, Christian Hampp, John Ralston, additional unidentified members of the public PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Stanley opened the meeting to general public comment. The following individual provided comment: • John Ralston commended the PC on changes to cottage housing and other recent code amendments. He has no vested interest in short-term rentals but supports them. He stated that City staff and the Planning Commission have spent too much time on short - term rentals. He noted that the online short-term rental survey is difficult to comprehend and suggested that the City should allow for 4-5% of its housing stock to be short-term rentals. Chair Stanley closed the meeting to general public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Commissioner Smith moved to approve the minutes from the November 29, 2023 special meeting of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Dziadek seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0) through a consent vote. DocuSign Envelope ID: 698CE55D-4B16-4B2F-9429-0BF13E87E7AF Planning Commission Minutes December 27, 2023 Page 2 ACTION ITEMS 1. Façade and Sign Improvement Program Grant Application No. 23-03 Planner Treviño provided an overview of the grant request for improvements to a façade at 629 E Front Street. The applicant, Christian Hampp, declined to provide a presentation but offered to answer questions. Staff’s presentation was followed by an opportunity for the Planning Commission to ask questions of staff and the applicant. The Planning Commission discussed the request and provided feedback to the applicant on the proposed scope of work. Chair Stanley moved to approve FSG Application No. 23-03 as proposed by the applicant. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Smith moved to consider FSG Application No. 23-03 at a later date when the applicant resubmits the request with alternative options, with other contractor bids, and with signage incorporated into the proposal. The motion died for lack of a second. Chair Stanley stated that the applicant is welcome to contact staff about resubmitting the application, but that the Planning Commission is not approving the application at this meeting. Planner Braudrick confirmed that staff will work with the applicant to prepare an amended submittal. 2. Façade and Sign Improvement Program Grant Application No. 23-04 Planner Treviño provided an overview of the grant request for improvements to a structure at 619 E First Street. The applicant’s representative, Chelsea Botero, presented the applicant’s request for grant funding. The Planning Commission discussed the request and asked the applicant questions regarding the proposed scope of work. The Planning Commission expressed an intent to fund signage improvements, which were not originally requested for funding under FSG Application No. 23-04. Commissioner Smith moved to approve funding of FSG Application No. 23-04 as presented by the applicant, with the addition of funding for the proposed sign. Commissioner Dziadek seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0) through a roll call vote. STAFF UPDATES City staff provided the following updates to the Commission: • Planner Braudrick acknowledged the long email that was distributed to the Planning Commission and urged the Commissioners to contact staff if they have questions about it. He explained that he wanted the email to provide as much information as the Commission would need about the work plan for 2024 and 2025. He explained that there was availability for the recent November meeting to discuss housing, but the Commission’s upcoming work plan will be busy. He confirmed that staff will try to incorporate discussions into future meetings. • Planner Braudrick stated that staff received direction from the City Council to proceed with an outreach program for short-term rentals. He noted that staff will be present at the Winter Ice Village for a listening post the night of December 28 th. Staff will be present at the Port Angeles Farmer’s Market on January 6th. He explained that there will be a special DocuSign Envelope ID: 698CE55D-4B16-4B2F-9429-0BF13E87E7AF Planning Commission Minutes December 27, 2023 Page 3 Planning Commission meeting on January 11th for a community outreach event. He explained that a public hearing for the short-term lodging draft code will occur on January 24, 2024 in front of the Planning Commission. He urged the Commissioners to keep January 11th and January 24th open on their schedules. • Planner Braudrick confirmed that the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update effort will be moving forward soon. Commissioner Smith asked why she was unable to access Laserfiche online. Planner Braudrick explained that the website limits the number of users that can use the portal at any one time and invited her to contact staff for assistance. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS • Commissioner Taylor read the short-term rental survey and saw wording issues. He asked whether it would be typical for a survey to come before the Commission for its approval before it was launched. He noted that the infill exemptions in the fee schedule have confusing wording and the Commission could help the City clarify the wording. • Commissioner Taylor stated that he would have liked to have heard about the permit - ready plan sets from City staff instead of from the Peninsula Daily News. • Chair Stanley stated that he believes the housing discussion at the last Planning Commission meeting was productive. He stated that the Chair has the power to set some agenda items. He also noted that the Planning Commission should have time to discuss housing. He expressed disappointment at staff’s directive regarding this matter. He will keep pushing to improve housing in Port Angeles and wants housing placed on future meeting agendas. • Commissioner Taylor asked when the new Planning Commission seats will be filled. Planner Braudrick confirmed that applications have been received and the positions will be filled in March. Chair Stanley recommended that the election of a Vice Chair be added to the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT Chair Stanley moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and passed unanimously (4-0) through a consent vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 PM. Zach Treviño, Secretary Benjamin Stanley, Chair MINUTES PREPARED BY: Zach Treviño, Secretary DocuSign Envelope ID: 698CE55D-4B16-4B2F-9429-0BF13E87E7AF