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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01282026 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Port Angeles, Washington January 28,2026 This meeting was conducted as a hybrid meeting. CALL TO ORDER -MEETING Chair Steiger called the regular meeting of the Port Angeles Planning Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Planning Commission Chair Steiger, Commissioners: Schorr, Stanley, Kiedrowski, Mellema. Members Absent: Commissioner McMillian (excused) Staff Present: Community and Economic Development Director Shannen Cartmel, Planning Supervisor Ben Braudrick, Long Range and Special Projects Administrator Angel Torres, Housing Administrator Jalyn Boado, Natural Resources and Grant Administrator Courtney Bomsworth, Senior Development Services Specialist Pat Bartholick, Building Inspector/Licensing Administrator Chris Jackson, and Community Development Technician Triston Carlstrom PUBLIC COMMENT John Ralston, Resident, expressed appreciation for the process of adopting permit-ready plans. APPROVAL OFMINUTES It was moved by Schorr and seconded by Stanley to: Approve the October 22,2025, minutes after confirming the motion that was made (see recording). There was a question about whether Chair Young voted on a housing-related motion; it may have been 3-1 rather than 4-0. Motion carried unanimously AGENDA ITEMS Action: Planning Commission Elections With the recent resignation of the Chair, the Planning Commission will nominate and elect a new vice chair to backfill the position for the remainder of the 2025-2026 period. It was moved by Commissioner Stanley and seconded by Commissioner Kiedrowski to: Nominate Commissioner Stanley to Vice Chair. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Stanley abstaining. Discussion: Planning Commission Work Plan Staff presentation and discussion of the Planning Commission work plan, including life/safety and over-the-counter permitting updates, critical area ordinance updates, safe routes to school and sidewalk prioritization, and zoning and urban development updates. Housing Administrator Jalyn Boado to bring back a list of potential legislation that might affect the COPA to PC at the February 2026PC meeting. Vice Chair Stanley had a question regarding the Fire Code updates. There are many cities in the Country where Fire code revisions are limiting housing development. Multifamily housing should be front of mind. CED Manager Shannen Cartrnel: The Fire Code updates will primarily address antiquated code. The City cannot change the fire sprinkler requirement, as that is an IFC and IBC requirement. The Fire Marshal is always available to sit down and talk over why fire requirements exist. CITY OF PORT ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION - January 28,2026 Commissioner Mellema asked about removing the R9 and Rl I zones. It was moved by Commissioner Kiedrowski and seconded by Vice Chair Stanley to: Adopt the Municipal Code Amendment Schedule as the 2026 -2028 Planning Commission Workplan. Motion carried unanimously. STAFF UPDATES Monthlv Customer Service Report CED Manager Cartmel, presented the Customer Service Report. CED Technicians managed over 7,400 customer interactions in2025. Monthlv Tvpe 0/OTC Report CED Manager Cartmel, presented the over-the-counter report where in2025, we issued 352 over-the-counter permits. Monthlv 5290 Report Building Inspector/Licensing Administrator Jackson, Presented the 5290 report. Ln2025, the City reviewed 447 permits in total. Monthlv Affordable Housine Report Housing Administrator Boado, presented the monthly affordable housing report and shared an update on the Housing Action Plan Housing task progress. Monthly Natural Resources Report Natural Resource and Grant Administrator Bornsworth, presented an oral report of the monthly natural resource related programs and actions. Monthlv Land Use Permittins Report Long-range and Special Projects Administrator Torres, presented an oral report of the monthly land use permitted activities. Monthly Buildins Report Senior Development Services Specialist Bartholick, Presented the monthly building report for December 2025 Overall, in2025, we issued 529 building permits compared to 491 1n2024. Ouarterlv Grant Report Natural Resource and Grant Administrator Bornsworth, presented the quarterly grant report. COMMISSION REPORTS Chair Steiger, Marc Abshire, and the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce signed with Nesterly, and home sharing will be coming to Clallam County. Commissioner Schorr, stop signs around the City were replaced due to the sign warranty. This seems wasteful, as there are many areas in the City without stop signs, and for safety reasons, there should be one there. Page2 of 3 CITY OF PORT ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION - January 28,2026 Commissioner Stanley advocated for a T-shirt for Planning Commissioners who serye a full 8-year term Commissioner Kiedrowski, thanks the staff for the work and effort this past year. Commissioner Mellema, no report. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT John Ralston, Resident, commented on the Fire Code updates and the need to keep development costs affordable in the City. He expressed a desire for public engagement throughout the process. Expressed the design standards of development and the increased costs that are associated with them. ADJOTTRNMENT Chair Steiger motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7 :20 p.m. Commissioner Schorr seconded the motion, Steiger, Chair J Boado, Secretary Page 3 of3