Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01/28/2009W A S H I N G T O N U.S.A. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street January 28, 2009 6 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER Pledge Of Allegiance Led by the Chair II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting of January 14, 2009 IV. WORK SESSION Presentation by City of Port Angeles Archaeologist Derek Beery V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS John Matthews (Chair), Doc Reiss (Vice Chair),Werner Beier, Mike Caudill, Tim Boyle, Carla Sue, One vacancy PLANNING STAFF Nathan West, Director, Sue Roberds, Planning Manager, Scott Johns, Associate Planner, Dan Bialzik, Assistant Planner ROLL CALL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 January 28, 2009 6:00 p.m. Members Present: John Matthews, Mike Caudill, Carla Sue, Doc Reiss, Tim Boyle Members Excused. Werner Beier, One vacancy Staff Present: Sue Roberds, Nathan West, Derek Beery, Kent Myers, Dan Bialzik, Heidi Greenwood Public Present: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Matthews led the Pledge of Allegiance. Community Economic Development Director Nathan West introduced new City Manager Kent Myers most recently from Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mr Myers said that and his wife are very excited to be here in Port Angeles. The City has a lot of challenges but also presents a lot of opportunities. He looks forward to working with and providing support to the Planning Commission, and said that his door is open at all times. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Review of the minutes was moved to later in the meeting. WORK SESSION Presentation by City of Port Angeles Archaeologist Derek Beery Director West introduced Derek Beery, the City of Port Angeles Archaeologist. Mr West will present a predictive model, which is a work in progress that stems from the August, 2006, Settlement Agreement reached as part of the Graving Yard incident. The Agreement is significant to the City in that the City has to ensure the protection of cultural resources within the City, but most specifically, within the shoreline area north of the marine bluff line. Derek will provide a clear picture of how a predictive model is put together The City has become very innovative as to how cultural resources are addressed and is in a leadership position in Washington State with regard to cultural resource planning. Derek Beery, City of Port Angeles Archaeologist provided a definition of a predictive model. In a nutshell, humans use the environment around them to make a living, and when they do that, they leave things behind. A predictive model is an attempt to consider the environment, Planning Comnussron Al January 28, 2009 Page 2 and the idea of past human behavior, and from this information, predict where certain activities may have occurred. Computer modeling can correlate the location of known artifacts and given certain environmental and human habit information, can identify (predict) the limitations of areas where artifacts may be found. This information can be a very helpful tool in the planning process to predict where archaeological resources may be found. Predictive models work best used early in the planning process to provide an idea if, and what type of, resources one may be dealing with when breaking ground. Mr. Beery provided a lengthy, detailed description of the various aspects of developing a predictive model, the equipment, data, and knowledge of the history and geology of the area such that a dependable, updated model is the result. The intent is to aid in land development such that surprises that restrict an intended development in specific areas are reduced or eliminated. Chair Matthews asked if all of the information used in creating the predictive model would be available to the public, and, if not, who would be privy to the information. Mr Beery answered that State law prevents archaeological information from being released to the general public. The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) maintains the data base. DAHP allows archaeological information to be reviewed but security dictates that it may only be reviewed by professionals. For instance, a professional (lawyer, etc.) representing a client who is intending to develop a property where cultural resources may be an issue, may obtain such information in order to competently conduct an environmental review or like report. The predictive model will help people make decisions during a planning process. The City has an agreement with DAHP for specific individual access to the archaeological data. Mr Beery closed by saying that the model is predictive but certainly not absolute. The model will take what is known about the environment and past cultures of the area and relating that information to the present by display on a map The model will assist people who develop properties to assess risks for developing properties where archaeological resources are present. The model is going to reduce the high probability areas of development on the waterfront. The model is not meant to instill fear, but is meant to calm fear that development can occur on the waterfront. Based on a little more knowledge, and with some foresight and planning, development will move forward in a smart manner Director West commended Archaeologist Beery's work and stated that the City appreciates his efforts in developing the predictive model. He reiterated that if a development is proposed in a high probability area, that does not mean that no development can occur, it just means that extra caution must be observed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (continued) Commissioners Sue and Reiss corrected their attendance records for the November 12, and December 10, 2008 meetings. Commissioner Boyle moved to approve the January 14, 2009, regular meeting with corrections to attendance as noted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Caudill, and passed 5 0. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None STAFF REPORTS Planning Comm:ssmn Minutes January 28, 2009 Page 3 STAFF REPORTS Director West reported that representatives of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) made a preliminary visit to Port Angeles to gather field notes in association with a grant presented to the City, sponsored by the Port Angeles Forward Committee. That grant will focus on the First/Front Street corridors, as well as the Downtown area. A team of individuals from varying professions will be developing an area plan for what Port Angeles Forward has identified as an "International Corridor" The team will be returning on March 16 to begin an intensive 3- day planning session. The end result will be to get a number of implementation steps and funding mechanisms associated with those steps that can actually be implemented to improve the First/Front Street corridors as well as the Downtown area. He encouraged Commissioners to participate in the planning efforts, but to be cognizant that it does not appear that a quorum is present. The 2011 Comprehensive Plan update will be beginning soon. He hoped that this corridor plan would be incorporated as the first phase of that Plan update. The City has been working diligently to recruit the NOAA Marine Operations Center for Port Angeles, and has been working to assist consultants to prepare a final proposal for that possibility Although the City only received the solicitation in December, staff and the consultant, along with other members of the community, have been working diligently on the issue and is very competitive in this matter Competitors are Bellingham and Seattle. He was hopeful that the City would be short listed for the move. Commissioner Boyle asked that Director West identify the subject areas for the AIA grant. Director West said that generally the areas are (1) streetscaped; (2) how second floor and above spaces that are presently underutilized can be utilized; (3) signage; (4) landscaping; and (5) building design. More than anything, looking at ways to revitalize the corridor areas by incentives rather than regulations. A waterfront promenade improvement has long been a desire of the City Director West provided an update on the Gateway development. The City is very excited about completing the development. The Farmer's Market group is interested in locating in the Gateway, and that may happen. The City has been waiting for answers from engineers regarding some building concerns. Progress is definitely being made. Temporary occupancy has been issued for the west garage. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Port Angeles Harborworks Development Authority (PDA). This is a critically important project for the City as it is an opportunity actually see the Rayonier site developed. The redevelopment of the Rayonier property and the success of the PDA is not going to be possible without full community support. Any way that better communication can be had is important. He encouraged Commissioners to contact staff whenever questions arise that staff can answer. The PDA is a tool that allows the City to move forward in partnership with other entities to speed clean up of the site and development within the next few years. There is funding out there that will go to another community if not Port Angeles. He would prefer to see those funds spent in Port Angeles, and to see positive change at the site. His door is always open for questions, and he encouraged Commissioners to become involved. Director West answered Commissioner Caudill that yes, Rayonier does own the property It is likely that 50% of the clean up costs would be paid for by the state or federal government rather than Rayonier, but the alternative is that it would sit unimproved for many years to come in its current state. Through the PDA, the timeline will be more definitive and assured as to cleanup of the site and its redevelopment. Planning Commission Minutes January 28, 2009 Page 4 Mr. West informed Commissioners that he will be attending a meeting in Olympia next week where results of the dioxin study recently conducted in Port Angeles will be available. He will report on that meeting at a later date. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS The Port Angeles Forward Committee Minutes of January 8, 2009, prepared by Commissioner Boyle, were distributed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. Sue Roberd /Secretary John Matthews, Chair PREPARED BY S. Roberds