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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/10/2010ROLL CALL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 February 10,2010 6:00 p.m. Members Present: John Matthews, Werner Beier, Mike Caudill, Tim Boyle, Nancy Powers, Carla Sue Members Excused: Doc Reiss Staff Present: Scott Johns, Nathan West Public Present: Glenny Mathey, Val Thomas, Carla Carter, Jill Dole, Bill Dole, Susan Hillgren, Wayne Ruedell, Ami Barrigan, David R. Hull, Karen Hull, Ruben Caldwell, Cookie Kalfur, Cheryl Mantle, Pam Fosnes APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Powers moved to approve the January 13, 2010, minutes as written. Commissioner Beier seconded the motion that passed 5 0 with Commissioner Sue abstaining due to her absence at the January 13 meeting. OTHER ITEMS: The Answer For Youth Six month Review of CUP 09 -06 The Answer For Youth (TAFY) Vice Chair Mathews indicated that only comments from the proponent would be taken under this agenda item, however, public comment will be taken during the "Communications from the Public" portion of the meeting. Associate Planner Scott Johns then presented a brief staff report to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Boyle asked what further steps there would be in the permitting process. Planner Johns indicated that the conditional use permit was initially approved for a one year period with review at six months. If the applicant wishes to extend the conditional use permit beyond the initial approval period, an extension must be requested prior to expiration of the permit, at which time there will be a public review of the record prior to extension of the permit. Extension of the permit is based upon compliance with permit conditions. Susan Hillgren, 12 Pearce Road., The Answer For Youth Executive Director, outlined several accomplishments that The Answer For Youth has made during its first six months of operation. Commissioner Powers asked about parking lot improvements that are required for operation of a business in the City Ms. Hillgren indicated that she would ask someone else to address the parking lot improvement issue. Planning Canimtssron Minutes February 102, 2010 Page 2 Dave Hull, 343 House Road, Sequim, Vice President Board of Directors TAFY stated that a letter requesting a one year delay of the City's requirement to complete parking lot improvements was submitted to the City Engineer As an engineer, he is working on a parking lot plan for parking lot improvements required by the City's Public Works and Utilities Department. The request for delay of improvements was made because TAFY is planning expansion of the building, and due to the volunteer nature of the organization, more time will be needed to complete the improvements. Commissioner Powers requested clarification of the memo written by City Engineer Steve Sperr that indicated a parking lot plan is needed prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy Director West indicated that there is a one year period within which an applicant has to complete the requirements and that issue is primarily between the City Engineer and the applicant. At the one year renewal hearing, if required improvements have not been made, the matter will become part of any extension action Chair Mathews asked staff what follow -up to the letters received had been made. Planner Johns indicated that there had been several contacts made by e-mail, telephone and in person at City Hall with the letter writers. Commissioner Caudill commented that parking lots are evaluated before a use starts so that similar issues may not become an issue after a business opens. Commissioner Boyle asked what steps TAFY would take in the next few months to address the parking lot. He added that it seemed like a shame to discuss the parking lot when the Planning Commission should be thinking about how effective the program is to the community Vice Chair Matthews commented that when parking lot improvements are completed, many of the problems addressed in the letters of concern should go away He also stated that TAFY is providing a valuable service to the community No further comment was provided. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Dave Hull, 343 House Road, Sequim, indicated that the problems between The Answer For Youth patrons (clients and /or staff) are serious. He indicated that TAFY staff have put up signs in and around their building indicating that their clients should not park in the neighboring business's parking lot. To help resolve the parking issue, he stated that TAFY intends to construct a fence between the two properties. He further indicated that TAFY is doing their best to resolve the problems and inform their clientele where it is appropriate to park. Ruben Caldwell, 111 Done Rollin Lane, Port Angeles, indicated that he was taken aback by the Vice Chair's comment that TAFY is providing a valuable community service. He related that, as recently as last week, one of the workers at the neighboring business, (Greenwood Center) had been verbally assaulted and surrounded by individuals from the TAFY facility He indicated that there was a serious problem with boundaries personal and property Greenwood contracted with a vehicle towing company and installed signs warning of tow -away for non Planning Commission Minutes February 102, 2010 Page 3 authorized vehicles day after the altercation. No signs were put up by TAFY until after a police report had been filed by Greenwood. He further indicated that there were no problems with the previous occupant of the building and that there had been no attempt by TAFY staff to contact individuals at Greenwood regarding the unacceptable behavior described. Cookie Kalfur, 221 Mt. Pleasant Summit Road, Board Officer for TAFY, indicated that she was offended by the letter that had been sent to the Community and Economic Development office and that this evening was the first time that she had seen the letter The TAFY staff are professional people and have respect for the Greenwood staff. She apologized for not providing a better response to the Greenwood issues, however, she indicated that TAFY staff had been rebuffed when such attempts had been made. She felt that the parking lot incident reported by Greenwood was not how Greenwood had characterized it. She further stated that TAFY was supported by 10 to 12 churches and a large number of volunteers who are conscientious and responsible individuals. TAFY is filling a void in the community and hoped that the Greenwood staff could become partners in the community service effort that TAFY was providing. An open invitation to Greenwood to collaborate on community issues and to move forward was made by Ms. Kalfur Cheryl Mantle, 113 S. Eunice Street, a staff member /partner of Greenwood, stated that there have been negative neighborhood impacts from the TAFY use. Her concern went beyond the issues of parking and indicated that there has been a general disregard for boundaries. She indicated that the youth clients at TAFY had not been a problem, but that it was TAFY staff or other adults that had caused the problems. All she is asking for is that commonly accepted boundaries be respected. Pam Fosnes, 1028 E. 7th Street, representing TAFY Board of Directors, offered an apology to Greenwood staff. She further offered to build a fence to separate the two businesses and suggested that Greenwood install private parking signs to help resolve the parking issue. Ms. Fosnes indicated that TAFY will complete the improvements to the parking lot as required and that TAFY intends to be good neighbors. In reply to the comment regarding the confrontational incident in the parking lot, she stated that it was not TAFY staff, but individuals who had attended an AA meeting at TAFY that were involved in the incident. No further comments were offered. STAFF REPORTS Planning Director, Nathan West mentioned that two positions on the Planning Commission are up for renewal and that current City policy requires sitting members to submit an application form and be interviewed by the City Council for reappointment to the Commission. He emphasized that all of the Planning Commission members have done a great job, and that planning staff is hopeful that both Commissioners will apply for reappointment. Mr West then announced that the Department of Ecology is holding a meeting at the Port Angeles Senior Center to discuss clean -up of the Rayonier site and that it might be a good meeting for Planning Commission members to attend. He then excused himself so he could attend that meeting. Planning Commission Minutes February 101, 2010 Page 4 Associate Planner Scott Johns presented a short PowerPoint presentation of the Community and Economic Development Department's Year -End Report. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting a. ourned at -7.10 p.m. Scott John PREPARED BY S. Johns OgL, John Mathews, Vice Chair