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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/14/2001 . . . I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. FORr.ANGELES WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street March 14,2001 CALL TO ORDER 7 p.m. ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of February 28,2001. PUBLIC HEARING: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT MCA 01-01 NORDSTROMlBEUTLER. Industrial Light zones City wide: A proposal to amend the Port Angeles Municipal Code to allow portable sawmill operations of less than one-half acre in size in the Industrial Light zone. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ELECTIONS - 2001-02 STAFF REPORTS REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMM ISSIONERS: Fred Hewins(Chair,), Linda Nutter (Vice Chair); Fred Norton, Bob Philpott, Charles Sehramm, Mary Craver, WJI1e Doly PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Planning Director; Sue Roberds, Planning Speeialist. . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 March 14,2001 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Philpott, Fred Norton, Linda Nutter, Fred Hewins, Wayne Doty, Chuck Schramm Members Excused: Mary Craver Staff Present: Brad Collins, Debra Barnes Public Present: Al Nordstrom, Frank Beutler APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Philpott moved to approve the February 28,2001, meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norton. Commissioner Philpott amended the motion to allow a typographical correction on Page 2. Commissioner Norton seconded the amendment which passed 6-0. The main motion passed 5-0 with Commissioner Doty abstaining due to absence at the meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT-MCA 01-01- NORDSTROM/BEUTLER, Industrial Light zones City wide: A proposal to amend the Port Angeles Municipal Code to allow portable sawmill operations of less than one-half acre in size in the Industrial Light zone. Staff provided the staff report. Following questions by the Conunissioners regarding the differences between a permitted and conditional use, types of trucks for log hauling, and location ofIndustrial Light zones, Chair Hewins opened the public hearing Frank Beutler, P. O. Box 193, Port Angeles conunented that small trucks or flatbeds bring the logs to the site and remove the cut lumber. He added that generally there are two loads of logs stacked at the site. The logs are generally short, less than 40-feet in length. The applicant answered several questions of the Commission. The applicant stated that they mostly cut orders by others but often cut their own logs for resale. The applicant stated that they had no concern with the proposed conditions under Option 2 of the staff report, adding that they could not operate within a building, that their hours of operation were generally between 8-2, that they allow free pick up of sawdust and firewood, and that the size limit of Yz acre would not be restrictive. The applicant described the sawmill, including the motor and trailer length. Planning Commission Minutes March f4, 200f Page 2 . There being no further testimony, Chair Hewins closed the public hearing. Director Collins stated that currently, the Zoning Code does not list conditions for certain permitted uses. A lengthy discussion was made on what a portable sawmill could entail, including the trailer length, size of saw, and size oflogs that could be milled. In addition, several commissioners noted that a conditional use approval would be the only avenue to ensure that environmental impacts and compatibility could be addressed, some adding that the CUP process could adequately address the size of the operations. The Commissioners asked the applicant for additional clarification relating to the size of portable sawmills. The Commissioners discussed using 'small scaled' instead of 'portable' when describing the use, adding that a definition was probably in order to adequately address the size of such a use. A draft definition of small scale sawmill was discussed, as follows: A small scale sawmill occurs on an area of one-half acre or less and with the gross weight of the sawmill no greater than J 0, 000 pounds. . Commissioner Schramm moved to approve MCAOl-Ol following Option 2 ofthe staff report and adding a definition for small scale saw mills, based on the findings and conclusions listed below. Commissioner Nutter seconded the motion. Commissioner Nutter motioned to amend the main motion with two corrections in the bulleted text in Option 2. Commissioner Norton seconded, which passed 5-1 with Commissioner Doty voting against the motion stating that the listed conditions are not necessary. The main motion passed 4-2 with Commissioners Doty and Hewins voting against, reiterating earlier comments made by Commissioner Doty. MCAOI-0l Amend PAMC 17.32 as follows: Allow "Small Scale sawmills" as a conditional use within the IL zone under P AMC 17 .32.040(B)(l 0) with the following standards: · Hours of operation are limited from 7 am to 6 pm Monday-Friday All lighting shall be directed away from residential areas · Noise levels shall comply with WAC 173-60, as applicable · Proper management of wood waste shall be conducted to avoid excessive accumulation of wood waste · The site and total area of operations, shall not exceed one-half acre in area, including the storage of logs and finished products. Add a definition in PAMC 17.08 as follows: Small scale sawmill. A small scale sawmill occurs on an area of one-half acre or less and with the gross weight of the sawmill no greater than 10,000 pounds. . Findings and Conclusions: 1. An application for a municipal code amendment was filed on February 5, 200] by Beutler and Nordstrom, Inc. that proposed an amendment to PAMC Title 17, Zoning Code. The . . . Planning Commission Minutes March 14,2001 Page 3 application proposed the allowance of a 'sawmill operation under one-half acre in size' as a permitted use in the Industrial, Light Zone under P AMC 17.32. 2. The application states that portable sawmills are generally operated by one to two persons and require less than one-half acre of area to operate. Portable sawmills normally cut specialty wood products to custom specifications. Average board lengths are 8-20 feet. The portable sawmills are on trailers and can be easily moved. Minimal public utilities are required to operate a small planer or joiner. Logs are delivered in small trucks and are not stored for lengthy periods of time on site. Most finished products are picked up or hauled to customers on a flatbed trailer. Mill scraps can be used as firewood and sawdust is given to livestock/horse owners. 3. The portable sawmill can be placed within an enclosed building, an open building that provides cover, or be operated outside. Logs to be milled are brought to the site by log trucks and maneuvering the logs onto the saw, and stacking the milled lumber requires a forklift or other heavy equipment. 4. The Industrial, Light zone is designated on properties located north of the Fairchild Airport and south of18th Street, near the intersection of Lauridsen and "B" Streets, east of Red Lion motel adj acent to the Port Angeles Harbor, and near the intersection of 2nd Street with both Tumwater Truck Route and Valley Street. 5. Within the IL zone, wood product manufacturing, such as cabinets and prefab building components within a building is a permitted use. In addition, retail of building materials is a permitted use, as is wholesale buildings and yards, and storage yards for builders and contractors. These uses address the sale and storage of lumber products but not production or manufacturing of them. Allowed by conditional use approval, manufacturing buildings for specialized small tools and parts may be proposed within the IL zone. In reviewing the uses allowed in this zone, outside storage of materials is permitted, but the processing and manufacturing of materials should be contained within buildings. 6. Within the Industrial, Heavy zone, wood products manufacturing and sawmills are permitted uses and are not required to be within a building. This zone does not differentiate between a large scale or small scale sawmill. The IH zone is located south ofthe Fairchild Airport, and along the waterfront. 7. The potential negative impacts of such an operation would include dust and noise from the sawmill, truck traffic or heavy equipment, light and glare, aesthetics and accumulation and disposal of wood waste. Noise can be mitigated by buffering, such as enclosure ofthe use within a building and sufficient trees and vegetation, as well as hours of operation. In addition, compliance with WAC 173-60 Maximum Environmental Noise Levels would be required. If located outside and not under cover, the hours of operation would be limited by daylight, the ability of outside lighting and also weather conditions. Light and glare can be mitigated by lighting design, landscaping, and hours of operation. Aesthetics can be addressed by buffers and vegetation. Dust could be mitigated by watering and by wind barriers. Wood waste accumulation and disposal can be addressed by best management . . . Planning Commission Minutes March /4,200/ Page 4 practices to include operation and storage of materials on a concrete foundation, as well as through systematic removal and proper disposal of waste accumulation. 8. The entire Comprehensive Plan was reviewed) and the following Comprehensive Plan policies are most relevant to the proposed amendment Land Use Element Goal "A", Land Use Element Objective "Al" , Land Use Element Goal "H" , Land Use Element Policy "H3 ", Land Use Element Policy "H4 ", Conservation Policy "A2", Economic Development Goal "A ", Economic Development Policy "A2", and Economic Development Policy "A5". 9. A smaller-scaled portable sawmill could be a permitted use within the IL zone if contained within a building under P AMC 17.32.020(A)(l0), as long as other nuisance factors can be adequately addressed. 10. 'Portable sawmills' could be allowed as a conditional use within the IL zone under PAMC 17 .32.040(B)(1 0) with certain standards to address noise, light and glare, accumulation of wood waste, and overall compatibility with adjacent residential uses. As an alternative, they could be a permitted use under PAMC 17.96.040(F) with several standard conditions. 11. The purpose of the Industrial) Light Zone under P AMC 17.32.010 is as follows: This is an industrial zone intended to create and preserve areas for industrial uses in close proximity to aitports and highways. Permitted uses are largely devoid of exterior nuisance factors, such as noise, glare, air and water pollution, and fire and safety hazards on adjacent non-industrial property, and do not have an exceptional demand on public facilities. These types of indus'trial uses typically involve the manufacture of finished products from pre-fabricated materials, product wholesaling, and material storage. Buffering measures to reduce the impact of industrial uses on nearby residential uses may be required. 12. Requirements for Zoning Code amendments are specified in PAMe 17.96.100. 13. A Determination of NonSignificance was issued for MCAOI-0l on March 7,2001. This SEP A action constitutes the final decision of the lead agency and satisfies the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act. 14. Agency comments received on the proposal include: a) Fire Department requirements for compliance with the Uniform Fire Code that includes annual safety inspections, and b) Building Division requirements for any subsequent construction. No objections on the proposal were received. 15. In accordance with the Port Angeles Municipal Code, legal notice ofthe public hearing was made. No written public comments on the proposal were received. Conclusions 1. The proposal, MCAOI-OI, would allow small scale, portable sawmills to operate within the Industrial, Light zone on properties or portions of properties less than one-half acre in size. . .~ . Planning Commission Mimtles March 14. 2001 Page 5 2. Due to potential environmental affects and compatibility issues, small scale portable sawmills should require a conditional use permit approval in order to address potential impacts on surrounding uses. 3. The proposal, MCA 01-01, as recommended, would be consistent with the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan. 4. The proposal, MCA 01-01, as recommended, would be consistent with the Port Angeles Zoning Code and purpose and intent of the Industrial, Light zone. 5. The proposal, MCA 01-01, as recommended, is consistent with the requirements for Zoning Code Amendments as specified in PAMC 17.96.100. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None. ELECTIONS Commissioner Norton nominated Commissioner Nutter as Chair; Commissioner Schranun seconded the motion. Being no other nominations were submitted, the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Philpott nominated Commissioner Schramm as Vice Chair; Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. Being no other nominations, the motion passed unanimously. STAFF REPORTS Director Collins mentioned that the boards and commissions night is still being planned. It may be held at one of the Council's regular meetings in April. Planner Barnes requested a hand count of who would attend the March 22 short course. Barnes also gave a brief overview of the list of proposed comprehensive plan amendments that need to be filed by March 3pl. Commissioner Schramm asked for an update on the ferry dock upgrades which was provided by Director Collins. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Nutter stated that she would not be at the March 28th meeting. Commissioner Norton commended Chair Hewins for a job well done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. ~~ B ad Collms, Secretary i/~ F dH . C~h' re ewms, air · ~ORr.ANGELHS WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. PLANNING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE ROSTER AND TESTIMONY SIGN-UP SHEET PLEASE SIGN IN Meeting Agenda of: >;:J~t) /1;' ,;:0 () I PLEASE NOTE: IF you plan to testify, by signature below, you certify that the testimony given is true and correct under penalty of perjury by the laws of the State of Washington. SiRnature below DOES NOT REQUIRE you to testify - it only acknowledges your presence. N~ VIE: {I f , ADDRESS: Agenda Item No. Iv-::rl ~ oj ,,, J:L/'~ / '~o<B6-t' J cJ3 'R f} . ., / .