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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/29/1994 . ~_. tr- 00(\ 10.. '1, ~ Iy~ -9~ "\~ c~ DEP~~ CITY OF PORT ANGELES 321 EAST FIFTH ST.. p.o. BOX 1150 PORT ANGELES. WASHINGTON 98362 PHONE t2061457-0'Hl AMENDED NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council and Planning Commission of the City of Port Angeles will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 29~ 1994, at 6:00 p.m., in the Vem Burlon Conference Rooms, 321 East Fifth Street. The City Council and Planning Commission will be joined by the members of the Growth Management Advisory Committee to continue consideration of the draft Comprehensive Plan and to conduct a workshop on the Growth Management Act. . Becky J. Upton City Clerk Distribution: City Manager Council Members Planning Commission Members Growth Management Advisory Committee Department Heads Public Information Officer Peninsula Daily News KONP Radio KAPY Radio Northland Cable .' Front Lobby (Post) 7" . . . CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING: ROLL CALL: Proposed Closure of Salmon Fishing CITYCO~C~S~CMLMEETmG Port Angeles, Washington March 29, 1994 Mayor Sargent caUed the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council. Planning Commission, and Growth Management Advisory Committee to order at 6:02 p.m. Members Presem: Mayor Sargent. Councilmembers Braun, Doyle, Hulett, McKeown [arrived at 8:25 p.m.]. Ostrowski. and Schueler. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Attorney Knutson. Clerk Upton, B. Collins, L. Glenn. B. Becker, D. Sawyer, and T. Smith. Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioners Alexander (also GMAC). Campbell. German, Nutter, Philpott, and Souders (also GMAC). Growth Management Advisory Committee Members Present: J. Pope and K. Schermer. Public Present: L. Steers, D. Schanfald, T. McKeown, F. Burch, L. Leonard, S. Feiro, C. Muir, A. R. Horrocks, G. Doyle. and D. Noonan. In that certain individuals were present to hear the portion of the meeting relating to two letters under consideration, Mayor Sargent suggested that agenda Items 3 and 4 be moved up on the agenda. Proposed Closure of Salmon Fishing in Strait of Juan de Fuca Mayor Sargent expressed concern with the proposed closure of salmon fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, particularly since such a closure, if approved, would occur on an immediate basis. A letter was prepared for signature by the Council members asking that a complete ban not be instituted. The author of the letter, Project Manager Tim Smith, explained that he had contacted various people in the community and had made every effort to establish a middle ground on this issue, one which could be supported by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council. He felt it essential to inform the State of the economic impact which would be thrust on this community with such a closure, especially in light of the fact that the industry has had no time to prepare for such an occurrence. Project Manager Smith indicated the Port of Port Angeles is considering similar correspondence to the Fisheries Management Council. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council will be conducting hearings on this issue Thursday and Friday of this week, and the matter is set for final determination next week in San Francisco. Within the context of the Port Angeles letter, the request is - 1 - 7 . . . , , CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 29, 1994 Proposed Closure of Salmon Fishing (Cont'd) Clallam Bay Prison Site Growth Management Act and Comprehensive Plan made that the letter be read into the official record of the proceedings on the issue. Councilman Braun suggested that a copy of the letter be sent to the Secretary of Interior, and after limited discussion, Councilman Braun moved to sign and send the letter to the Pacific Fisheries Management Council as written. The motion was seconded by Councilman Doyle and carried unanimously. Clallam Bay Prison Site Mayor Sargent reviewed the. proposed letter of support to be forwarded to the Department of Corrections with respect to Clallam Bay's interest in having a proposed 1,960 bed prison located in the Clallam Bay area. She noted that the Economic Development Council is also supporting such an endeavor. Councilman Schueler noted his exception to the letter, as he wasn't certain the City of Port Angeles had adequately pursued the siting of a prison facility in this immediate area. He indicated he didn't necessarily support another prison in Clallam Bay, as it may not be in anyone's interest. Councilman Ostrowski maintained his support of siting a prison where the crimes have been committed. Councilmen Doyle and Braun noted their support of the letter in view of the fact the City Council previously opted not to site a prison facility here. Councilman Doyle moved to sign the letter in support of siting a prison in Clallarn Bay. The motion was seconded by Councilman Braun and carried by a majority vote, with Councilmen Schueler and Ostrowski voting in opposition. Growth Management Ad and Comprehensive Plan Cindy Souders, a member of the Planning Commission and the Growth Management Advisory Committee, felt it was wise for this educational meeting to be held in order to provide an opportunity for all involved to learn more about the Growth Management Act. To that end, the GMAC invited Lucy Steers, President of 1000 Friends of Washington, to attend the meeting and provide insight on the intent of the Growth Management Act. Ms. Steers, by virtue of having been a member of the Governor's Growth Management Strategies Commission, participated early on in the formulation of the entire growth management process. Commissioner Souders indicated this meeting was being videotaped in order to have the tape made available to future members of the Council or Commission, the public, and any other party interested in obtaining an education on this matter. Ms. Steers provided a summary of the background of 1000 Friends of Washington. noting the membership is comprised of individuals from a variety of fields. The main focus is to not discourage growth but rather to encourage growth through a managed and well-planned process. The Friends are actively conducting public education and are trying to inform the public on how to get involved in the process. On occasion. they will selVe in an advocate role and try to facilitate growth in areas where people want growth to happen. Ms. Steers reviewed how the group is trying to maintain a balance of membership and views, as they attempt to gain credibility from the public's perspective. They are very supportive of regulatory reform, particularly in the area of speeding up pennitting processes. One of the principles is to see that growth happens where it is wanted and needed and can be supported with the necessary infrastructure. Discussion ensued as to the history of growth management in other states, the differences between Oregon and Washington in the growth management process, and whether Port Angeles was originally included in the legislation. Planning Director -2- '... ..... 1 . Growth Management Act and Comprehensive Plan (Cont'd) Break . . CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 29, 1994 Collins indicated 95 % of the State population is presently operating under the Growth Management Act. Discussion then involved the urban growth areas. Ms. Steers emphasized the need for cities and counties to work together in a cooperative spirit on planning policies. In addition, she noted the Comprehensive Plan will carry the force of law, which is why it is so important to involve the public in the formulation of the plan. She distributed a "Checklist of What to Look for in Your Community's Urban Growth Area Policies and Development Regulations". Ms. Steers addressed the matter of concurrency and felt it shouldn't be considered too difficult or too demanding. It should be a tool, and the standards should realistically not be set too high. Reasonable service levels should be established, and different service levels can be set for specific services. Phased levels can also be considered and adjusted whenever necessary. The issue of affordability was addressed, and Ms. Steers acknowledged this has been one of the biggest issues throughout. There must be every effort to strike a balance in order to maintain affordability. Discussion ensued about affordable housing, the definition of affordability, as well as the possibility of stifling the market because of over-regulation. Ms. Steers felt it advisable to build in as many incentives as possible. After discussion, Ms. Steers was thanked for the most infonnative presentation. Mayor Sargent recessed the meeting for a break at 7:25 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:31 p.m. Planning Director Collins, with the use of the overhead projector, identified the various requirements in the Growth Management Act, as well as associated deadlines. He reviewed in detail what is mandated by the Act versus what is authorized by the Act. Director Collins reviewed the fact that the Growth Management Advisory Committee has been extremely dedicated in its efforts by meeting every Wednesday morning for four years; he summarized the various public hearings conducted which were held to obtain citizen participation throughout this process. The Capital Finance Plan must be done on an annual basis; work will also be continued on the economic development portion of the Comprehensive Plan, which is an optional element. In support of a comment previously made by Ms. Steers, Director Collins fell that people who are in compliance with the Act should be encouraged and rewarded by a "quick" permitting process. Lengthy discussion ensued concerning the Urban Growth Area and how the boundaries were established. Also, consideration was given to how the City might participate in County land use decisions which may ultimately affect the City. Senior Planner Sawyer commented on the success of the committee in meeting deadlines and the fact that the committee had agreed not to sacrifice quality in order to meet the deadlines. There is still a great deal of work to be done, particularly in view of the regulations which must be written. In response to a suggestion from Commissioner Philpott. Planner Sawyer reviewed the history of discussions and ultimate recommendation concerning school concurrency. Planner Sawyer reviewed the other services which fall under concurrency and noted the Planning Commission felt the matter of school concurrency deserved further study and consideration. It has been recommended that a task force be appointed on this particular issue. It was pointed out that, during the public hearing process, input on school concurrency was only received from either - 3 - " " <1"a ,,', f . . . CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 29, 1994 Growth Management Act and Comprehensive Plan (Cont'd) ADJOURNMENT: developers or school administrators. It was duly noted that many would gain by obtaining further information about school concurrency, what it is, and how it could ultimately impact the community and/or developers. Lengthy discussion fonowed, and Mayor Sargent suggested the City submit the Draft Comprehensive Plan to the State at this time, keeping in mind that the City Council could conduct additional hearings on this matter in the interim. Councilman Schueler moved that the Council direct staff to send the Draft Comprehensive Plan to the State for review to include a statement of policy options on school concurrency and a Highway 101 by-pass. Councilman Hulett seconded the motion. Councilman Doyle pointed out specific references in the Comprehensive Plan to school concurrency; he felt it important that they be eliminated prior to the time the plan is submitted to the State. Director Collins explained that these are very broad statements from the GMA, the County-wide Planning Policy, and the 1976 City Comprehensive Plan and are intended to serve as setting standards as opposed to establishing a requirement for school concurrency. There was support expressed for the formation of a task force in this regard, as well as holding additional public hearings in order to seek further public input. Attorney Knutson cited the State Subdivision Act and noted that when the City Council considers long plats, the City must assure there are adequate provisions for certain services, including schools. In dealing with subdivisions, having this level of service standard for schools in the new Comprehensive Plan could have a substantive affect. Discussion followed, and a vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. Director Collins offered to prepare a draft transmittal letter for review by the Councilmembers and subsequent signature by the Mayor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Clerk Mayor - 4 -