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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05/27/1981 . PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington May 27, 1981 I CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brewer called the meeting to order at 7 P.M. II ROLL CALL Members Present: Jean Thompson, Colin Bennett, David Brewer, Patrick Downie, Milton E. Ranta Members Absent: Charles Whidden, Richard Anderson Staff Present: Paul D. Carr, Dan VanHemert, Louise F ros t III APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Bennett moved to approve the minutes of the May 13th meeting as submitted. Mr. Ranta seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. . IV HEARINGS PARKING VARIANCE HEARING - GREEN. Request for a parking variance to reduce the required spaces for a day-care center from 10 to 6. Location: 408 East Second Street. (Continued from May 13, 1981.) Mr. VanHemert reviewed the supplemental information provided by the City on the parking variance. Chairman Brewer opened the public hearing. Ms. Green reiterated that a day-care center is different from other types of businesses. The owner of the property is not in favor of installing a paved parking area and has said that should the day-care center cease operation, he will not lease the property to another commercial enterprise. Ms. Green said there would not be 18 individual parents driving, be- cause many of the children will be from the same family. The parking lot is not needed, but there is a strong need for the service proposed, and the business will not create a parking or traffic problem. She cannot afford the cost to improve the required parking area. . Betty Warder stated that parking is not needed for day-care centers, only a "loading zone". She suggested that the Park- ing Ordinance be re-written. There is on-street parking available at this location. Planning Commission May 27, 1981 Page 2 . Several additional members of the audience spoke in favor of the proposed day-care center and requested that no off- street parking be required. Chairman Brewer closed the public hearing. Mr. Bennett observed that the Planning Commission can only recommend a reduction in the number of required parking spaces. The Public Works Department is responsible for ad- ministering the improvement :of off-street parking spaces. Mr. Downie moved to recommend approval of a reduction in re- quired off-street parking spaces from 10 to 4 for the day- care center, subject to Public Works Department approval of the layout and improvements. Mr. Ranta seconded this motion. During discussion, Ms. Green asked if it would be possible to waive the off-street parking requirement completelYi and was told that a waiver was not before the Commission, only a request for reduction. Mr. Bennett observed that while a day-care center may not need much parking, they do require some. On call for the question, the motion passed unanimously. . SIGN ORDINANCE HEARING. Request to consider a pro- posed Sign Ordinance for the Central Business Dis- trict (Downtown Port Angeles). Location: Port Angeles Central Business District - the CBD Zone in Ordinance No. 1709. (Continued from April 22, 1981.) Mr. Carr reviewed the changes made in the proposed Ordinance as a result of the April 22nd meeting. He also distributed a copy of a memorandum regarding a telephone call received by the Department. Following some discussion on public ser- vice signs and readerboards, Chairman Brewer opened the pub- lic hearing. Ruth Dickinson, Rollf's Restaurant, voiced her opposition, suggesting that if the Downtown has to abide by such stan- dards, the entire City should also. Mr. Miller, of Chinook Cafe, agreed. George Mattsen, Aircrest Motel, stated that the sign ordinance is unconstitutional, a taking of property without due process, and controls freedom of speech. . Mr. Carr explained that the proposed Ordinance is for the Central Business District area only. If there is ever a sign ordinance covering the entire City, it will be different for the various sections of town. Jean Fairchild provided back- ground information on the original request for a Downtown Sign Ordinance. Margo Hansen suggested sending notification of these hearings Planning Commission May 27, 1981 Page 3 . to all Downtown businesses, not just those who are members of the Downtown Merchants' Association. Dick McLean com- mented that the original goal was to make the Downtown better-looking. Some businesses have already removed signs which would be prohibited under the proposed Ordinance. Don Walls of the Elks Club, is opposed to sign regulations; and asked if the new readerboard at the Elks would be al- lowed. Mr. Carr replied that it would have to be flush against the face of the building. George Cortez said that a Sign Ordinance is necessary. People do walk in the Downtown. Jerry Cornell said that aiming signs to pedestrians is finej however, the area west of Oak Street has few pedestrian-oriented businesses. Many busi- nesses do require visibility from the street. Ed Thompson, Port Angeles Auto Supply, said if signs are made smaller they cannot be seen. The Downtown improvements have already eliminated many parking spaces. Arlen Bryant, whose up- holstery shop is west of Oak Street, said his business is not pedestrian-oriented. The Downtown Sign Ordinance should stop at Oak Street. . Mr. Ranta suggested that Downtown businesses could put up at- tractive signs without a formal Ordinance. Mr. Downie re- sponded that standards have to be set within an Ordinance. Mr. Carr suggested that the Sign Ordinance could be amended to include the entire Downtown L.I.D. area, rather than just the Central Business District. The manager of Goldie's Restaurant said that the tourists need the signs. Jean Fairchild said that even though the Haguewood's Restaurant and Red Lion Inn signs are the lar- gest in the City, many tourists come into her shop and ask where these businesses are located. Mike Phillips said that 70% of the Downtown businessmen voted for the improvements and signs are a part of an overall improvement effort. City Manager Dave Flodstrom said that everyone would like a sign that suits his business. Unfortunately, there is no compatibility between neighboring businesses, and one sign often obstructs another. . Dick MeLean suggested installing signs at the street corners to identify the businesses in that block. Mr. Carr replied that the proposed Ordinance would not permit such signs, ex- cept on malls and arcades. Mr. Bennett suggested that a map of the Downtown businesses could be placed on a kiosk which , . would be permitted. The Commission agreed. Chairman Brewer closed the public hearing. . Mr. Downie observed that many of the signs which would be pro- hibited under the proposed Ordinance could be altered to bring them into compliance with a minimal expenditure of money. . . . Planning Commission May 27, 1981 Page 4 Mr. Bennett moved to recommend adoption of the proposed Sign Ordinance, subject to adding to Section .090.1.b the phrase nor made to conform" between the "'Tords "removed" and "wi thin" . Mr. Downie seconded this motion. On call for the question, the motion passed 4 - 1, with Mr. Ranta voting "no", because he does not feel that all of the people affected by the Or- dinance fully understand it. [At the close of this hearing, at 9:10 P.M., a brief recess was taken. The meeting reconvened at 9:15 P.M.] V COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None. VI PLANNING STUDIES 1. Short Plat Ordinance Review Mr. Carr reviewed previous efforts. The Commission and City Staff discussed the time required to review and approve pre- liminary short plats and regular subdivisions; the amount of vacant residentially-zoned land subject to short platting; and the exemption of boundary-line adjustments from short plat requirements. Mr. Downie commented that the purpose of reviewing this Or- dinance was to establish standards. Uniform standards will reduce misunderstandings with the general public. Mr. Downie then moved to direct Staff to include a maximum time of 40 calendar days for preliminary review of short plats and 20 calendar days for the final short plat. Mr. Bennett seconded this motion, which passed unanimously. The Commission then continued discussion of this topic to the next long-range Planning Commission meeting. 2. Downtown Parking Association Presentation City Manager Dave F1odstrom presented a detailed explanation of the Downtown Parking Association: Its inception in the mid-1940's, relationship to the Parking Ordinance, current status and future plans. There is a possibility of merging it with the Downtown Merchants' Association and the Down- town Development Group. . . . Planning Commission May 27, 1981 Page 5 VII ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Anderson was unanimously elected Chairman for the next year. Mrs. Thompson was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman for the next year. X ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M. C~~ Paul D. Carr, Secretary Chairman Tape Condition: Satisfactory LF:DVH:FDC:LF _~__~~.._._~_.___..__.--- ---~-------.-.-..--------- -,................---.----........-. __._____________r_~_____._____"_._> ~- .-.... ~----~.- -.. r I C I T Y 0 F . P 0 R T fl. j': C, r; J. E S f . PTTf:NDANCr: ROSTE!( Type of t.'leeting:~h~= - Ob}\.\-2l1.l.~SI~_ Date: Location: / JL/ W~J j- #Y8)f f S''fve~Y- I , , I ! 6 -;(7- ~-1_~ I if If. ~ 4~J)AJ;//M~ l? f). ;itA 1 0, y;{ ~dv giG . 7E:};f;f:f!;z ,J I .- i '" 1 . I I I J , I i J " I ] I " , {lOLl- ~lt~ 71~ ~~ JJh '~Q/~crr t?~ It Ie I I 1 . ~, 'I , _____1 I I