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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05/27/2009PORTANGELES W A S H I N G T O N U S A. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street May 27, 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 May 13, 2009 IV. WORK SESSION: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS to Chapters 11(Streets Sidewalks), 13 (Public Utilities), 15 (Environment), and 16 (Subdivisions) of the Port Angeles Municipal Code. Proposed amendments are intended to clarify existing information and provide guidance for streetscape improvements including improved non motorized accessibility, and adoption of regulations to ensure compliance with mandated storm water regulations. V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS John Matthews (Chair), Doc Reiss (Vice Chatr),Wemer Beier, Mike Caudill, Tini Boyle, Carla Sue, Nancy Powers PLANNING STAFF Nathan West, Director, Sue Roberds, Planning Manager; Scott Johns, Associate Planner ROLL CALL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 May 27, 2009 6:00 p.m. Members Present: John Matthews, Werner Beier, Mike Caudill, Doc Reiss, Tim Boyle, Nancy Powers, Carla Sue Members Excused. None Staff Present: Scott Johns, Sue Roberds, Nathan West, Steve Sperr Public Present: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Beier moved to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 13, 2009. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Matthews, and passed unanimously. WORK SESSION: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS to Chapters 11(Streets Sidewalks), 13 (Public Utilities), 15 (Environment), and 16 (Subdivisions) of the Port Angeles Municipal Code. Proposed amendments are intended to clarify existing information and provide guidance for streetscape improvements including improved non motorized accessibility, and adoption of regulations to ensure compliance with mandated storm water regulations. Associate Planner Scott Johns reviewed the information provided regarding proposed amendments to the Port Angeles Municipal Code (PAMC). City Community Economic Development and Public Works and Utilities staff have carefully reviewed sections of the PAMC and the City's Urban Services Standards and Guidelines (USSG) documents for compliance with new state mandates regarding stormwater for compliance with the City's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements, Additionally, amendments are proposed to implement low impact development standards that were approved including site coverage and streetscape development standards that have not as yet been incorporated into working documents. The main amendments are proposed to Section 13 63 PAMC relative to incorporation of the stormwater regulations. The City is required to operate under the new NPDES permit guidelines as of August 15, 2009, so it is important to finalize the amendments and prior to that time. Amendments to the City's USSG are proposed to implement the directives of the PAMC as a result of the proposed amendments to the PAMC. Commission members and staff discussed the draft amendments in unison. Several corrections and adjustments were recommended. Planning Commtssuen bdmutes bfav 27, 2009 Page 2 City Engineer Steve Sperr explained that the USSG manual is to define expected /required use and development of the City's rights of way and access to rights of way Planner Johns clarified that many of the standards being placed within the USSG come from actual practice that hasn't heretofore been included in a reference document. The information is intended to make clear development expectations for the common user Engineer Sperr commented that most regulations are site specific. A reasonable application of the standards is expected but the outcome must be per the intent of the PAMC as outlined in the USSG Commissioner Powers noted that references to "Director" and "Engineer" are a bit confusing within the USSG. She pointed out several instances that staff agreed to clarify in the final documents. Commissioner Caudill asked questions regarding grandfathering of existing commercial properties with regard to stormwater requirements. If a stormwater system does not exist, one will not be required for existing uses unless illicit runoff is known or observed. If an existing system is not functioning due to lack of maintenance, a mechanism will need to be implemented such that the private system malfunction is corrected. Engineer Sperr reiterated that the intent is to identify site specific requirements that make sense, not simply require fencing or some other stormwater deterrent that is prescribed in a manual. Commissioner Reiss asked if trees planted in rights of way are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner? Planner Johns answered that regulations currently contained within the PAMC place responsibility for trees and for the maintenance of adjacent rights of way as the responsibility of the adjacent property owner This fact is often unknown. Such responsibility is contained within urban services ordinances in at least 80% of municipal ordinances across the nation. The City does actively maintain trees that are hazardous to power lines. Several instances where wording was confusing were noted, and staff thanked Commissioners for their careful review of the voluminous information. Several areas were noted that need further clarification, and staff noted all comments and suggestions for continued review Staff will clean up the drafts and incorporate discussion items into the final document prior to forwarding to the City Council. The City Council will conduct its first public hearing on the information on June 2, 2009 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None STAFF REPORTS Director West noted that PA Harborworks has scheduled a public forum for June 9, 6 p.m. New Director Jeff Lincoln will be on hand to meet and greet the public. Planning Commission Minutes May 27, 2009 Page 3 REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Caudill noted that a large storage container has been located on a commercial property on Eighth Street. Planning Manager Roberds noted that staff is aware of the placement and has been in contact with the property owner Commissioner Reiss noted that the travel paths in the Downtown, particularly near Oak/Front Streets, are terribly rutted and wondered if now that the Gateway project has been completed, improvement would be made. Engineer Sperr noted that a temporary patch job will be done after Labor Day this year that will hopefully last for the next 5 years until a major re do of the area is planned. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. Sue Roberds, cretary PREPARED BY S. Roberds Michael "Doc" Reiss, Chair