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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/22/2004 o ~ ~ ~ . pORTANGE,LES WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street September 22, 2004 6 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROV AL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting of September 8, 2004 IV. WORK SESSION: Continue discussions on proposed code amendments. V PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Municipal Code Amendment - MCA 04-02 City wide. AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE PORT ANGELES MUNICIPAL CODE in compliance with the State mandated Growth Management Act (GMA) update of development regulations. Amendments to Chapters 15.20 (Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protection), 15.24 (Wetlands Protection), 15.28 (Clearing, Grading, Filling, and Drainage), and Chapter 16.08 (Long Subdivision). A new Chapter 3.71, introducing impact fees for the development of parks in the City. A general update of Title 17 (Zoning) to revise residential densities, add new definitions, nonconfonning structures, Planned Residential Development, unclassified uses, add a new RS-l1 Residential Single Family zone, a new CR Commercial Regional zone, a new PID Planned Industrial Development Overlay zone, and a new 1M Industrial Marine zone. V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT . PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Fred Hewins (ChDir),Len Rasmussen (Vice ChDir), Chuck Schrnmm, Fred NortOIl, Linda Nutter, Bob Philpott, Dylan Honnold PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Director; Scott Johns, Associate Planner; Sue Roberds, Assistant Planner. . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 September 22, 2004 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Philpott, Fred Hewins, Linda Nutter, Chuck Schramm, Leonard Rasmussen, Dylan Honnold Members Excused: Fred Norton Staff Present: Brad Collins, Scott Johns Public Present: Betty Booher, Paul Lamoureux, Tyler Ahlgren, Tim Woolett APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Nutter moved to approve the minutes ofthe September 8, 2004, meeting as presented. The motions was seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen and passed 6 ~ o. . WORK SESSION: . Review of pro Dosed development rel!ulations Citywide. Titles 15 (Environment), 16 (Subdivisions), 17 (Zoning) of the Port Angeles Municipal Code, and proposed new section adding park impact fees to Title 3. Chair Hewins opened the work session and asked staff to provide a brief overview of the updates made to the proposed code changes made since the September 8,2004, meeting. Associate Planner Johns provided that overview. Chair Hewins then stated that he would entertain a motion to move the public hearing portion of the meeting to precede the work session due to the members of the public in attendance. Commissioner Schramm stated that he would like the public hearing to remain open so that members oftbe public arriving late would have an opportunity to speak. It was pointed out that the public hearing would be continued to the October 13,2004, meeting and that any members of the public arriving later during the meeting would have an opportunity to speak at the continued meeting. Commissioner Nutter moved to continue the work session until after the public hearing. Commissioner Schramm suggested that the motion be stated so that latecomers would be assured of an opportunity to speak. Commissioner Nutter accepted the friendly amendment. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schramm and passed 6 - o. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Municipal Code Amendment - MCA 04-02 City wide. AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE PORT ANGELES MUNICIPAL CODE in compliance with the Planning Commission Minutes September 22, 2004 Page 2 . State mandated Growth Management Act (GMA) update of development regulations. Amendments to Chapters 15.20 (Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protection), 15.24 (Wetlands Protection), 15.28 (Clearing, Grading, Filling, and Drainage), and Chapter 16.08 (Long Subdivision). A new Chapter 3.71, introducing impact fees for the development of parks in the City. A general update of Title 17 (Zoning) to revise residential densities, add new definitions, nonconforming structures, Planned Residential Development, unclassified uses, add a new RS-] I Residential Single Family zone, a new CR Commercial Regional zone, a new PID Plarmed Industrial Development Overlay zone, and a new 1M Industrial Marine zone. Chair Hewins indicated that those who testify must sign the "Sign In" log and affirm that their testimony will be truthful to the best of their knowledge. . PaulLamoureux, 602 Whidbey, Port Angeles, WA stated that he had read the public announcement notice indicating that there would be discussion pertaining to the City's parks and development requirements. He stated that developments are for the profit of the developer but also benefitted the City, however, due to budget cutbacks the City is not in a position to develop or maintain more park lands. It is his feeling that a development should provide park land for its residents and that if the facilities are gifted to the City at a later date that should be acceptable to the City. It should not be the developer's responsibility to provide park facilities for those living outside of a development. Chair Hewins asked Mr. Lamoureux ifhe had thoughts on how many lots in a development should cause the creation of a park area within a subdivision. Mr. Lamoureux did not have a specific number of lots in mind. Tim Woolett, 703 E 8,h Street, Port Angeles WA stated that he agreed with most of Mr. Lamoureux's comments and stated that recreation facilities are a positive addition to neighborhood quality. Mr. W oolett recommended removing the section describing tree removal and pfWling from Chapter] 5.28 (Clearing, Grading, Filling, and Drainage) so that the developer would not be required to go through a permit process if the proposed work is not located in an environmentally sensitive area. The clearing of land outside of environmentally sensitive areas falls into the jurisdiction of Department of Natural Resource's Forest Practices Permitting. A second recommendation is to improve the definition of Landslide Hazard Area. He then passed out three documents on cottage housing and encouraged planning staff and the Plarming Commission to consider the inclusion of cottage housing techniques into the zoning code. Betty Booher, 1821 W. .fh Street, Port Angeles, W A expressed concern over the proposed removal of building materials stores from the zoning code, indicating that she occasionally needs building materials and that it would be an inconvenience to leave town to acquire them. Associate Planner Johns indicated that building material stores are only being removed from the Central Business District zone but not from any other zone. . Commissioner Philpott asked staff to expand on the concept of park development and maintenance. Director of Community Development Brad Collins indicated that the park impact fee being proposed would not be used for park maintenance, which comes from the operating budget. The City is challenged to maintain current parks with reduced funding. The City Council has attempted to . . . Planning Commission Minutes September 22, 2004 Page 3 define a neighborhood park for some time. The intent of the proposed code change is to provide options to developers and to level the responsibility of park development so that every lot developed would be assessed a similar amount rather than a large development providing park lands for only residents of the development while small developments would go without parks. Parks developed through this process would benefit all residents in an area equally. There being no further public comments, Commissioner Schramm moved to continue the public hearing to the October 13,2004, meeting. Commissioner Honnold seconded the motion which passed 6 - O. The Commission took a break at 7:05 pm. The meeting reconvened at 7:15 pm. and continued the work session on proposed changes to the Port Angeles Municipal Code. WORK SESSION: Review of proposed development regulations City wide. Titles 15 (Environment), 16 (Subdivisions), 17 (Zoning) of the Port Angeles Municipal Code, and proposed new section adding park impact fees to Title 3. Discussion began with Title 15 (Environmental Protection). Commissioner Nutter indicated that as an applicant she would want to have the pertinent definitions located in the section of the code that she is interested in. Therefore, she would prefer to keep a specific definitions section in each chapter of the code. Commissioner Schramm felt that there would be redundancy in the code if each chapter contained a separate definitions section and favored a universal definitions chapter with each chapter having a disclaimer or reference to the definitions chapter. Chair Hewins asked the Commissioners for a straw poll to get a feeling for a preference whether a new definitions chapter should be created or whether the definitions should be kept in each individual chapter as is currently done. The Commission was evenly split on the matter. Commissioner Schramm indicated that he is not sure that proposed language regarding tree pnming and the removal of the term "tree topping" is appropriate and that in some instances tree topping could be appropriate. Planner Scott Johns indicated that the intent is to eliminate the term "topping" from the code but not to limit the practice of reducing the size of a tree by the use of other pruning techniques. An extensive discussion followed. The subject of what a "Qualified Professional" is and how to define such a person generated another extensive discussion. The value of education versus experience was discussed. The discussion then moved to the proposed changes to the sign code and specifically to the increase in area by 50 square feet for signs located in the Community Shopping District zone. Commissioner Nutter expressed opposition to the proposal, stating that she felt that signs are visual pollution and should be kept as small as possible. Director Collins indicated that there are several businesses located in large buildings that are having difficulty meeting the needs of signage proportional to the size of the building while located in the CSD zone. These included Safeway and Albertsons. He indicated that the increase in sign size would bring the allowable signage into a midway size between the CA zone and the CN zone, creating "small, medium, and largetl zones relative to building size and allowable sign size. . Commissioner Nutter restated her position and added that businesses can generally be located . . . Planning Commission Minutes Seplember22,2004 Page 4 without increasing the size of signs. Commissioner Rasmussen stated that, by increasing allowable sign size, business owners would actually be negatively impacted because as one business increased its signage, each business would need to follow suit, thus costing additional money. Commissioner Philpott stated that he is pro business and that he supported the increase in sign area allowed, as it is an equal size between the allowed sign area ofthe CA and CN zones. Discussion of the proposed parks impact fees centered around the designation of the neighborhood park planning area designations that were presented and the proposed fee structure. Staff pointed out that the designations for the park planning neighborhoods had been developed with the Parks and Recreation Department and were based on logical boundaries of arterial streets and geographic features. The concept ofa neighborhood park is based on a minimum of two acres and located within a % mile service area. Commissioner Schramm expressed concern with the proposed impact fee schedule in that it does not address duplex units. With some multi-family developments, the lower fee would create a situation where more individuals would occupy an area and create more impacts on parks than single family development which is required to pay a higher fee for fewer impacts. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Tyler Ahlgren, 708 N. Bourchier, Port Angeles, WA, presented a conceptual plan for an alternative route for Highway 101. The route would include a tunnel beginning west of the Tumwater Truck Route traveling underground to a point south of Peninsula College and following the BP A power line right-of-way east to a point of intersection with Highway 101 near Bagley Road. The purpose of the alterative route would be to reduce truck traffic through the City, especially in the downtown area. STAFF REPORTS Director Collins indicated that the next Planning Commission agenda would include a public hearing for a street vacation as well as the continuation of the public hearing on the proposed code amendments. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Li~ Fred Hewins, Chair PREPARED BY: S. Johns ~ORTANGELES WAS H 1 N G TON, U. S. A. PLANNING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE ROSTER AND TESTIMONY SIGN-UP SHEET PLEASE SIGN IN Meeting ~genda of: 5z.~,e.., 22 )~ To help us provide an accurate record of those in attendance, please sign in. Your signature acknowledges your presence. If you plan to testify, by your signature below, you certify that the testimony given is true and correct under penalty of perjury by the laws of the State of Woshin ton. Si nature below DOES NOT REQUIRE you to testify. Agenda Item No. - 1'A ? . C: \MyFiles\Forms\Mtgrostpc. wpd