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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/23/1992 . . . AGENDA PORT ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street Port Angeles, W A 98362 SEPTEMBER 23, 1992 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER ll. ROLL CALL m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of September 9, 1992 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. ZONING CODE AMENDMENT - ZCA 92(08)03 - Residential Medium Density District: Continuation of discussion to create a new zoning district establishing a Residential Medium Density (RMD) District. (fhis item was continued from September 9, 1992.) V. PLANNING STUDIES: 1. Proposed Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Policy Change VI. COMMUNICA TIONS FROM mE PUBLIC YD. STAFF REPORTS VID. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS IX. ADJOURNMENT All correspondence pertaining to a hearing item received by the Planning Department at least one day prior to the scheduled hearing will be provided to Commission members before the hearing. Planning Commission: Cindy Souders, Chair; William AlIllbel, Vice-Chair; Ray Gruver; Roger Cans; !.any Leonard; Bob Philpon; Bob Winters. Planning Staff: Bred Collins, Planning Director; Sue Roberds, Planning Office Specia1i5tj lohn limerson, Associate Planner; David Sawyer, Senior Planner. . . . Planning Commission Agenda Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE: Spokesmen for the proponents and opponents will be given an opportunity to speak to the request. Information submitted should be factual, relevant and not merely duplication of a previous presentation. A reasonable time (10 minutes) shall be allowed the spokesman; others shall be limited to short supporting remarks (5 minutes). Other interested parties will be allowed to comment briefly (5 minutes each) or make inquiries. The Chairman may allow additional public testimony if the issue warrants it. Brief rebuttal (5 minutes) for proponents and opponents heard separately and consecutively with presentation limited to their spokesman. Rebuttal shall be limited to factual statements pertaining to previous testimony. Comments should be directed to the Planning Commission, not the City Staff representatives present, unless directed to do so by the Chairman. All correspondence penaining to a hearing item received by the Planning Depamnent at least one day prior to the scheduled hearing will be provided to Commission members before the hearing. Planning Commission: Cindy Souders. Chair; William Anabel, Vice-Chair; Ray Gruver; Roger Calis; Larry Leonard; Bob Philpott; Bob Winters. Planning Staff: Brad Collins, Planning Direc.or; Sue Roberds, Planning Office Specialist; John Jimerson, Associate Planner; David Sawyer, Senior Planner. . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington September 23, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Souders called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Philpott, Bill Anabel, Bob Winters, Larry Leonard and Cindy Souders Members Excused: Ray Gruver, Roger Catts Staff Present: Brad Collins, John Jimerson, Ken Ridout APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Anabel moved to approve the minutes of the September 9, 1992, meeting, with the following changes: On page two, Commissioner Gruver made the motion; on page four, Chandra Houston said she is the owner of the LaCasita Restaurant; on page four Commissioner Philpott moved to approve the Zoning Code Amendment as recommended by the Plannine Department and on page five, Commissioner Gruver moved to approve vacation of the 5/6 alley right-of-way below the toe of the ravine slope. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters and passed 5-0. Chairwoman Souders announced the order of the agenda items will be reversed. PLANNING STUDIES 1. Proposed Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Policy Change Brad Collins presented a brief report. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the Port Angeles Downtown Association (P ADA) the opportunity to present a proposal for revising the Parking Ordinance. About a year ago the City became aware that there are some inherent problems with the PBIA and that the number of parking spaces Downtown are fewer than the number of spaces required for existing Downtown businesses and facilities. The Downtown Association has been working on a solution for about a year. Jerry Cornell, representing the Downtown Association, stated they do not have a specific proposal to present at this time. Rather, he would like to explain the general direction they intend to proceed with. If the Planning Commission disagrees with the approach, the Downtown Association would like to know before investing time and effort in developing a refined solution. PLANNING COMMISSION ~:pt:mber 23. 1992 . About a year and half ago, the P ADA inventoried parking and land uses in the Downtown and found that existing parking, including on-street parking and independent parking lots, would provide about 50% of the required parking spaces for Downtown. If you count only on-site parking, the Downtown only provides about 33% of the required parking. The PADA explored ways to meet the Code requirements and concluded that a parking garage would need to be constructed but such a solution is prohibitively expensive. They also reviewed the Urban Land Institute's model parking code which requires less parking. Under that code, Downtown would still not have enough parking. The PADA then began to evaluate how much parking Downtown actually needs. The usage of parking spaces was surveyed and it was determined that even during peak periods, no more than two-thirds of the spaces are occupied at anyone time. Even though Downtown doesn't meet Code requirements, the existing parking is adequate. The preferred approach of the Downtown Association is to create different requirements for businesses located within a Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) and to look at ways to more efficiently use existing parking areas (angled parking, for example). They would like a Planning Commissioner to be involved in their review. Commissioner Leonard stated he would like to revise the Parking Ordinance for the entire City, not just the Downtown's. . Kevin Thompson, responded the PADA does not have the time and/or resources to evaluate and/or prepare a new parking ordinance for the entire City. Commissioner Winters asked what the origin of the existing standards is. Brad Collins explained the standards were developed probably during the 1950's and 1960's. Through longevity and uniformity, they have become accepted standards throughout the country. He did not know the specific rationale in determining the standards. Any variations made by the City from accepted standards should be based upon rational and scientific grounds. Dick McClain, said the Downtown is not comparable with other commercial areas. There is a much greater concentration of businesses Downtown than, say, Lincoln Street. Many communities have tried a variety of approaches for parking regulation. The Downtown Association would like to explore those possibilities. Kevin Thompson, noted that Astoria, Oregon's, parking ordinance is much more detailed with respect to requirements for retail uses. Not all retail facilities are the same. Automobile dealers and furniture stores for example, require large storage areas which don't contribute to the need for parking and therefore should not have to provide as much parking. Commissioner Leonard volunteered to represent the Planning Commission in working with the PADA on this review. The consensus of the Planning Commission was that the approach is reasonable, but the Planning . Commission may take a city-wide perspective in their review. PLANNING COMMISSION S~p.tem~r 23,J992_~ . PUBLIC HEARINGS . . ZONING CODE AMENDMENT - ZCA 92(08)03 - Residential Medium Density District: Continuation of discussion to create a new zoning district establishing a Residential Medium Density (RMD) District. John Jimerson reviewed the changes made to the draft ordinance since the previous Planning Commission review. The primary issues discussed by the Planning Commission centered around design standards requiring screening of storage and parking areas. Chairwoman Souders noted the public hearing had been continued and seeing that there was no one to speak on the proposal, closed the public hearing. The Planning Commission discussed the requirement for screening of storage areas. In response to the discussion, Brad Collins said that items kept and used outside, such as barbecues, stacked fire wood and lawn furniture are not stored items. Inoperable vehicles and junk not being used are examples of stored items. Commissioner Leonard moved to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council to adopt the Code Amendment renaming the RMF zone to the RHD (Residential High Density) zone and to create a new RMD (Residential Medium Density) zone. The motion was made with the condition that the word "designated" be added to Section 17.14.070(A). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anabel and passed 5-0. COMMUNICA nONS FROM THE PUBLIC None. STAPP REPORTS None. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Anabel asked for an update on the taxi service at 7th and Race Street. John Jimerson responded the City Attorney was reviewing the issue and is expected to draft a letter to the owner of the business soon. Commissioner Leonard explained a situation where an associate of his was required to apply for a variance in order to put a garage door on a structure that encroached into the setback. Because the change did not result in moving the structure closer to the property line, Commissioner Leonard believes a variance is not necessary, as the degree of non-conformity is not increased. Brad Collins responded that he agreed the impact and physical expansion is minor, but it is in the setback area. The City Attorney forwarded information to the Planning Department and Board of Adjustment on non-conforming structures recently. Washington State case law suggests that restrictive interpretations of zoning codes should be made with respect to non-conforming structures. The intent is to eliminate non-conforming structures. If the City does not want to . . . PLANNING COMMISSION September 23, 19~~ ~ ----. - ------------ . -- . eliminate non-conformities, they should not have standards which make them non-conforming. Those property owners who have non-conforming structures enjoy a special privilege not available to other property owners. ADJOURNMENT There being no additional business, the Planning Commission adjourned at 9: i5 P.M. Brad Collins, Planning Director ~n~ S uders: Chair Prepared by: John Jimerson . PLEASE SIGN IN CITY OF PORT ANGELES Attendance Roster Type of Meeting Planninf Commission Date Location 321 E. 5th Street - City Hall ~, ~"F ~::' · : ~tt€(L ~ 113f~. ItJZ7 . .) ~/:5G O~ rJ1f:2t15 1 so (1.Q~ \ ~Of.- 10 2.0 I I).. j /0 1---1 / jo;;L6./ o1f/~' /o(?o rO-!I~~-R__ ) fJ.a_. / ~~~2 ~~'~., :~~ ~ ~~ I 0 ~ P:> C'=J ro.....-n t . PLEASE SIGN IN CITY OF PORT ANGELES Attendance Roster ~~: of Mee~ :J:t~g /CO/y~~..2. Location 32LE. 5th Street - City Hall Name ~ . .fL ~ I ~ 4~ ,'- t- .p ,. 1/ f ~vLQ.. v I/Id-.. c; V o.i! /I ,j'</L . . . P A-. '~ . PLEASE SIGN IN CITY OF PORT ANGELES Attendance Roster Type of Meeting Planning Commission Date Location 321 E. 5th Street - City HaU Harne. ~ 4t~2 V , . " . 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