Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/13/1996 . . . HEARING DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE NEEDING ASSISTANCE. AGENDA CITY OF PORT ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street Port Angeles, W A 98362 November 13, 1996 7:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 23, 1996 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. CONSIDERATION OF A CITY-WIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (Continued from October 23, 1996.) 2. STREET V ACATION PETITIO~STY9.1i(O.6)-=.MARKLEY, Portion ofEumc.e Street nortaof.EarkAytmue.: (Continued from October 9, 1996.) V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSION, Bob King, (Chair), Tim Gennan (Vice). Cindy Souders. BobPhilpott, Linda Nutter. Dean Reed. Mary Craver. STAFF: Brad Collins. Director, Sue Roberds Office Specialist, David Sawyer. Senior Planner. . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 November 13, 1996 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Linda Nutter, Bob Philpott, Cindy Souders, Bob King, Dean Reed, Mary Craver, Tim German Members Absent: None Staff Present: David Sawyer, Sue Roberds, Dan McKeen, Gary Kenworthy, Jim Mahlum Public Present: Julie Bondy, Diane and Paul Markley, Suzanne Napiontek, John and Janet Lauridsen, Karen Danielson, Kathy Thomas, Paul Lamoreaux, Sue Taylor, Joe Tshimperle, Sarah Matthews APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Philpott moved to approve the October 23,1996, minutes noting a minor typographical error on page 9. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Craver and passed 3 - 0, with Commissioners Nutter, Reed, and German abstaining (Commissioner Souders did not vote as she had Dot had an opportunity to previously review th e min utes). PUBLIC HEARINGS: CONTINUED CONSIDER A TION OF A CITY-WIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ((.Qotinued from..Qctob_er 23, 1996)A Senior Planner David Sawyer indicated that since the October 23, 1996, meeting, an addendum to the Transportation Services and Facilities Plan (TSFP) Executive Summary was prepared and distributed to the Commissioners. The addendum includes information regarding projected costs for a proposed crosstown route, corrections to street classification designations, and updated information on speed limits. He noted that the previous Determination of Non Significance (DNS) prepared for the TSFP did not cover all of the projects proposed in the plan and so was amended to a Mitigated Determination of Non Significance (MDNS) on November 12, 1996, that requires environmental impact statements (ElS) to be prepared prior to either the alternate crosstown route across White's Creek or a Heart Of The Hills Parkway project. Planning Commission Minutes - November 13. 1996 Page 2 . Chair King reopened the continued public hearing. Commissioners Nutter, Reed, and German noted for the record that they had listened to the audio tapes of the October 23, 1996, public hearings so that they could participate in the continued hearing. Gary Kenworthy, City Engineer, was present for questions and reviewed the material presented for the October 23, 1996, meeting. He responded to individual questions from the Commissioners regarding a second alternate crosstown route across White's Creek and noted that the project is scheduled for work in 1999 pending funding. Such a project is a huge undertaking but could be broken down into several phases. The first stage of such a project might be to do improvements from Lincoln Street to Race Street. A bridge widening across Peabody Creek at Lauridsen Boulevard could be in that first phase. The project is a big ticket item and may be unfundable in the time period proposed. Mr. Kenworthy responded to Commissioner Souders that school sidewalk/sidewalk improvement projects are included in the City's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) but are not in the TSFP document. . Mr. German asked if any of the scenarios proposed include Lauridsen Boulevard improvements to Race Street without a White's Creek crossing project. Mr. Kenworthy responded that phased project information is provided in the current addendum. Mr. German asked ifthe information provides traffic counts. Mr. Kenworthy answered that a segmented route east to Race Street would not have much effect on First and Front Streets but if the projections hold true, traffic west of First /Front Streets would be reduced by approximately thirty percent. A White's Creek crossing at Golf Course Road is expected to reduce traffic on First and Front Streets by thirty to thirty-five percent. Jim Mahlum, City Office Engineering Specialist, noted that traffic consultants considered a partial route culminating at Race Street and concluded that there would not be a significant change to FirstJFront Streets but would only result in removing truck traffic from the Downtown area. In responding to Commissioner Nutter, Mr. Kenworthy noted that sufficient right-of-way exists on Lauridsen Boulevard east of White's Creek to accommodate a second crosstown route. Lauridsen Boulevard was constructed and projected for boulevard widths due to the planning for an alternate crossing for some twenty years. Commissioner Nutter expressed concern that the congestion currently experienced at the intersection of First Street/Golf Course Road could potentially increase by thirty to thirty- five percent as a result ofa second crossing of White's Creek to Golf Course Road,which would result in a major bottleneck and impediment to east bound traffic. . Mr. Kenworthy agreed that there are problems with proposing a secondary traffic route across White's Creek. Any new route is not going to be an easy task. Many impediments exist and no route will be popular with all people but an alternate crosstown route has been on the drawing board for twenty years and is a undeniable need. Whether such a project is fundable remains to be seen. A full blown EIS will be required and such a proposal will bring heated public meetings and discussions. An interim secondary route is a more do-able project. Planning Commission Minutes - November 13, /996 Page 3 . Commissioner Craver had concerns about the projected expenses. Inflation is not figured into the projected expenses. Kathe Smith, 607 East Fourth Street, who represented the local bicycle group and who also serves as a representative to the City's bicycle/pedestrian committee, is the Executive Director of the Peninsula Trails Coalition and chairs the non motorized subcommittee for the Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning organization, discussed areas of concern with the draft document and suggested amendments that would make the TSFP a document that more adequately addresses non motorized transportation opportunities in the City. Members of the local bike club are vitally interested in transportation issues. Ms. Smith offered to provide a presentation for the Planning Commission and Council to explain the Olympic Discovery Trail that depends on the Milwaukee Drive corridor as a vital link to the west. The local bicycle club offers its assistance and labor in street marking and to suggest and assist in methods to make bicycling and non motorized transportation safer in our community. She closed by stressing that the Milwaukee Drive corridor must be designated and recognized as a major link to the City's western limits (currently Lower Elwha Road) immediately, before a "not in my back yard" attitude can begin due to residents and property owners in the area not realizing that the use is a reality. . Ms. Smith noted that the consultant hired by the City, ENTRANCO, has a recognized expert on non motorized transportation design on staff who has done some fantastic work and hoped he would be able to assist in review of the TSFP. Darrel Schaefer, u.S. C. G., who is stationed here in Port Angeles, commended Ms. Smith on her presentation ofthe local bicycle group's concerns. He doesn't own a car and he and his wife use bicycles as their chosen form of transportation. He asked that the City consider Ms. Smith's specified areas of concern with the TSFP to make non motorized transportation safer in Port Angeles. Sue Taylor, 120 East Front Street, volunteered the local bicycle group to assist the City in its efforts to provide safe non motorized facilities for its citizens and visitors. Port Angeles is a very dangerous place for non motorized transportation. Gary Kenworthy noted that the TSFP would be used as a reference tool and would be adopted in accordance with the City's Comprehensive Plan to guide development within the City. He recommended incorporating the amendments suggested by Ms. Smith into the City's non motorized document which is a more detailed document than the TSFP is intended to be. The TSFP is more of a broad study where the document that the City's Non Motorized Advisory Committee (NMAC) is working on will be specifically detailed and would then supercede previous reference documents, such as the TSFP. There being no further comment, Chair King closed the public hearing. . Commissioner Nutter stated that the City should work at meeting accepted bicycle friendly transportation and community standards. She was pleased on the whole with the draft plan but noted that there-a:re deficiencies exist in dealing with bicycle/pedestrian routes and safety Planning Commission Minutes - November 13, J 996 Page 4 . The intersection at Golf Course Road and First Street is the worst obstacle to the flow of east bound traffic. The proposed second crossing of White's Creek carries a projected price tag of$5,000,000, and upon completion, the bottleneck at Golf Course Road/First Street would continue to restrict an orderly flow of traffic east of Golf Course Road. She expressed concerns that $5,000,000 should not be spent for such a proposal or even considered given the end results. A vote of approval of the TSFP that contains a recommendation for a second crossing of the creek would be a vote for such a project that would only funnel traffic down Golf Course Road to then be bottlenecked at the interection with First Street/Highway 101. Commissioner German stated that it doesn't appear to be good management of the City's monies to agree and plan for a second crossing of White's Creek at this time, but suggested that the twenty year TSFP could be amended to include improvements proposed to the Lauridsen Boulevard right-of-way west of White's Creek at this time, and that a crossing of the creek could occur in phases. To approve a project with a price tag of approximately $5,000,000 that would result in an even tighter bottleneck at First Street/Highway 101 doesn't seem to be a good plan. . Gary Kenworthy noted that proposals included in the TSFP are intended to be and are considered to be, achievable. There are many combinations of the proposals that would also result in major improvements to existing facilities. The TSFP could be adopted as an interim document and amended following further individual committee and public review. A second White's Creek crossing could be proposed in phases with a recommendation to only complete the first phase within the proposed twenty year timeline. Commissioner Nutter moved to recommend that an addendum be drafted by staff and presented to the Commission for review at the November 20, 1996, meeting, that would include the comments/amendments proposed by Ms. Smith during the public hearing and a phasing of the proposed secondary White's Creek crossing proposal. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Philpott and passed unanimously. The Commission took a break at 9:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m. STREET V ACATIO.N..eETITIO.N~IY.9_6{ft6) - MARKl,EY,.E..ortion ofEunice Street north of Park Avenue; (Continued from October 9, 1996.) Senior Planner David Sawyer reviewed the Planning Department's staff report and offered to answer questions. Chair King opened the public hearing. . Julie Bondy, 1421 Cherry Street, representing the applicant, noted that the topography of the site is severe with a steady drop south to north. Access to the south portion of the property is from a spur road that veers off of Park Street to serve five homes in this location. Access to the north of the site is by way of the Eunice Street right-of-way that is unimproved in this location. The steep terrain of the right-of-way at this location prohibits vehicular access to the property and to the right-of-way from the south. The Eunice Street right-of- way ends abruptly at the south edge of the property becoming a bank topped by a guardrail some distance above normal grade. She presented color photographs of the area. Planning Commission Minutes - November 13, 1996 Page 5 . The applicant has been plagued by inconsiderate and embarrassing usage of a stailWay access from Park Street to the Wlimproved right~of-way. The access is located on her property but is used by teenagers and residents mainly of the Housing Authority project located east of the right-of-way. Unattended children continually play on a dirt ramp located east of the guardrail that is located at the terminus of the right-of-way with Park Street which is a very dangerous situation given the traffic on Park Street. An abandoned vehicle has been in the right-of-way for at least two months, but despite several reports of its existence, it remains. Acquisition of the right-of-way would allow Mrs. Markley the right to police the area where at present, as the right-of-way is public, inappropriate activities may continue. The applicant proposes no barriers to the right-of-way that would impede access to either the fire hydrant or the City Light Department's facilities that exist in the right-of-way so there is no need for relocation of those utilities as is recommended by staff. Suzanne Napiontek, 633 East Park, is Mrs. Markley's daughter and resident of the subject property adjacent to the right-of-way. Access to the south of the residence off of Park Street is by way of a narrow spur drive. Access to the four houses to the west is blocked if she leaves her car there. Acquisition of the right-of-way would allow her to grade the roadway to the east of the horne, where another access to the home exists, in a more acceptable manner and ownership of the vacated right-of-way would allow her to ensure that some of the Wlacceptable and dangerous activities that are now occurring would cease, She detailed some of the behavior that occurs in the accessway by neighborhood teenagers and children. . Diane Markley, P.O. Box 2835, Port Angeles, stated that the request for vacation is out of a need to control the area activities and to be able to legally place "No Trespassing" signs on the property. Julie Bondy, noted that proposed regrading may cause the need for some bank support. The new administration at the Housing Authority, Pam Tietz in particular, has been very cooperative in trying to more appropriately handle disruptive activities that are occurring in the area. A new cyclone fence has been erected as a barrier and has greatly improved relations in the area Dan McKeen, Fire Marshall, responded to a question regarding the staffs proposed requirement that an additional fire hydrant be placed in the event the street right-of-way is vacated. The possibility exists with vacation that access to the fIre hydrant could be restricted which is not in the public welfare, interest, or safety, and would not be supported by the Fire Department. The Fire Chief inspected the site and will require a second hydrant to be placed north of the applicant's property in an area specified by the Fire Department at the applicant's expense in the event the right-of-way is vacated. The existing hydrant serves the applicant's property and areas to the north of Park Street. . Julie Bondy stated that it is in the public's interest to vacate the right-of-way as it would allow better control of the activities occurring in the area and there is an additional fIre hydrant on Park Avenue. Kathy Thomas, 225 Panorama Lane, informed the Commission that her grandfather donated the subject right-of-way with the intention that it would be to assure access south Planning Commission Minutes - November 13, 1996 Page 6 . on Eunice to Park Street. There is a large portion of the applicant's property that is undeveloped and could be used to enhance access to the residence as proposed by the applicant without the need for vacation ofthe right-of-way. She would not be as opposed to the vacation if only a portion of the right-of-way is vacated but is very opposed to vacation of the entire thirty foot width as requested. It is vital to the neighboring residents that they be allowed easy access to Park Street and the walking trails at the National Park Service. Vacation of the entire right-of-way as requested is not in the public's interest. Joe Tshimperle, 624 Vashon, a seventeen year resident, has observed all of the problems described by the proponents in the neighborhood and in other areas of the City. He contended that there is only twenty feet of right-of-way in this area, not thirty feet. He expressed concern regarding the public safety if the existing fire hydrant adjacent to the Markley residence is restricted to access in any way. A tragedy in past years in the area was the result of a problem with placement of a fire hydrant and should never be allowed to happen again. He opposed vacation of the right-of-way as requested and encouraged that if vacation is considered, twenty feet be retained as requested by the City's Light Department to access the public utilities at this location. Julie Bondy indicated that there is pedestrian access east of the subject property at Francis Street. It is in the best interests of the citizens of Port Angeles to vacate this right-of-way as requested. . Diane Markley asked that the vacation be granted as it would enable better access to the residence. There being no further discussion, Chair King closed the public hearing. Dan McKeen responded to Commissioner Reed that the Fire Department would not agree to a reduction of the access to the fire hydrant in the Eunice Street right-of-way to less than twenty feet at this location unless a second fire hydrant is located in the area as required in staff s report. Commissioner German sympathized with the applicant but felt that there are other methods to secure her property and access her property without vacating the right-of-way. He agreed with the need to maintain pedestrian access in this area and suggested that the applicant seek permission to regrade the right-of-way, and could fence the private property to avoid continued use by unauthorized persons. Commissioner Craver felt that given the description of activities occurring in the area at present, unattended children and loitering, that it would not be in the best interests of the City to maintain the right-of-way due to the liability. . Commissioner Souders responded to Commissioner Craver's concern that since the public has a right to use all rights-of-way in the City liability is not necessarily an issue specific to this request but is a fact City wide. For the good of the public, Commissioner Nutter moved to recommend denial of the street vacation as requested citing the following findings and conclusions: Ie . . Planning Commission Minutes - November 13. 1996 Page 7 Eindings; 1. The applicant is Diane Markley. The application/petition is attached as Attachment "A" ofthe November 13, 1996, Planning Department Staff Report for STY 96-06. 2. The request is for vacation of the west 30' of Eunice Street abutting tax parcel # 183 7 identified in Attachment "A" of the November 13, 1996, Planning Department Staff Report for STY 96-06. 3. The street vacation is categorically exempt from threshold determination and Environmental Impact Statement requirements per Section 197-11-800 (2) (h) of the Washington Administrative Code. 4. The subject right-of-way and adjacent properties are designated Low Density Residential by the City's Comprehensive Plan and are zoned RS-7. 5. There are electrical and water facilities located in the subject right-of-way. 6. The subject right-of-way provides pedestrian access to Park Avenue and the Olympic National Park and is heavily used for this purpose. 7. The Public Works, Fire, and City Light Department comments are included as Attachments "B", "C", and "0" of the November 13, 1996, Planning Department Staff Report for STY 96.06. 8. Two letters of comment were received by the Planning Department regarding this application and are included as Attachments "E" and "FH of the November 13, 1996, Planning Department Staff Report for STV 96-06. Both letters are in favor of maintaining public access to Park Avenue and the National Park. 9. The Comprehensive Plan Land Use Policies B.2 and B.3, Transportation Policies B.15 and B.18, and Conservation Policy B.3 as listed in the November 13, 1996, Planning Department Staff Report for STY 96-06 directly relate to the proposed vacation. Conclusions.: A. Vacation of the west 30' of Eunice Street abutting tax parcel #1837 is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's Transportation Policy B.15 and Conservation Policy B.3 due to the elimination of public pedestrian access to Park Avenue and the Olympic National Park which reduces the effectiveness of alternate modes of transportation in the area and eliminates a special feature of the neighborhood. B. The proposed vacation will result in the elimination of pedestrian access from the surrounding neighborhood to Park Avenue and the Olympic National Park. C. The proposed vacation would have an adverse impact on the public health, safety and welfare. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Souders and passed unanimously. i. . . Planning Commission Minutes - November 13, 1996 Page 8 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Joe Tshimperle addressed the Commission to thank them for their thoughtful and thorough consideration of the proposal and to thank staff for the information and time given in responding to questions. STAFF REPORTS Planner Sawyer infonned the Commissioners of the public hearings scheduled for the December 11 meeting. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Nutter reported that she has attended two meetings of the City's Non Motorized Advisory Committee and was impressed with the amount of knowledge gathered by the local bicycle group dealing with non motorized users and their needs. The bicycle group is very willing to participate in transportation planning efforts and has offered any services necessary to make Port Angeles a non motorized friendly City. Commissioner Philpott commented that the article circulated in the Planning Commission's packets from the Elanning_Commissioneu_luumal entitled" Commissioner and Staff: Expectations of Each Other". He thanked staff for the circulation. Commissioner Souders will not be present for the November 20 meeting. Commissioner Reed reported that he is a member of the City's Money Back GuaranteelPermit Processing Committee and noted that the group is very content and are quite protective of the City staff that are handling permits and in their ability to process permits in a timely manner. The group doesn't have any complaints and will be making a presentation to the Commission on November 20. ADJOURNMENT . umed at 11 :00 p.m. JZf!::lfr- PREPARED BY: S. Roberds . . . Comments on the Transportation Plan made by Kathe Smith at the November 13. 1996, public hearing: ~ i r:ln f? (;i) !' U J ' [., Attn: Gary Kenworthy II :-j r ..;" _ From: Kathe Smith ,UU / -' Re: review of my comments to the Planning Commission 11/lj/9J puu .;::-::::~. L PtAr-n;;I~:]'6~Pi~TfEt:T ~ a fg T2 r.; 1 [5-:1'")1' Priority points : ____ 0- Include in the Transponation Plan (pg 2-2 Non-Motorized Transponaiion Standards) what design guidelines wiD be followed in non-motorized facility planning: :\ASHTO Nann Carolina DOT Bicycle facilities Planning and Design Guidelines design standards to be selected by the non-motorized advisory corrunittee clear designation of the Milwaukee corridor from the Waterfront Trail to Lower Elwha Road as a bicycle-pedestrian corridor. include within the fbUowing references: PS. 5-17 Figure 3.6 Table 5.4 Table 5.11. high priority projecrs (cosr is SO.OO. this is a designation. not a construction proposal) pg. 3-34 Paragraph 1: add the Milwaukee Corridorto tigw-e 3.7 Use only defined terms in referring to bicycle facilities. change references to bicycle "way" or bicycle '1rai)" Text corrections (existing text is inaccurate) pg 3-:& and pg. 3-33. there are not continuous sidewalks on Maline Drive or Front Street pg.}-29: there is not a bicycle only lane as indicated in the last paragraph figure 5.5: there is no existing bicycle patMane between Cherry Street and the Boat Haven at Hegg & Hegg on the Waterfront Trail C onunent Table 5.8: .-\n accurate cost estimate for bicycle projects is im!X'nant. Projects R0-64 Rod RO-21 are not bicycle tacilities pro.iects. RO-64 is satisfYing the cit\" 5 street width requirement. but according to AASHTO standards there is already room in the e.xisting street width ( )8'-48') for a bicycle lane and the existing on-street parking. In project RO-: I. the proposal for added bicycle lanes on SR 101 is unnecessary. We worked extensively with WS. DOT the past two years to ensure WSDOT standard 4' shoulder in the reconstruction work that was done out ,here. There is already adequate bicycle facilitv in the project area with the exception ofundemeath the Pine Street bridge. Projects Ro-l aDd RL-3 do not redect COStS for bicycle facilities. RO-l is a pedestrian tacility, RL.} is a morar vehicle 60' ROW road complete with a 52' wide bridge. Th~ abov!: aJju.'>1ments ~iiminat!: $3 million from the bicycie i;iI...i!ilies plan cost estimate. i"d be imeresLro in review- ing the other Road Improvemem Project Sheers cited_ cc: L!nda ~uner. Brad Collins . PLEASE SIGN IN . CITY OF PORT ANGELES Planning Commi~~ion Attendance Roster Meeting Date: ~,("4..t-4 /}/99y . . .' 'AnDRFSS:.