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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12/10/2015 PORT ANGELES FORWARD COMMITTEE PITTIS MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM/Port Angeles, Washington December 10, 2015 Mission Statement: To create a strong,economically and culturally vibrant community that will enhance the lives of our citizens. CALL TO ORDER: Cherie Kidd opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present. Cherie Kidd, Mark Ohman, George Bergner, Sherry Curran, MarySue French, Kaj Ahlburg, Charlie Smith, Kevin Gallacci Members Absent: Patrick Downie, Jim Jones, Jim Hallett, Bill Greenwood, Larry Morris, Mellissa Williams, Wendy Clark-Getzen, Mike Edwards,Michael Peters Staff Present: Nathan West, Scott Johns Others Present: None Public Present: None Approval of Minutes The meeting minutes for October 8, 2015 were approved. Old Business Chair Kidd introduced the topic of the Waterfront Park development by mentioning the positive comments that have been received regarding the park. She then turned the meeting over to Community and Economic Development Director Nathan West. He noted that the landscaping has been completed, however the caution fencing was still in place so that the lawn could become established without damage. There are still two elements left to complete. Those are the wind spires and the dual language street signs. An additional video surveillance camera will be installed through the use of Port Security Grant funding. Kaj Ahlburg stated that the PABA had asked him to mention issues and concerns regarding the possible reduction in parking at the City Pier Park area that had been discussed previously. He mentioned that lack of parking and clear direction to parking had resulted in overflow parking impacting the Red Lion parking availability. A suggestion that improved signage indicating other nearby parking locations would be an improvement. A second concern regarding the future plan phase was the concept of a 'round-about' traffic circle at Lincoln and Railroad. There is a perception that there may not be adequate area to construct as planned. Other comments indicated that the intersection created a confusing situation for bicyclists and created conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. The discussion then expanded to other concerns associated with the downtown visitor experience. In addition to parking location and availability, the condition of pavement on Railroad Avenue was brought up. This conversation expanded into the condition of streets throughout the City. Mr. West indicated that the City intended to use the future development to the waterfront to make improvements to Railroad Ave., rather than having a separate paving project followed by the area redevelopment, thus duplicating work efforts. Other poor road conditions were also mentioned Port Angeles Forward Committee Meeting Minutes for October 8, 2015 and questions as to how to make concerns know was discussed. Street condition complaints should be taken to the City's Public Works and Utility Department. Mr. West further indicated that the public visioning process for the development was completed in 2010, and may be somewhat stale at this date. His suggestion was that the visioning process be revisited in concert with the visioning process that the Fierro Marine Life Center will be undertaking soon. Sissi Bruch also mentioned that the City Council will begin a visioning process for the City at the beginning of 2016. Conversation then turned to plans for Race Street. Cherie Kid discussed the idea of renaming Race Street to possibly Olympic Park Boulevard. She mentioned the name being after a family that no longer have ties to Port Angeles. Discussion about addressing and e-mapping issues came up. Cherie Kidd asked Mr. West to describe what a redeveloped Race St. might look like. Mr. West indicated that the changes would include improved bike and pedestrian amenities, the use of a landscaped median strip separating traffic lanes, underground utilities, improved wayfinding signage and minimal commercial signage. Discussion regarding ideas for improved signage directing visitors to the Park followed. It was determined that pa forward should draft a letter to the National Park expressing support for improved signage or indicators for when the road to Hurricane ridge is impassable. A suggestion for a visitor's center was included. Mr. West indicated that traffic counts show approximately 4 million vehicles per year use Race Street, many of which are assumed to be going to the Park. Kaj Ahlburg inquired about the zoning along Race Street and what commercial development would be allowed. Planner Scott Johns indicated that zoning was Commercial Office, which is limited in use intensity to relatively minor commercial uses. Mr. West commented that the City would encourage visitors to use existing commercial corridors (First/Front and Downtown) rather than creating an intense commercial corridor along Race St. Funding prospects and concerns for the Race St. improvements were discussed. The hiring of Vertigo Marketing to create a new media campaign. Mr. west pointed out that the contract included local vendors for videography, photograph, and graphic design element. There will be improvement to websites and social media sites as well as campaigns in the Puget Sound area as well as Canada. The company will have a representative visit Port Angeles on a monthly basis. Ediz Hook access and development was discussed. Mary Sue French indicated that Nippon USA had installed new additional signage through the mill site. She also indicated that regular pavement painting would be necessary to maintain trail visibility through the site. She indicated that traffic seems to move well through the site once they have gotten that far. A suggestion that a directional sign located at the base of Hill Street would be highly beneficial to visitors looking for the Hook. The concept that the east end of Ediz Hook needs to have improved visitor amenities was discussed and well supported by the group. Staff indicated that the Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, and Shoreline Master Program were all supportive of improved facilities near the Coast Guard Base. Sissi Bruch suggested that the ideas need to be brought up during Council's upcoming visioning process. George Bergner suggested that the historical society be approached to provide historic photos of previous uses on the Hook. Charlie Smith indicated that he would bring that idea up at the next Historical Society Board meeting. n T:ABOARDS COMMITTEES COMMISSION\04 PA Forward\Meeting Minutes\2015\2015-12-10 PA Forward minutes.doex Port Angeles Forward Committee Meeting Minutes for October 8, 2015 Adiourni'nent The meeting adjourned at 8:32 a.m. Next Meetin,-Date Next regular meeting date—January 14, 2016, at 7:30 a.m. in the Pittis Conference Room. ,v d,, Cherie Kidd, Chair Scott Johns, Secr TABOARDS COMMITTEES COMMISSION\04 PA Forward\Meeting Minutes\2015\2015-12-10 PA Forward minutes.doex I