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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2018-02-28MINUTES PLANI\ING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 February 28,2018 6:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: StaffPresent: Public Present: Andrew Schwab, Duane Morris (Chair), Steven Hopkins, Amy Powell, Pamela Hastings David Amoroso (Vice Chair), Matt Bailey Allyson Brekke, Ben Braudrick Kent Sommerfeld, First Federal Savings and Loan PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Morris opened the regular meeting at 6:15 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Schwab moved to approve the November 08, 2017 anil February 612018 minutes. Commissioner Hastings seconded, and all were in favor. Due to the applicant not yet being in attendance for the scheduled action item, Chair Morris reorganized the agenda to allow time for them to arrive. STAFF'UPDATES Planning Manager Allyson Brekke updated the Commission on a Community and Economic Development Department work plan item for the upcoming year. The Comprehensive Plan annual amendment process would take place in the first half of the year, with the Planning Commission hearings conducted prior to or during May and the City Council hearings conducted prior to or during June. This year changes will include integrating of the 2009 American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design Assessment Team documents vision into the plan. Other changes include removal and/or correction of inaccuracies. The City Bicycle Advisory Board will be announcing May as Bicycle Month and the City Council will likelypassing a resolution in support of the awareness month. The committee would be planning bicycle related activities throughout the City and Clallam County. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS None. Planning Commission Minutes February 28,2018 Page 2 REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Schwab asked about the possibility of placing deep water moorage in the harbor for larger personal watercraft. Planning Manager Brekke responded that there are many different unknowns for a project of that scope, but that there would be many agency reviews involved, including the Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources. Assistant Planner Ben Braudrick remarked that the City was planning on placing its temporary moorage on the public pier, which although was not particularly deep water,moor Chair Morris asked about the signage Planning Commission subcommittee that had been created, specifically what their role was and when they could meet. Planning Manager Brekke responded that rewrite of the sign code was also on the Community and Economic Development Department work plan for 2018, with Council action to be taking place before December 31, 2018. This change will likely be a comprehensive rewrite and public engagement process, and the possibility of a new form of code that includes visual elements, diagrams, design examples, drawings etc. The sign code subcommittee can serve as a group that assists with public outreach efforts and could meet at any time, because the number of members is less than what constitutes a quorum. Chair Morris agreed that a public process would be hugely important in this amendment. Planning Manager Brekke added that one of the subcommittee members may not be continuing his seat on the Commission, and the subcommittee may need to be revisited. PUBLIC HEARINGS/ACTION ITEMS 1. Facade and Sien Grant Aoplication:- 18-01 First Federal Savinss and Loan Commissioner Hopkins asked about the funding source that allowed the existence of the Façade and Sign Grant program. Planning Manager Brekke responded that it was funded through a Community Development Block grant from the federal government, and that funding had been in place since 2009 when the grant was first created through credit from City of Port Angeles grant fund account. The grant is a unique way of demonstrating how physical improvements to the public realm also improve a community. The program currently has a designated redevelopment district focusing on l't Street between Laurel and Race Streets, and there have been conversations about creating a separate focused district at Lincoln and 8th Streets. Chair Morris asked whether there was a cap on the special district. Planning Manager Brekke responded that there was no cap, but any project asking for over $25,000.00 would have to be presented to City Council for approval. Assistant Planner Ben Braudrick gave a presentation on the façade grant application for First Federal Bank. The application requests S10,000.00 toward a new exterior facade valued at $171,617.00. Planníng Commission Minutes February 28, 2018 Page 3 Chair Morris invited the applicant, Mr. Kent Sommerfeld to the microphone to provide any other comments or description of the project. Mr. Sommerfeld explained to the Commission that this project was a part of a complete redesign of the bank building, which was its first flagship structure in Port Angeles when it was originally constructed. Newer branches completed recently in Skagit and Kitsap counties all had similar types of exterior façade construction. Chair Morris asked about the freestanding sign to the north of the property and if it would remain or be updated. Mr. Sommerfeld stated that a rebranding had happened recently, and the signs would not change. Planning Manager Brekke reminded the Commission that there was no sign grant application with this grant request. Commissioner Hopkins asked if there was going to be a teller machine that soul be available for walk ups located in or on the building. Mr. Sommerfeld replied that there would be a new vestibule that would be manned by an employee during regular business hours and would be secured for bank customers during all other hours. Commissioner Hopkins moved to approve Façade Grant 18-01 for $10,000.00 toward improvements valued ît|l7lr6l7.00. Commissioner Schwab seconded. Chair Morris asked if Staff would tike the Commission to include the conditions findings, and conclusions from the staff report. Planning Manager Brekke agreed that this was a good idea. Chair Morris made a friendly amendment to include with 5 conditionsr 9 findings, anìl2 conclusions for the staff report. All were in approval. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Ben Braudrick, Secretary Duane Morris, Chair PREPARED BY: Ben Braudrick " THE CITY OF W A S H I N G T O N, U.S PLANINING COMMISSION ATTENDANCEAND TESTIMONIY SIGN IN ROSTER PLEASE SIGN IN IF you plan to testify, by signature below, you certify that the testimony given is true and correct under penalty of perjury by the laws of the State of Washington. If you do not plan to testify, your signature only acknowledges your presence at the meeting. MEETING DATE: you! L L Name¡Address Agenda ltem # K¿' L 5o^o^,r-{, lr(ílt $ t5b 5