HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2023-05-24MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Hybrid Meeting – In Person and Virtual
City Council Chambers: 321 E 5th Street, Port Angeles, Washington 98362
May 24, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Stanley opened the regular meeting at 6:05 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Benjamin Stanley (Chair)
Andrew Schwab (Vice Chair)
Richie Ahuja
Tammy Dziadek
Marolee Smith
James Taylor
Commissioners Absent: Colin Young – excused
City Staff Present: Ben Braudrick (Senior Planner)
Zach Trevino (Assistant Planner)
Shannen Cartmel (Community Services Deputy Director)
Public Present: Ian Miller, Christy Cox, Elise Miller
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Stanley opened the meeting to general public comment.
Christy Cox, owner of Olympic Roots Farm in Port Angeles, expressed support for the
proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments integrating climate resiliency. She stated that a
changing climate affects farming. She encouraged immediate action by the City to address the
climate crisis as quickly as possible.
Ian Miller, resident of Port Angeles, does climate planning in his role with Washington Sea
Grant and voiced support for the Comprehensive Plan amendment effort. He expressed delight
in response to the City’s progress on climate planning.
Elise Miller, resident of Port Angeles and staff at the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, works on
climate change and environmental restoration projects for the Tribe. She expressed support for
the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment.
Chair Stanley closed the meeting to public comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Schwab moved to approve the minutes from the May 10, 2023 regular meeting of
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the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through a
consent vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 23-26
Chair Stanley introduced the item. He explained that this public hearing and the
Commission’s discussion of the proposal were postponed from the May 10, 2023 regular
meeting of the Planning Commission.
Planner Trevino introduced the proposed amendments by providing a presentation to the
Commission. The presentation included an overview of relevant background information, the
substance of the proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan, the amendment process, and
next steps. Recommended motions were provided for consideration by the Planning
Commission.
Following staff’s presentation, the Commissioners asked questions of staff regarding the
information presented. Discussion ensued, addressing the Rayonier mill site, glass recycling,
and materials reuse.
Chair Stanley opened the public hearing to public comment. The following individuals
provided comment to the Commission:
• Christy Cox stated that she is part of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee of Clallam
County and announced that the City of Port Angeles has ordered glass recycling bins.
Within 70 days, the City should provide an estimated time for when the bins will arrive
and become operational. She noted that the proposed Comprehensive Plan does not
include information about yard waste and composting. Yard waste is shipped out of
the City and processed into compost in Shelton, WA. Other yard waste is stored at
the Port Angeles Transfer Station. She is wondering whether compost operations
are planned to resume at the Port Angeles Transfer Station. She urged this to be
considered in the draft plan.
• Ian Miller reminded the Commission that the Comprehensive Plan should balance
climate resiliency with other priorities, which can sometimes compete with each other
for implementation. The City should focus on integrating multiple priorities.
Chair Stanley closed the public hearing to public comment.
Following the public comment, the Planning Commission discussed the comments received
and considered the draft amendments. The discussion focused on a range of issues related to
the draft climate resiliency goals & policies in the Comprehensive Plan. The following four
motions were made to further amend the draft amended Comprehensive Plan prior to their
presentation to the City Council at a public hearing on June 6, 2023.
Motion 1
Chair Stanley moved to amend draft Goal G-3N and Policy P-3N.02 in the Land Use
Element to state the following:
Goal G-3N: Make Port Angeles food secure by promoting local and regional sustainable
agriculture, utilizing multiple sources for food production and procurement, and increasing
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food production within the City.
Policy P-3N.02: Encourage partnerships between local farms/farmers and residents to
establish local food production projects and local composting and green waste recycling
projects.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through a roll call vote.
Motion 2
Chair Stanley moved to create a new policy under draft Goal G-3N in the Land Use
Element to state the following:
Encourage the City of Port Angeles to operate a composting facility.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through a roll call vote.
Motion 3
Commissioner Smith moved to amend draft policy P-3N.05 in the Land Use Element to
state the following:
Policy P-3N.05: Implement zoning updates that simplify urban gardening like water
conservation techniques, allow fencing, allow personal and community gardens, and
manage poultry and livestock production.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through a roll call vote.
Motion 4
Commissioner Taylor moved to add a new goal and policy in the General Land Use Goals
& Policies section of the Land Use Element to state the following:
Goal G-3E: Promote cleanup of environmentally contaminated sites within the city.
Policy P-3E.01: Actively pursue and participate in environmental remediation of
contaminated sites using best available science.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through a roll call vote.
Following these four motions to further amend the draft amended Comprehensive Plan, the
Planning Commission made the following motion:
Chair Stanley moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of
Comprehensive Plan amendment No. 23-26 to the City Council as modified by the
Planning Commission through motions made at the May 24, 2023 regular meeting of the
Planning Commission. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through
a roll call vote.
STAFF UPDATES
City staff provided the following updates to the Commission:
• Planner Braudrick reminded the Commission that a joint Planning Commission &
City Council meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2023 from 5:00-6:00 PM. Commissioner
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Young will not be able to attend but other Commissioners should attend. The meeting
will involve discussion of the work plan and City priorities.
• Planner Braudrick stated that the City is preparing to begin the process for the 2025
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. The City has scheduled an interview with a
consultant.
• Planner Braudrick announced that the section of the Race Street Trail between Parks
Avenue and Mt. Angeles Road is now complete and open to the public.
• Planner Trevino encouraged the Commissioners to attend a Jurassic Parliament
training scheduled for June 5, 2023 at 6:00 PM. The training will occur at a public
meeting and cover best practices for meeting procedures and other information relevant
to the Commission.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
• Commissioner Dziadek recommended a book titled The Great Displacement by Jake
Bittle.
• Commissioner Smith explained that a sidewalk is needed on her side of the street to
facilitate safe pedestrian activity.
• Commissioner Taylor mentioned that he keeps hearing from developers that their
project is delayed in the plan review stage of the process. He urged Planning Division
staff to do their jobs more quickly. Deputy Director Cartmel responded by stating
that the Department is working to improve the efficiency of its processes.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Stanley adjourned the meeting at 8:14 P.M.
Zach Trevino, Secretary Ben Stanley, Chair
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Zach Trevino, Secretary
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