HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2023-07-26MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Hybrid Meeting – In Person and Virtual
City Council Chambers: 321 E 5th Street, Port Angeles, Washington 98362
July 26, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Stanley opened the regular meeting at 6:02 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Benjamin Stanley (Chair)
Andrew Schwab (Vice Chair)
Richie Ahuja
Tammy Dziadek
Marolee Smith
James Taylor
Colin Young
Commissioners Absent: None
City Staff Present: Ben Braudrick (Senior Planner)
Zach Trevino (Assistant Planner)
Shannen Cartmel (Community Services Deputy Director)
Public Present: David Ventura, Meghan Ventura
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Stanley opened the meeting to general public comment.
No member of the public provided any comment.
Chair Stanley closed the meeting to public comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Schwab moved to approve the minutes from the May 24, 2023 regular meeting of
the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0) through a
consent vote. Commissioner Smith had not arrived at the meeting at the time of this vote.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Façade and Sign Grant Application No. 23-02
Planner Trevino introduced the Façade and Sign Grant Application received from Phoenix
Dragon Martial Arts requesting funding for improvements of the building located at 1025 E 1st
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Street in the City of Port Angeles. He displayed a presentation detailing the request, comparing
existing conditions with the proposed improvements, and conveying staff’s recommendation
that the Planning Commission approve the request. Following staff’s overview of the request,
Applicants David and Meghan Ventura provided an explanation of their request. The
Commission discussed the proposal and asked clarifying questions of the applicants and staff
regarding the proposed work and the requirements of the grant program. Staff confirmed that
the applicant has applied for a building permit for the proposed work.
Motion: Commissioner Ahuja moved to approve Façade and Sign Grant Application No.
23-02 for Phoenix Dragon Martial Arts at 1025 E 1st Street.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and passed unanimously (7-0) through
a roll call vote.
2. Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update – Subcommittee Creation
Planner Braudrick provided an overview of the anticipated 2025 Comprehensive Plan
Periodic Update process and the purpose of the stakeholder advisory group that the City is
working to assemble. Staff clarified that this periodic update is distinct from an annual
amendment, such as the amendment recently completed in June of 2023. Following the
introduction of the process of subcommittee creation, questions from the Planning Commission
were directed to staff and discussion ensued, with the following main points raised:
• The next steps in the planning process include obtaining grant funding from the
Department of Commerce and signing a contract with a consultant.
• Staff clarified that the subcommittee would be limited to three members.
• In response to questions about the process timeline and meeting scheduled, staff
explained that the subcommittee would likely participate in approximately four
primary meetings spaced at regular intervals, with other meetings scheduled as needed.
An open house occurring in the City will be part of the engagement process. Consensus
from the stakeholder group will be needed to establish meeting times that work for
participants.
• The number of members permitted to participate in the subcommittee was discussed.
Staff clarified that the intent is to ensure that the subcommittee is not subject to the
Open Public Meetings Act and emphasized that the entire Commission will be involved
in the update process even if only three will serve on the subcommittee.
• The Planning Commission Bylaws were consulted to determin e the proper method of
creating a subcommittee and its composition.
Motion: Chair Stanley moved to create a subcommittee of the Planning Commission to
solicit stakeholder input in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update process.
The motion was seconded Commissioner Young and passed unanimously (7-0) through a
consent vote.
Following the creation of the subcommittee, further discussion ensued about the composition
of the subcommittee.
Chair Stanley encourage other members to take leadership roles in the subcommittee.
Vice Chair Schwab explained that Article III, Section 5 of the Bylaws requires the Chair to
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appoint all subcommittee members and serve as an ex -officio member without the power to
vote.
The Commission decided to defer appointment of subcommittee members to a future meeting
of the Planning Commission to allow the Commissioners to further consider the bylaws and
the optimal membership of the subcommittee.
STAFF UPDATES
City staff provided the following updates to the Commission:
• Planner Braudrick announced that the 2023 Amended Comprehensive Plan was
approved by City Council.
• Planner Braudrick informed the Commission of Council’s request for staff to draft
code incorporating accessory dwelling unit requirements of Engrossed House Bill
1337. A public hearing will occur in front of the Commission on August 9, 2023. The
draft code will be released for public consideration on August 4, 2023. The Department
of Commerce has been notified and public notice of the hearing has been distributed.
• Deputy Director Cartmel announced that the City is in the process of hiring a Housing
Administrator.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
• Commissioner Young asked staff to provide an update regarding the short-term rental
moratorium. Staff explained that a consultant has been secured and the analysis process
is scheduled to conclude in February of 2024.
• Commissioner Smith asked about business license requirements. Staff confirmed that
business licenses will be considered as part of the process to address short-term rentals.
• Commissioner Dziadek asked Vice Chair Schwab what steps he has taken to master
parliamentary procedure. Vice Chair Schwab recommended Jurassic Parliament and
recommended obtaining a copy of Robert’s Rules. Staff confirmed that the City c an
provide educational resources to the Commissioners.
• Commissioner Dziadek recommended writing by Donella Meadows to the other
Commissioners. The essay called “Dancing with Systems” was distributed to the
Commission on July 21, 2023.
• Chair Stanley recommended Jane Jacobs’ book The Nature of Cities as a resource for
discussion of complex systems from a planning and economic framework.
• Commissioner Ahuja emphasized the importance of using case studies from other
cities to justify ecological action. He an nounced that the next United Nations General
Assembly will occur in September and will focus on cities.
• Commissioner Taylor explained that he met with the City Manager to discuss
development in the City. He asked for status updates regarding the Field Hal l and
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Hotel. Planner Braudrick and Deputy Director
Cartmel provided status updates for these projects.
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• Commissioner Smith asked for a status update on the Race Street project. Planner
Braudrick explained that the planned end date for construction, including landscaping,
is in October.
• Commissioner Ahuja reminded staff of his prior request for information from the
Finance Department.
• Commissioner Smith announced that she will be starting a new dog boarding business
in the City of Port Angeles.
• Chair Stanley encouraged the promotion of the idea that 1st Street and Front Street
should be decoupled and transition from one-way to two-way streets. Brief discussion
of cross-town routes occurred.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Stanley adjourned the meeting at 7:27 P.M.
Zach Trevino, Secretary Ben Stanley, Chair
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Zach Trevino, Secretary
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