HomeMy WebLinkAbout051514 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY
15, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in special session on Thursday,
May 15, 2014 in the Third Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 250 Madison
Street. Chair Monica Mick-Hager called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Kirit Bhansali, Nan Evans, Douglas
Frick, Gee Heckscher, Monica Mick-Hager and Dwight Nicholson with Jack
Range absent.
Staff members present were Community Services Director Rick Sepler, Senior
Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber, and Deputy City Clerk Kelly
McLaughlin.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Motion: Gee Heckscher moved to approve the agenda as written. Kirit Bhansali
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES -APRIL 16, 2014 JOINT WORKSHOP, APRIL 24,
2014 REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING AND MAY 7, 2014 JOINT WORKSHOP
Motion: Gee Heckscher moved to approve Minutes of April 16, 2014 Joint
Workshop, April 24, 2014 Regular Business Meeting, and May 7, 2014 Joint
Workshop as written. Dwight Nicholson seconded.
Vote: motion carried 5-0 by voice vote, with Kirit Bhansali abstaining.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA - LIMITED TO
5 MINUTES PER PERSON. PLEASE BEGIN BY STATING YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS. COMMENTS MADE DURING THIS TIME WILL NOT BE PART OF
THE HEARING RECORD)
There was no public comment.
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
OLD BUSINESS
Planning Commission Special Meeting May 15, 2014 Page 1 of 3
Howard Street Overlay
Community Services Director Rick Sepler stated that planning the Howard
Street Corridor is part of the Comprehensive Plan. Staff seeks Planning
Commission guidance on whether the concept presented tonight is on the
right track. The Howard Street Corridor conceptual design includes
development with a focus on artisan manufacturing, light industrial and
mixed residential/commercial use. One additional goal of development in
the Howard Street Corridor, in conjunction with the Transportation Plan, is
to create additional north south corridors to keep the number of trips per
day on Sims Way to below 22,000.
Intern Planner Stacey Cannon presented the Howard Street Corridor
conceptual design. She introduced the quadruple bottom line framework
that considers the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural impacts
of Comprehensive Planning. The Howard Street Corridor concept meets
economic goals to create jobs, find an economic niche, and complement
existing commercial uses along Sims Way; and social goals to encourage
living wage jobs, upward mobility, access to resources, and opportunities
for education and job training. Environmental goals are met by protecting
natural habitat and watersheds, encouraging sustainable development and
building practices, and allowing accessibility to a variety of transportation
modes and options. The concept meets a cultural goal of the
Comprehensive Plan by encouraging creativity and artisan production of
value-added goods. Mr. Sepler commented that existing zoning in the area
would allow for car lots and mini storage, which are uses not allowed in the
Howard Street Corridor concept. Types of businesses that would be
suitable were summarized. Ms. Cannon discussed Overlay Districts,
Performance-Based Zoning, and Form-Based Zoning as methods to
achieve the development concept.
Mr. Sepler advised that the next steps are to define "artisan
manufacturing," develop an interim ordinance for the area, and prepare to
incentivize interested tenants. Research indicates that it takes 2-3 tenants
to generate momentum for development. In response to a question from
the Commission, Mr. Sepler added that although "family wages" cannot be
a guaranteed result of new business development, it continues to be a goal
of City planning efforts. Infrastructure and road improvements scheduled
for 2015 in Howard Street define a target schedule for development. Long-
term transportation needs and development beyond the Howard Street
Corridor will be included in continued Comprehensive Planning.
Public Comment: Robert Gray, City Councilmember, was present and
reported that he met yesterday with nine owners in the Business Park
adjacent to the Howard Street Corridor development. He said the owners
are looking forward to improvements in Howard Street, and they suggested
needs for the area including dining options and entertainment for families.
The business owners also noted concerns with after-hours security that
might be mitigated with on-site residential uses.
Planning Commission Special Meeting May 15, 2014 Page 2 of 3
Planning Commission consensus was supportive of the Howard Street
Corridor conceptual design presented tonight, and agreement for Staff to
continue forward. There was some discussion about the term "artisan"
manufacturing not properly encompassing the range of uses being
encouraged.
The Commission stated appreciation to Intern Planner Stacey Cannon,
and to staff, for the development of the concept and the concise
presentation.
OTHER BUSINESS - NONE
UPCOMING MEETINGS (SEE CALENDAR ON BACK OF AGENDA)
Staff reported that there are no meetings scheduled until June. Chairperson
Mick-Hager requested a future agenda item for the Commission to discuss the
information presented at the three Joint Planning Commission workshops.
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm
Attest:
Jam.
Planning Commission Chair
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Special Meeting May 15, 2014 Page 3 of 3