HomeMy WebLinkAbout091814 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSHOP
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in regular session on
September 18, 2014 in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers at 530
Water Street. Chair Monica Mick-Hager called the meeting to order at 6:30
p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Monica Mick-Hager, Dwight Nicholson,
Jack Range, Gee Heckscher, and Kirit Bhansali with Douglas Frick, and Nan
Evans excused.
Staff members present were Community Services Director Rick Sepler, Senior
Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber, and Deputy City Clerk Kelly
McLaughlin.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (NO NEW ITEMS CAN BE ADDED)
Motion: Kirit Bhansali moved to approve Jack Range seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Overview of the Comprehensive Plan & Mandatory Update Process
Judy Surber provided an overview of the history of the City of Port Townsend's
1996 adopted Comprehensive Plan, the purpose of updates to the Plan as
required by the Washington Growth Management Act, and the process for
Planning Commission's review of the Plan. The updated Plan must be
adopted by City Council no later than June of 2016.
As a first step in identifying potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan,
Monica Mick-Hager requested Planning Commission input regarding the
continued importance of each of the fifteen assumptions used to develop the
1996 Plan. Commission members found most of the assumptions to still be
relevant. There was discussion of the need to include within the assumptions
the City's changing demographics as the median age has increased
dramatically since 1996 and second homes have doubled from 10% to 20%.
Planning Commission Special Workshop Meeting September 18, 2014 Page 1 of 2
Despite this demographic change, working class families will continue to need
jobs, schools and recreational space within their community. The impacts of
Climate Change on the economy and as an impetus for more people to retire
here from dry regions, and natural disasters such as earthquakes were listed
as unforeseen events that are difficult to plan for.
Staff will provide more detailed data and trend information as the required
elements of the Plan are reviewed and key items are illuminated. Monica
Mick-Hager commented that Planning Commission members should begin to
develop ideas for proposed revisions in preparation for the next meeting on this
matter.
UPCOMING MEETINGS (SEE CALENDAR ON BACK OF AGENDA)
Rick Sepler reported that the City received a CERB planning grant for the
Howard Street overlay project, therefore, that item will be removed from the
Planning Commission's calendar while the study proceeds. The 2014
Comprehensive Plan docket items will be scheduled for October 9, 2014, with
the next meeting regarding the GMA Comprehensive Plan update scheduled
for October 23, 2014.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Attest:
w
Planning Commissi
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Special Workshop Meeting September 18, 2014 Page 2 of 2