HomeMy WebLinkAbout040315 Final Minutes - Land Use Workgroup
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE WORKGROUP MINUTES
DATE: START TIME: LOCATION:
April 3, 2015 1:02 p.m. City Hall, Conference Room 3
Members Present:
Judith Alexander (Sustainability/Resiliency), Nan Evans (Planning Commission), Steve Kraght (Realtor), Daniel
Milholland (Community/Young Adults), Kris Nelson (City Council), Michelle Sandoval (City Council), Cindy Thayer (1996 Update),
Dianne Thompson (1996 Update)
Guests:
Heather Graham, Debbie Jahnke, Deanna Pumplin
Staff Present:
Judy Surber (Planning Manager), Lance Bailey (Community Services Director), Eric Toews (Cascadia Planning
Services), Amber Long (Deputy Clerk)
Topic Recommendation/Action Follow-up
(if needed)
Welcome & Introductions
Comprehensive Plan Overview
Judy Surber discussed the Comprehensive Plan update process and the role of the
five workgroups. She described the four fundamental concepts of the
Comprehensive Plan: maintaining small town character, achieving better balance
between jobs & housing, accommodating the City’s share of county-wide growth,
and providing public facilities & services within the City’s financial resources.
She noted that the scope of work includes “state-mandated” revisions and,
resources allowing, optional amendments selected locally. The workgroups need
to identify any additional optional themes. A question arose about obtaining an
extension on the update deadline. Ms. Surber stated that the City had submitted a
request for an extension. Ms. Surber stated that the goal is to have the scope of
work adopted by City Council by July 2015.
Changing Circumstances & Emerging Trends In response to a
Ms. Surber reviewed trend data detailed in the meeting materials. Workgroup question from
members expressed concern about the effect of climate change on population Cindy Thayer,
growth. Eric Toews explained the Office of Financial Management’s methods for Ms. Surber
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Topic Recommendation/Action Follow-up
(if needed)
determining population forecasts. offered to check
on whether the
statistics
regarding multi-
family housing
include ADUs.
Optional Amendment Themes
Ms. Surber discussed the preliminary optional amendment themes: planning for
transition and community resilience, revisiting the mixed-use center designations,
and policies & capital improvements that support families & youth. There was a
suggestion that the Howard Street Corridor need no longer be considered as an
optional amendment theme. Ms. Surber stated that it is best to focus on only one
additional theme in order to meet the update deadline; however, the process could
include “placeholders” for future action on other optional themes.
Why Are We Here?
Mr. Toews and Ms. Surber set the guidelines for the workgroup’s discussion. The
workgroups are to focus on general ideas for optional themes rather than details.
Forming a Scope of Work – Group Exercise
During discussion, members made Ms. Surber
Workgroup members were asked for input on optional theme(s). Members suggestions including: offered to follow
acknowledge City’s limitations on issues such as global/national economy, improving up with Kris
-Financial encouragement for
education/health care, affordable housing. Mr. Toews noted the Comprehensive Plan developers re: affordable housing and Nelson
includes many policies in support of the issues raised; however, anticipated funding mixed-use centers (e.g., waive CAM, regarding
and growth has not come to fruition. PreApp fees) language in the
-Simplify zoning and make it more Comprehensive
Members expressed interest in focusing plan update(s) on increasing housing variety flexible - make zoning more open-Plan addressing
and affordability, including: conversion of large Victorian homes to boarding ended for creative entrepreneurial Glen Cove.
house/multi-units, co-housing, multifamily housing, tiny houses, ADUs, rental opportunities and housing options
housing, Air B&Bs, mobile homes, manufactured homes, and shared/group living -Review existing development
th
options. The Housing Workgroup meets on April 7. regulations/design standards – do
they create unnecessary barriers to
desired growth? (e.g.,
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Topic Recommendation/Action Follow-up
(if needed)
Ms. Surber asked if “Jobs Housing Balance” should be added as an optional theme. sidewalk/parking requirements)
Members agreed and noted the benefits to all ages. -Community resilience including food
issues (e.g., the ability of citizens to
Members noted Port Townsend’s philanthropic retirees allow us to prosper. grow food given zoning regulations)
-More money devoted to complete
streets accommodating all users
-Support work-from home (possibly
more mixed-use/infrastructure,
revisit home occupation regulations)
-Environmental issues (air quality
issues linked to alternative
transportation, use of natural
resources –specifically water
supplies, increased coordination with
Mill regarding environmental
impact)
nd
-Increase tax on 2 homes as a
disincentive
-Linear parks
-Focusing City’s capital investment
projects on neighborhoods that tend
to be lower income
If an extension is granted, workgroup
members encouraged repeat of 1996
coffee hour conversations vs. town
meeting. Although the city lacks
funding, there may be opportunities for
creative funding/ collaborations with
grass-roots groups (e.g., Local2020 and
Collective Impact) that are engaged in
community conversations. It was
suggested that the city coordinate with
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Topic Recommendation/Action Follow-up
(if needed)
these groups to involve citizens (e.g.,
City-design questions and groups engage
citizens to answer)
Public Comment
Deanna Pumplin expressed appreciation that climate change is a factor in the
discussions. She suggested graywater systems, food forests in combination with
City parks, and regarding housing/zoning issues, she suggested shared-amenity
situations as an alternative to single-family homes.
Debbie Jahnke stated that seniors, and not just young people, need affordable
housing options. She also spoke about the need for “complete streets” (e.g. more
bike lanes).
Next Steps:
Judy Surber described the process for narrowing down the focus of
the additional theme(s). The workgroup will meet one more time, after the scope
of work has been approved by City Council.
Next Meeting:
To be determined
Adjourn:
The meeting ended at 3:27 p.m.
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