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HomeMy WebLinkAbout042315 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF APRIL 23, 2015 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in regular session on April 23, 2015, in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Mick-Hager called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners present at roll call were Nan Evans, Douglas Frick, Rick Jahnke, Monica Mick-Hager, Dwight Nicholson, and Jack Range with Kirit Bhansali excused. Staff members present were Planning Manager/Senior Planner Judy Surber, Planning Director Lance Bailey, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Motion: Nan Evans moved to approve the agenda with the move of Item A following Item C. Rick Jahnke seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 9, 2015 AND MARCH 23, 2015 Motion: Douglas Frick moved to approve minutes of April 9, 2015. Jack Range seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Motion: Rick Jahnke moved to approve the minutes of March 23, 2015 with modifications as follows: - Page 1, Removal of'Pledge of Allegiance"following the call to order. - Page 2, first paragraph, first sentence "Council and Planning Commission" - Page 2, paragraph 5, Ms. Surber confirmed it would be an aiteFna that a PUD is processed in conjunction with either a subdivision or binding site plan In terms of time to process " she estimated the process could take anywhere from 90 to 120 days from the date an application is deemed complete. Dwight Nicholson seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT - ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA There were none. Planning Commission Meeting April 23, 2015 Page 1 of 5 NEW BUSINESS Discussion of the Planning Commission Assessment of the Comprehensive Plan Senior Planner Judy Surber reported that the memorandum by Eric Toews would provide a background for the Commission's assessment upon Planning Commission adoption. She reviewed potential areas of amendment by the Planning Commission, noting that Commissioner Evans has agreed to assist with reviewing and editing the assessment and recommending a work plan. There was no Planning Commission objection to this approach. Some discussion ensued about the meeting schedule and there was interest in discussing the results of the stakeholder groups and advisory group presentations at the May 14 meeting. Ms. Surber noted that the Emerging Trends document informs the Planning Commission's assessment, so guidance should be provided if there are data sets the Commission would like staff to consider. Ms. Surber noted that the list of data sets reflect work by the Technical Committee. Margin notations reference figure numbers where the data sets are reflected in Eric Toews' memo. Also provided at the meeting was a comparison chart of levy rates. Regarding recreational and cultural opportunities, the best information available was a livability index by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Ms. Surber offered to include this in the Emerging Trends document and explore whether more information is available on rental housing. Ms. Evans recommended including how the City compares to the rest of the state and investigate whether data exists in AARP to include it as another level of comparison. Input on Draft Survey Ms. Surber reviewed the draft survey to replace the survey used in the 1996 planning process. The new survey reflects the changed circumstances and staff's research of surveys from other jurisdictions. The Commission discussed and suggested edits to some of the questions as follows: Q1. What do you love about Port Townsend (top five). List the same bullets under Questions 1 and 2 and frame as strengths and weaknesses Q2. To improve Port Townsend, the City should focus on (top five). Opportunities for young families Working waterfront/maritime character Economic opportunity and jobs rather than economic development Historic character rather than historic preservation Increase variety of housing choices (provide examples) Recreational opportunities for adults Recreational opportunities for youth and families Planning Commission Meeting April 23, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Delete parks maintenance and street maintenance and pool Emphasis on small locally-owned and operated businesses rather than zoning for larger retail stores Q3. What concerns you most about Port Townsend's Future (pick three) Suggestion to ask a follow up question about what concerns should be addressed through City policy or within the City's financial resources. Instead of"education" use "K-12 and Higher Education." Q4. Tell us About Yourself Offer a choice of identifying respondents with their neighborhoods and possibly including a map within the survey to show neighborhood areas. At 8:05 p.m., the meeting recessed for the purposes of a break. Mr. Frick left meeting at 8:11 p.m. At 8:15 p.m., the meeting resumed. Review of "Changed Circumstances and Emerging Trends - A Review of Key Data to Inform Policy Makers" (memo by Eric Toews) Eric Toews of Cascadia Planning gave an overview of his draft Emerging Trends document the intent of which is to provide a contextual framework and assist the Commission in focusing on what is important. The goal is to identify key issues to which the City might formulate policy responses to affect positive change. The Commission then asked questions and commented on the document. There was a suggestion to include a section on accountability and consequences for not reaching plan goals (like affordable housing). Mr. Toews stated that it is a requirement of GMA that there be implementing regulations consistent with adopted policy. The City attempted, through regulatory changes, to address policy statements in response to the 1996 plan. Despite efforts, the larger economy impacted the ability to affect change. He is unaware of many instances where the City failed to address policies. Ms. Surber mentioned a tool some cities use is benchmark reporting and adaptive management strategies if it did not reach those goals. Re-election of councilmembers are a way citizens reflect how they feel about the City reaching goals. There was a question about the need for reference to the financial policies (having financial assets for economic vitality, safety and security). Mr. Toews referred to the September 2014 initial assessment memorandum which mentioned planning for transition and resilience. To him resilience for the City means safeguarding core infrastructure that protects public health and safety (such as water resources). The policy language in the plan on economy and energy might provide the framework to establish a separate process to address specific financial goals. Planning Commission Meeting April 23, 2015 Page 3 of 5 One comment was to flag water and population growth as "areas of uncertainty." There was also some discomfort with references to anecdotal data (page 17, "using accumulated assets to purchase homes") and confusion about the meaning of the preliminary conclusions such as slower than expected growth, aging population (page 28). Mr. Toews suggested that what is listed under preliminary conclusions are objectives from the 1996 plan. Ms. Evans suggested clarifying this section by calling it something like "reflections of the past." When asked if the Planning Commission would address the stated preliminary conclusions and prioritization of those items, Mr. Toews agreed it is ultimately up to the Commission to identify its own priorities. Planning Director Lance Bailey suggested that the Commission consider these as the larger concepts that have arisen through other discussions. Ms. Evans suggested that it be clarified that these are staff recommendations at this point. Ms. Surber clarified that is an evaluation of general themes done by a qualified consultant and data research. Mr. Toews then explained the reference to mixed-use centers. What was anticipated in 1996 as a scale of growth and development driven by a population that did not materialize. It was noted that the Cascadia memo included statements the consultant can stand behind and gathers information together for Planning Commission consideration for its development of the work plan. OLD BUSINESS - NONE OTHER BUSINESS - NONE UPCOMING MEETINGS There were no additional comments. COMMUNICATIONS There was no discussion of the public comment report included in the packet. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Attest: f Planning Commi Planning Commission Meeting April 23, 2015 Page 4 of 5 p City Clerk's Office Planning Commission Meeting April 23, 2015 Page 5 of 5