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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF JULY 13, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in special session on Wednesday, July 13,
2016, in the City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Frick called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Kirit Bhansali, Nan Evans, Douglas Frick, Rick
Jahnke, Monica MickHager, and Dwight Nicholson, with Paul Rice absent.
Staff members present were Planning Director Lance Bailey, City Attorney Steve Gross,
and Deputy Clerk Amber Long.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Motion. Rick Jahnke moved to accept the agenda. Kirit Bhansali seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 23, 2016
Motion: Nan Evans moved to approve the minutes of June 23, 2016. Rick Jahnke
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT - NONE
OLD BUSINESS
Short-Term Rentals/Vacation Rentals/Transient Accommodations Code Revisions
Planning Director Lance Bailey described the materials in the meeting packet
and clarified that out of fifty properties on the list provided by staff, only four are
grandfathered properties.
Public comment: Jeff Randall spoke against allowing non-owner occupied short-term
rentals.
Public comment: John Eisinger expressed concern that his B&B could lose business
if short-term rentals are allowed.
Staff provided a response and clarification regarding properties posted on AirB&B.
Commissioners expressed appreciation for the public comments received to date.
Planning Commission Special Meeting July 13, 2016 Page I of 2
It was generally agreed that when staff forwards a recommendation to City Council, it
will incorporate the Commission's reasons for wanting to prohibit non-owner occupied
short-term rentals, which reasons include the effect on affordable housing and rental
availability, concern about increasing economic disparity, the lack of a perceivable
public benefit, and that these rentals do not contribute to a sense of community and
may even detract from it.
Motion: Nan Evans moved to recommend that the City prohibit non-owner occupied
short-term rentals. Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Staff gave options for approaching code consolidation and answered questions on
topics including business licenses, options for addressing nonconforming and
grandfathered properties, conversion of ADUs, transferability of land use permits,
lodging taxes, and business regulations, specifically health code issues.
Chair Frick reopened public comment. Jeff Randall asked about grandfathered
properties in residential zones, and staff clarified that there are none. Mr. Frick re-
closed public comment.
There was extensive discussion of the proposed definitions in the draft ordinance, and
the Commission generally agreed on the following:
- address hotels and motels separately from other transient accommodations
- allow legal short-term rentals to operate year-round
- delete "and sleeping purposes" from the proposed Short Term Rental definition and
delete "for sleeping purposes only" from the Tourist Home definition
- require the owner to obtain a permit and to list that number on all advertisements
- require that short-term rentals only be operated by the legal owner in residence at the
time, not an agent or tenant
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
OTHER BUSINESS - NONE
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Mr. Gross provided a general timeline for other issues that will be coming before the
Planning Commission later this year.
COMMUNICATIONS - NONE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Attest:
r
Planning ommissrb Chair
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Special Meeting July 13, 2016 Page 2 of 2