HomeMy WebLinkAbout082416 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 24, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in properly noticed special session on
Wednesday, August 24, 2016, in the City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Vice
Chair MickHager called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Nan Evans, Rick Jahnke, Monica MickHager, and
Paul Rice, with Kirit Bhansali and Dwight Nicholson excused. Staff members present
were Planning Director Lance Bailey, Senior Planner John McDonagh, City Attorney
Steve Gross, and Deputy Clerk Amber Long.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Vice Chair MickHager suggested adding three items to the agenda: (1) under Old
Business, the draft memo to City Council regarding non-owner occupied short-term
rentals; (2) under Other Business, discussion about the subcommittee appointed to
discuss bookmarks; and (3) under Other Business, appointment of a replacement for
Doug Frick to the Design Review Subcommittee.
Motion: Nan Evans moved to accept the agenda as amended. Paul Rice seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES -AUGUST 10, 2016
Motion: Rick Jahnke moved to approve the minutes of August 10, 2016. Paul Rice
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Rick Oltman spoke about Navy growler noise. Staff clarified that the letter he mentioned
is from City Council.
OLD BUSINESS
Short-Term Rentals/Vacation Rentals/Transient Accommodations Code Revisions
and Draft Memorandum to City Council
Lance Bailey gave the staff presentation,
Planning Commission Special Meeting August 24, 2016 Page 1 of 3
Public comment: Kathleen Croston spoke about proposed fees for tourist homes being
too high. Staff provided a response and confirmed that fees are set by Council.
In addition to editorial corrections, there was consensus among Commissioners to
direct staff to:
- Add a code reviser note to the "Short Term Rental" definition.
- Move 17.57.020(B)(3) to follow the sentence in (13)(5).
- Add to 17.57.020(B): "The Owner shall be onsite during the time the short term rental
use is taking place."
- Leave in the "Transferability" section (as amended) for clarity.
- Add to 7(e) on page 10: "except those lawfully established prior to June 1, 1989."
The Commission voted 3-1 to add a new item to 17.57.020(B): "Tourist homes are
only allowed in detached single-family residences"; Commissioner Evans opposed.
The Commission discussed the draft memo to City Council, which summarizes the
Commissioners' comments accompanying their vote at the July 13th meeting. The
Commission generally agreed to approve the memo with the addition of a comment
from Commissioner Rice and a summary statement.
Motion: Paul Rice moved to direct staff to prepare Planning Commission
recommendations for public hearing. Rick Jahnke seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
The meeting went into recess at 8:13 and resumed at 8:18..
Buffer Reduction for Licensed Marijuana Operations
Senior Planner John McDonagh made the staff presentation. Commissioners generally
agreed to have staff draft a recommendation that provides the least complicated way to
allow potential business owners to set up in commercial zones, whether that is a
reduction of all buffers to 100 feet or a reduction of select buffers that are closest to
commercial zones. At the next meeting, staff will provide a map that shows the buffer
zones more clearly.
Motion: Nan Evans moved to direct staff to prepare materials in preparation for a public
hearing. Paul Rice seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Election of Vice Chair
Monica MickHager agreed to serve as presiding officer until the election of Chair and
Vice Chair in January. Instead of electing a replacement Vice Chair for the remainder
of the year, the Commission agreed to select a temporary presiding officer at any
meeting that Ms. MickHager cannot attend until the next election.
Planning Commission Special Meeting August 24, 2016 Page 2 of 3
OTHER BUSINESS
Subcommittee Appointed to Prioritize Future Work Plan Items/Bookmarks/
Running List
After discussion and recommendations from staff, the subcommittee members agreed
not to hold their first meeting until after the Comprehensive Plan has been adopted by
City Council.
Appoint New Member to Design Review Advisory Subcommittee
Monica MickHager nominated Paul Rice to replace Doug Frick on the Design Review
Advisory Subcommittee and he accepted. Nan Evans nominated Rick Jahnke as an
alternate and he agreed.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The public hearing on short-term rentals will be on September 8th, and the public hearing
on marijuana buffers will be on September 22nd.
COMMUNICATIONS - NONE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Attest:
a,
Planning CommiicrTM y hair
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Special Meeting August 24, 2016 Page 3 of 3