HomeMy WebLinkAbout080818CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION OF AUGUST 8, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in special session on August 8, 2018 in
the City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Paul Rice called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Bob Doyle, Rick Jahnke, James Lagergren,
Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Paul Rice, and Lois Stanford.
Staff members present were Planning Director Lance Bailey, and Acting Clerk Pam
Kolacy.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
There was consensus to accept the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES JULY 24, 2018
Two corrections to the minutes were noted: under ADU public comment, change
spelling of commentor's name (page 3) from McEnery to McEnerney; revise motion on
page 2 & 3 regarding Daylight Plane so the end of the sentence reads "on the side of the
lot contiguous to rights of way."
Motion. Rick Jahnke moved to approve minutes of July 24, 2018 with corrections. James
Lagergren seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no general public comment.
OLD BUSINESS
Housing Code Amendments: Daylight Plane, SEPA Thresholds, and ADU
Regulations
Planning Director Lance Bailey reviewed the portion of the staff report on SEPA
threshholds. The report addressed amended code language to raise the SEPA
categorical exemptions to the maximum allowed by the state. Discussion centered on
agricultural structures as this had not been discussed previously.
There was no public comment on the SEPA threshholds.
Planning Commission Meeting August 8, 2018 Page 1 of 3
After further discussion, consensus was to accept the code changes as presented,
Mr. Bailey then reviewed the proposed code changes regarding the Daylight Plane.
Discussion centered around changes to 17.60.030 D. 4, 5, and 6. These should
reflect removal of the single story differentiation and revise the initial height as
appropriate for each section.
There was no public comment on the Daylight Plane section of the report.
Mr. Bailey will review the noted sections for consistency with the Planning
Commission's recommendation.
Mr. Bailey reviewed the staff report section on ADU Regulations. There was
discussion on the potential for allowing more than one ADU per primary residence.
Parking and impervious surface were identified as potential issues.
Mr. Bailey distributed information about parking waivers that have been allowed for
ADUs. It was noted that staff gives guidance and information about potential waivers
to applicants.
Public Comment:
Lauren Ehnebuske stated that she feels strongly that by eliminating the need for the
primary residence owner to live on site, the character of neighborhoods would be
changed because owners have a vested interest in the land and keep an eye on the
renters. She believes that by eliminating the need for land owners to live on site, the
City is inviting investors from out of town to buy up properties for rental purposes and
this will contribute to rental and real estate prices being higher.
Commission discussion included the differences between short and long term rentals,
with long term renters more likely to become integrated with the neighborhood; lack of
options available to address the housing shortage; status of homes and ADUs vacant
due to current regulations, expansion of investment opportunities, noting that even
with out of town landlords, both rental properties would be available to local residents;
and the need for all types of housing.
Public comment.-
Ms.
omment:Ms. Ehnebuske reiterated her statement that this change in regulations would push
real estate prices higher.
It is anticipated there will be much further discussion at the policy level during public
hearings and at the City Council level. Commissioners agreed it is important to track
the issue at the Council level and add input from these discussions when possible.
Mr. Bailey stated at the next meeting, Commission will review the Rainier Street and
Upper Sims Way Subarea Plan. It is likely the plan will be adopted prior to the
development regulations. Staff is working on timing and sequencing, incorporating
comments from staff and advisory boards. An initial schedule will be presented at the
Planning Commission Meeting August 8, 2018 Page 2 of 3
next meeting. Regarding changes to housing regulations, the next topics may be
boarding houses and modulation.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner MickHager noted that the City Council is moving forward on the City
Manager recruitment and hiring process and will be requesting input from advisory
boards by some time in September and will be appointing a task force which could
include advisory board members. She suggested the Commission discuss their input at
an upcoming meeting. Mr. Rice will contact staff for further information.
There was no other business.
OTHER BUSINESS
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Commissioner MickHager will not be present on August 22; Commissioner Doyle will not
be present on September 13.
COMMUNICATIONS - NONE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Attest:
-V Planning Corrimission Chair
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Meeting August 8, 2018 Page 3 of 3