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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041119 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION OF APRIL 11, 2019 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in regular session on April 11, 2019 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Paul Rice called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners present at roll call were Bob Doyle, Rick Jahnke, James Lagergren, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Lois Stanford, and Paul Rice. Staff members present were Development Services Director Lance Bailey, Planning Manager Judy Surber, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA There was consensus approval of the agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 28, 2019 Motion: Rick Jahnke moved to approve Minutes - March 28, 2019 Bob Doyle seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There was none. PUBLIC HEARING Text Amendments to PTMC Chapter 16.08 Flood Damage Prevention Chair Rice reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no financial or property interests to disclose in connection with this matter, although James Lagergren acknowledged that his home is within the flood zone. There were no objections by staff or the Planning Commission to him participating in the hearing. Planning Manager Judy Surber made the staff presentation. She reported public comment was provided from Cindy Jayne from the Climate Preparedness Action Group urging raising the flood protection elevation level for residential and Planning Commission Meeting April 11, 2019 Page 1 of 3 nonresidential base flood elevation from 1 to 2 or more feet. Staff solicited feedback from FEMA on that opinion and those comments related to manufactured homes were also provided. Her presentation covered the background and overview of key changes and maps of where regulations would apply. Ms. Surber reported that since 2017 update, FEMA updated the floor insurance rate maps necessitating their adoption. She reviewed the map of special flood area hazards (including impacts to the Boat Haven). She then led the Commission through a discussion topics: types of structures, what it would mean to increase the minimum, allowing variances, and a timeline of the amendment process. Public Comment: David Wilkinson spoke to Cindy Jayne's written comments from Local 20/20. He gave background on the effects of climate change on the community. Because FEMA uses historical versus future anticipated sea level rise, he urged the change supporting +2 or more of flood elevation. Commission then discussed: 1. Should the city increase the minimum freeboard? Yes, there was consensus to increase to 2 feet above base flood elevation. 2. Should the City allow variances? Staff noted this is a Type II permit. There was consensus to allow variances. 3. Should appurtenant structures be added to Section 16.08.170? Following the Commission and staff discussion on whether item 4 would be onerous to businesses in the Boat Haven to meet the requirements. Staff noted that propane tanks need to be anchored, but heat pumps or electrical equipment for the shop would need to meet the base elevation, but not two feet above. There was no change regarding the suggestion about requesting FEMA to agree to changes for some residential structures, but there remained interest in excluding those in boat yard. Discussion then moved to a page by page review of PTMC 16.08. Staff noted several typographical or grammatical changes. Substantive amendments related to references beginning in 16.08.130 for "mean sea level." There was a suggestion to include a definition and list the current mean sea level height in Port Townsend. Ms.. Surber noted that the reference point changes over time, but Staff could include a definition or replace "mean sea level" with the specific number. Staff responded to questions on the SEPA environmental checklist, but there were no changes. Ms. Surber then led a review of additional updates to the findings and conclusion as highlighted. There were no additional revisions. Mr. Rice closed public testimony and then the public hearing. Motion. Monica MickHager moved to approve Planning Commission Findings and Conclusions and Text Amendments to PTMC Chapter 16.08 Flood Damage Prevention (as presented with modifications as noted to attachment 1 and Planning Commission Meeting April 11, 2019 Page 2 of 3 attachment 1a), including adoption of the flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps dated June 7, 2019. Aislinn Palmer seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Rainier Street and Upper Sims Way Subarea Plan — Status Update Development Services Director Lance Bailey distributed draft modified PTMC tables 17.18.020, 17.20.020, and 17.22.020 to assist the Planning Commission in its review of the new development regulations in the subarea plan. Discussed were how the uses are currently listed in the code versus how the changes would look in the proposed amendments. When combining categories, there were questions about how staff would address the different permitted categories once grouped together. Mr. Bailey agreed to continue to refine the proposed changes for discussion at the next meeting. Because of the rezone properties from C-II to Mixed Commercial, there would likely be a new table or notes to describe the changes to the C-II. He noted that in the next packet would be a finished narrative for the hearing, table of all of the changes, development regulations, and findings and conclusions. UPCOMING MEETINGS Public Hearing on the Subarea Plan. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Attest: c � Planning Commiss n Chair City Clerk's Office Planning Commission Meeting April 11, 2019 Page 3 of 3