HomeMy WebLinkAbout102419 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER
24, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in regular session on October 24, 2019 in the City
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Rice called the meeting to order at 6:30
p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Bob Doyle, Rick Jahnke, Monica MickHager,
Aislinn Palmer, Paul Rice, and Lois Stanford with James Lagergren absent.
Staff members present were Development Services Director Lance Bailey, and
Deputy City Clerk Haylie Clement.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MAY 23 AND JULY 10, 2019
Commissioner MickHager indicated she would abstain from voting on the July 10,
2019 minutes due to being absent from the meeting.
Motion:Aislinn Palmer moved to approve the minutes of July 10, 2019 with
typographical revisions. Rick Jahnke seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the minutes of May 23, 2019. Lois
Stanford seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Barbara Morey spoke in favor of tiny home developments and provided information on
housing projects in other jurisdictions.
Development Services Director Lance Bailey responded to public comment with
information on a housing project in the City of Walla Walla.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
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Lance Bailey provided an overview of the Planning Commission's role in making prior
recommendations on housing related code amendments.
Review potential changes to the modulation standards (PTMC 17.16.030),
including a possible departure process for alternative designs.
Lance Bailey briefed the Commission on the concept of modulation. It was
explained that developers have identified it as being a barrier to affordable
building especially when installing manufactured homes. The Commission
discussed alternatives to meeting the requirement without changing the building
design such as pergolas, landscaping and planter boxes. There were concern that
the alternative methods would be less permanent options.
Public Comment:
Viki Sonntag commented on tiny house developments and how the modulation
requirement effects that type of development. She also recommended allowing a
variation in siding as an alternative.
Liz Coker recommended that the Commission consider creating a size threshold for
small dwellings that would be exempt from the modulation requirement.
The Commission requested clarification from staff on the added cost caused by the
modulation requirement. Lance Bailey explained that the most common cost related
issue is with manufactured homes. The Commission discussed several code
amendment options including a departure process, adjustments to the size
requirements, adding specifications on what design elements are desired, and
restricting the requirement to development within the Historic District.
There was general agreement to look further into a departure process and to review
how other jurisdictions without modulation are dealing with design requirements.
Consider expanding the size allowed for an ADU and clarify whether the
maximum square footage requirement applies to both attached and detached
ADUs (PTMC 17.16.020).
Lance Bailey explained that there is a lack of clarity in the code related to the size
of ADUs and the code currently only lists a size restriction on detached ADUs. The
group discussed what the need in the housing market is and if the 800 square foot
maximum accommodates the housing needs.
Public Comment:
Viki Sonntag spoke on the correlation with lot coverage.
The commission requested clarification on how the square footage is calculated.
Lance Bailey provided a brief description and agreed to provide more information at
the next meeting.
Public Comment:
Barbara Morey expressed concern about adding a restriction without justification.
Coco Heath spoke in favor of revising the language to restrict the ADU size to no
Planning Commission Meeting October 24, 2019 Page 2 of 4
larger than the primary residence.
Viki Sonntag spoke about ADU building standards and the increased need for
parking generated by larger dwellings.
Sharon StDon spoke about the need for sound barriers between dwellings.
Consider revising the minimum parcel size required to initiate a cottage
housing project and/or allow higher density for cottage developments (PTMC
17.34.030).
Lance Bailey reported on the potential code amendments related to cottage
housing. The group discussed examples of cottage development within the City.
Public Comment:
Liz Coker spoke on the lack of incentive to develop cottage housing and ways to
promote higher density.
Sharon StDon commented on the adoption process of the cottage housing code.
Viki Sonntag spoke on the intent to promote community.
Piper Corbett spoke about changes in desired housing and using quality materials
for building.
Barbara Morey commented on a lack of affordability with the current cottage
housing code.
Coco Heath spoke about Patio Homes and co-housing.
The Commission discussed the intent of the cottage housing code. It was
expressed that the design requirements are excessive and out dated.
Recommend strategies for meeting the minimum density requirements in the
RIII zone (PTMC 17.16.030).
Lance Bailey provided an overview of the minimum density requirement and
explained that it is triggered by the ownership in a specific vicinity of the subject
property. It was noted that property owners mostly want to develop single family
homes and not multi-family development. The group discussed allowing a property
owner to develop less than the minimum if there is intend to build more in the
future.
Public Comment:
Liz Coker commented on how density is calculated.
The Commission discussed the potential outcomes of removing single family
dwellings as a permitted use in the R-III zone. There was concern that it could
potentially prohibit development.
Revise the requirements in the R-IV zone to allow for structures of less than 5
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units if the minimum density is met (PTMC 17.16.020)
Lance Bailey provided background information on the proposed code change and
its possible effects.
Public Comment:
Piper Corbett commented on high density buildings and efficiency.
Coco Heath commented on the need to promote low income level housing and
prevent increase in rental costs.
Vicki Sonntag spoke about tiny homes and the potential in the R-IV zone.
The Commission discussed development options that would still meet the minimum
density requirements.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next regular meeting is November 14, 2019. The Commission will continue to
discuss the housing related code amendments.
COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Palmer indicated she would not be able to attend the December 12th
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
Attest:
anm mmission Chair
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Meeting October 24, 2019 Page 4 of 4