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HomeMy WebLinkAbout123019 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 30, 2019 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in special session on December 30, 2019 in the City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Paul Rice called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners present at roll call were Bob Doyle, Rick Jahnke, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Paul Rice, Viki Sonntag, and Lois Stanford. Staff members present were Development Service Director Lance Bailey, and Deputy City Clerk Haylie Clement. PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Text Amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 17.08 related to the Definition of Family; Table 17.16.030 related to Modulation; Section 17.16.020 related to Accessory Dwelling Units; Section 17.34.030 related to Cottage Housing; and Table 17.16.020 related to types of residential structures allowed in the R-IV Zoning District Chair Rice read the rules and procedure for the public hearing. No Commissioners disclosed a financial or property interest in the matter. Development Services Director Lance Bailey distributed draft findings and conclusions while explaining that since the last meeting an additional proposed text amendment had been added related to the definition of family. Also, based on discussion at the November 14th meeting, the item related to the minimum density requirements in the R-III zone had been removed. The Commission then agreed to review and accept public testimony for each individual amendment. Amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code Table 17.16.030 related to Modulation Lance Bailey explained the proposed text amendment related to modulation is intended to decrease the restrictiveness as opposed to removing the requirement all together. The amendment being proposed would be to increase the maximum wall length. Public Comment: Robert Gray commented on personal frustrations when attempting to comply with the modulation requirement. Lance Bailey responded to public comment by providing information on the staff review of potential alternatives to the modulation requirement as currently written. Planning Commission Meeting December 30, 2019 Page 1 of 3 Commissioners discussed how the proposed change would benefit developments, options for waivers from the requirement, exemptions based on street visibility, and adding language for an administrative design review. Commissioners also discussed whether the amended regulation would still meeting the original intent and how it would effect affordable housing. The Commission reviewed options to add language for a square footage exemption of 1,000 square feet in addition to the frontage length increase. It was also suggested to reduce the size of the modulation when the requirement is triggered. There was general agreement to change the modulation language in the table to state Maximum wall length without modulation = 30;- minimum modulation depth = 2'y- minimum ;minimum modulation width = 8'. Applies to structures greater than 1,000 gross square feet. Amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 17.16.020 related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Lance Bailey presented on the proposed changes to the ADU maximum square footage including the need to clarify if the requirement applies to both attached and detached structures. There was no public comment. Commissioners provided a recap of previous discussions on the proposed amendment. The option to limit an attached ADU to a certain percentage of the primary residence was discussed. Lance Bailey explained that this is typically not recommended to the sake of consistency. Commissioners recommend increasing the maximum ADU floor area to 1000 square feet and making it consistent for both attached and detached structures. Amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 17.34.030 related to Cottage Housing Lance Bailey introduced the proposed changes to the code language on Cottage Housing and explained how it relates to affordable housing. The changes include maximum density and minimum lot size. There was no public comment. There was general agreement to recommend the code changes as presented. Amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code Table 17.16.020 related to types of residential structures allowed in the R-IV Zoning District Staff presented the proposed text amendment regarding density in the R-IV zone. It was explained that the proposed change would not effect the overall density but would allow for smaller structures, meaning fewer than five units within a single structure but not less than two. Public Comment: Liz Berman commented on personal barriers related to developing in an R-IV zone. Planning Commission Meeting December 30, 2019 Page 2 of 3 Eliminating the single structure requirement for multiple units would allow for tiny homes. Peggy Webster commented on the timing of some of the proposed text amendments and how it plays in with the community. Lisa Crosby spoke in favor of multi family developments. And expressed concern on the timing of the changes. Commissioners discussed the possibility of the changes discouraging development that may already be in process. The group discussed further revising the amendment to only allow fourplexes. There was unanimous agreement to recommend revising the R-IV zoning code to allow fourplexes. Amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 17.08 related to the definition of Family Lance Bailey introduced the new proposed amendment to remove the definition of Family explaining this item came forward as a result of discussion with the Council Housing Committee. Staff provided information regarding recent controversy over this definition. Public Comment: Lisa Crosby spoke in favor of removing the definition of Family. There was consensus to recommend the code amendment as presented. Planning Commission Findings and Conclusions Lance Bailey presented the draft Planning Commission Findings and Conclusions and summarized the changes discussed. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the Planning Commission Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations and direct staff to forward to City Council the five proposed text amendments as discussed. Bob Doyle seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m. Attest: PlanningrrmissioW n Chair Ci Clerk's Office Planning Commission Meeting December 30, 2019 Page 3 of 3