HomeMy WebLinkAbout060823 Planning Commission Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JUNE 8, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in regular session on June 8, 2023, in the City Council
chamber at 540 Water Street. Chair Lois Stanford called the meeting to order at 6:30
pm.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Rick Jahnke, Robert Doyle, Neil Nelson, Vicki
Sonntag, Samantha Bair -Jones, Andreas Andreadis, and Lois Stanford.
Staff members present were Planning Manager Judy Surber, Long Range Planner
Helena Smith, and Deputy City Clerk Lonnie Mickle.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Agenda was accepted by consensus.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 25 2023
Commissioner Rick Jahnke moved to accept the amended agenda. Minutes amended
for typographical errors. Commissioner Bob Doyle seconded this motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
OLD BUSINESS
The city's Long Range Planner Helena Smith began the presentation, "Roadmap to
Housing." Information covered in the presentation was about the city's annual
comprehensive plan update, criteria for changes to the city's comprehensive plan,
suggested criteria for prioritizing code and plan changes, a review of a short list of
suggested code and plan changes. The options listed for changes during the
presentation were the Evans Vista Subarea Plan, Regional Stormwater Management
Facilities, increasing density and allowing structures in R -IV zoning, updating multifamily
tax exemption programs, and a change from minimum to maximum lot sizes.
Planning Manager Judy Surber answered the question about the community's direction
statement in the city's comprehensive plan and how it could be re-evaluated to get an
updated idea of the community's values.
Long Range Planner Helena Smith continued the presentation going through each
option, starting with the Evans Vista Subarea plan.
Judy Surber answered a question on the economies of scale to get builders to build in
the Evans Vista area and continued the presentation on Regional Stormwater
Management.
Helena Smith then presented the remaining options, increasing density in the R -IV
zone, the updating multifamily tax exemption programs and the change from minimum
to maximum lot size.
Discussion ensued about middle density projects, more smaller scale apartment
complexes, the consideration of public subsidies for lower income affordable housing,
state housing funds and small-scale developers. The Commissioners conversation
continued about the option of minimum density or maximum lot size. Mentioned in the
conversation were duplexes and triplexes on a single lot.
A request was made to have more information about minimum density and maximum lot
size for further discussion.
Once all the options were reviewed, the Commissioners conversed about which option
would have a significant impact at a faster rate of speed to help the community now.
The Commissioners requested more information on the options to make a more
informed decision.
Helena Smith recapped the information requested by the Commissioners.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to discuss.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
* 06/22 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
* 07/13 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
There were no communications.
COMMUNICATIONS
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With no other items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm,
Attest:
�X-Planning Commission Chair
C/tity Clerk's Office