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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 May_2023_newsletter_finalNewsletterNewsletter MAY CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: City of Port Townsend 250 Madison Street (360)385-3000 www.cityofpt.us 05/01/23: Business Mee�ng05/08/23: Workshop Mee�ng05/15/23: Business Mee�ng05/29/23: City Offices Closed Mee�ngs are subject to change. Please view our website calendar for an up-to-date mee�ng schedule:www.cityofpt.us/calendar Consider applying to be on a City Advisory Board or Commission. Visit our website for descrip-�ons, applica�ons, and mee�ng schedules: www.cityofpt.us For more informa�on, contact the City Clerk’s Office at: (360)379-5083. The following Boards and Commissions have current and upcoming vacancies: Arts Commission Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee Library Advisory Board Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee Parks, Recrea�on, Trees & Trails A Note from Council Member Aislinn Diamanti (pictured) and Planning Commissioner Viki Sonntag Usually, changes to the zoning code – the rules governing housing development – proceed incrementally with a bias for preserving the status quo. Both of us have been a witness to how slow this process can be. So taking a running start on the zoning changes needed to address the housing crisis, via the Tac�cal Infill ini�a�ve, was a welcome change of pace. The recent amendments to our zoning code aim to level the playing field for small-scale housing development. By lowering barriers to building smaller, lower cost homes and increasing the code’s flexibility, these prac�cal chang-es increase the affordability of near-term housing op�ons. They also help communi-ty-based organiza�ons such as Habitat for Humanity, Olympic Housing Trust, and Community Build provide below-market rate housing. Some highlights from the code changes are: •Port Townsend becomes the first city in Washington State to allow �ny house on wheels (THOWs) as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). At half the cost of the least expensive founda�on built ADU, THOWs are a fast and affordable housing op�on for many. The Department of Planning and Community Development is working on a streamlined applica�on package that will keep permi�ng costs for THOWs below $1,000.•The new code simplifies co�age housing design requirements. Through public comments, we heard a lot of folks express interest in small-scale housing commu-ni�es. The revisions to the co�age housing code make it easier to cluster houses economically.•The ordinance reduces permi�ng requirements for small-scale projects. The cost of permi�ng small-scale, more affordable housing developments was burden-some. The new requirements will help fast-track community-driven housing projects. There’s lots more to be done on the path to preserve and create affordable housing, but Ordinance 3306 sets the foundation for a housing plan that will help secure housing as a basic need for all income levels. MAY 2023 Regularly scheduled library story�mes will be on break from May 3 - June 5, while we promote our Summer Reading program. Our Youth Services team will be visi�ng local schools and sharing informa�on about upcoming programs and events. We will resume having weekly story�mes on June 6, with the start of Story�me in the Park. In the mean�me, families are invited to join us at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, for Story�me at the Port Townsend Farmers Market. PT Library - Storytimes Rhododendron Festival The Jefferson County 88th Annual Rhododendron Fes�val was established in 1935. Check out the events at: www.rhodyfes�val.org City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Thank you for reading this newsle�er and for your interest in our community. I firmly believe that a more informed community is a more engaged community. I also believe that a more engaged community is a stronger, a more resilient, a be�er community. Thanks for doing your part to stay up on what’s happening! The invita�on is this: find something you’re passionate about and let’s work together. There are many ways to get informed and engaged in our community. This includes ge�ng involved with the City, but it also includes a wealth of incredible organiza�ons we’re grateful to have here. I am deeply mo�vated by making a difference and I know the City team is too. Like many of those around us, dig in and you can make a difference. To those ends, we’re always trying to improve the way we communicate, engage, and partner. Since I started three years ago – and with COVID challenging us to innovate – we have tried a number of new ways beyond this newsle�er. For instance: •Engage PT is the web portal for City-related ini�a�ves, events, and decisions that may affect you:cityofpt.us/engage•Our renewed volunteer program is now part of Engage PT. You can learn more at that webpage and consider arange of ways to get involved, including the many boards and commissions – or even running for a Council seat!•KPTZ kindly hosts Brewocracy Now!, a radio show I co-host each week on Thursday from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.: 91.1FM or kptz.org.•Coffee with the City Manager is back on, the first Friday of each month from 9 - 10:30 a.m., currently hosted byVelocity downtown at the Northwest Mari�me Center.•Follow us on Facebook at h�ps://www.�.me/CityofPT•Our local papers regularly pick up City news from regular press releases and from City perspec�ve pieces on keyissues.•Town Hall mee�ngs have been an ins�tu�on in PT – and s�ll are – but we’ve also started doing Virtual Town Hallmee�ngs too.•City Hall’s Front Desk and Public Experience Liaisons are available to help when you walk through the front doorof City Hall or call (360) 385-3000, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p m.•Online resources are expanding, including our new e-permi�ng portal:cityofpt.us/planning-community-development/page/inspec�on-and-permi�ng-portal•Staff and City Council had a monthly booth at the PT Farmers Market the last few years, highligh�ng currentini�a�ves and ways to get involved.•Collabora�on between local government agencies and our community has likely never been this strong, withquarterly mee�ngs of the na�onal award-winning Intergovernmental Collabora�ve Group. Whether you care about housing, parks, the pool, the golf course, streets, other issues – or absolutely all of them – we want to be sure you know how to plug in and contribute to a posi�ve future for PT. This brings me to two final points. First, we launched our Annual Report this month. This is the third �me we’ve taken a big look at the previous year’s accomplishments and challenges and provided an in-house readable summary. You can find that report here: cityofpt.us/annualreport. A big thanks to Gretchen Harmon and Ron Logghe who worked hard to bring it together. Finally: an introduc�on. I’m thrilled to announce the selec�on of Shelly Leavens as our first Communica�on and Marke�ng Manager. We were excited to have a number of very qualified candidates. Shelly stood out for her deep leadership skills; her clear, approachable, and strategic communica�ons and marke�ng style and acumen; her collabo-ra�ve ethos; and her strong commitment to posi�ve change in this community. Shelly has transi�oned from her recent role as Execu�ve Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society and brings a wealth of experience as an ar�st, story-teller, communicator, and change-maker. Please welcome Shelly, who started with the City on May 4th. And please watch this space – her hire is a significant step forward in improving how we communicate, engage, and work together to make a real difference in our community. A Note From City Manager John Mauro Coffee with the City Manager First Friday of each month May 5, 9 - 10:30 a.m. Velocity, 431 Water Street City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Tac�cal Infill Zoning Changes = Fewer Barriers to Crea�ng Housing Opportuni�es As Council Member Diamanti explains above, the zoning code amendments City Council passed March 27, 2023, with Ordinance 3306 and many people are asking how to put the new code to work. The Tac�cal Infill Project endeavored to reform zoning rules to empower local residents to add to the housing supply. The following bullets are a summary of some of the modifica�ons passed to remove barriers to crea�ng housing:•Permit two accessory dwelling units (ADU’s)•Streamline review of co�age housing•Permit �ny house on wheels (THOW) in a variety of circumstances (effec�ve July 1, 2023). See info below for details.•Provide for innova�ve ways for development flexibility to achieve comprehensive plan densi�es, including “unit lot” subdivisions•Further reduce mandatory off-street parking requirements•Permit Employer Provided Housing in certain zones•Clarify condominium, coopera�ve, or other collec�ve ownership forms•Tackle various other minor provisions consistent with the infill project The Department of Planning and Community Development has been working on implementa�on and outreach to understand what’s changed. We have published handouts on our website and new applica�on forms for some of the processes. Check out the new info here: h�ps://cityofpt.us/planning-community-development While Ordinance 3306 is currently in effect, a por�on of the ordinance rela�ng to THOWs is not effec�ve un�l July 1, 2023. Because staff has received a lot of ques�ons and interest in using this type of housing, here is a sneak peek at some of the informa�on on THOWs and the applica�ons that will be required. WHAT IS A THOW? THOW is shorthand for a ‘Tiny House on Wheels.’ Also known as Park Models, this form of factory-built structure (not a building, therefore not subject to building codes) are primarily intended for use as a moveable, seasonal, temporary, recrea�onal place to stay. THOWs in Port Townsend will be required to meet addi�onal construc�on standards on top of Park Model standards to increase energy efficiency and be suitable for year-round, day-to-day use as a dwelling. WHERE CAN THEY BE PLACED? THOWs may be permi�ed as ADUs in R-I, R-II, and R-III zones subject to the provisions of Sec�on 17.16.020 PTMC. Refer to the City’s zoning map to determine the zone for a specific property: h�ps://cityofpt.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html THOWs may also be placed in a Tiny House on Wheel Community that has been approved as a condi�onal use in either the C-II, C-II(s) or R-III zones. WHAT STANDARDS MUST THOWS MEET? Any THOW proposed for use as an ADU must meet na�onal standards as a Park Model (ANSI 119.5 and the Na�onal Electrical Code, NFPA 70, Ar�cle 552) as evidenced by a label from the State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Also, THOWs must document they meet City of Port Townsend specific construc�on standards (PTMC 17.58.030) as evidenced by a cer�fica�on from a licensed Architect or Engineer licensed to prac�ce in the State of Washington. Permits for accessory dwelling unit, plumbing, founda�on pad and driveway development will be required. The units will need to be supplied with power and will need a separate electrical permit from L&I. They must be connected to City u�li�es or a sep�c system. Connec�ons must be permanent—garden hoses for water supply and compos�ng toilets are not allowed. Building permits for any front porches or entry steps may be required if there are four or more exterior front steps and/or a front porch that is over 30 inches in height. Staff are currently assembling addi�on-al informa�on and applica�on forms - stay tuned for more informa�on as we approach July 1. You can learn more about various City projects, and zoning reforms such as Tac�cal Infill by visi�ng EngagePT: www.cityofpt.us/engagept Check back as the City will be working on possible further zoning reforms as the year con�nues. Learn more about this project, or access Ordinance 3306, by visi�ng the project website: h�ps://cityofpt.us/planning-community-development/page/residen�al-building-capacity or by scanning this QR code: Planning & Community Development City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Parks Team Public Works Did you know that one of the biggest reasons behind our streets falling apart has to do with stormwater drain-age? O�en, our streets fall apart from the outside in, due to water at the edge of the roadway. As the City takes on repair of and restora�on of our streets system, the first step is addressing stormwater runoff from the roadway surface. This means the City will begin installing ditches, rain gardens, and where possible, catch basins and drainage pipes along the following streets. Work is expected to begin in May along the following streets: •Hancock Street between 9th and SR20•Hendricks Street between 9th and 12th•Holcomb Street between 7th and 10th•Cleveland Street between 12th and 14th•25th Street between Sheridan and Holcomb•Hancock Street between 3rd and SR20•Jackman Street between 45th and 49th•Fillmore Street between Jefferson and Washington•Pacific Street at Milo Street Due to the lack of a formal storm drain system, the City must rely on roadside ditches and infiltra�on as much as possible. Many of our streets originally had ditches and some streets never were built with appropriate drainage. Since drainage is a sensi�ve topic, we ask for your coopera�on in helping us make the best out of a hard situa�on. Please see the banked capacity link on the City’s EngagePT website at:h�ps://cityofpt.us/engagept/page/infrastructure for addi�onal informa�on. Many thanks from your Engineering and Streets Departments. For over 15 years, an informal group of community volunteers have been working to improve the two parcels that make up the 6.72 acres now known as Sather Park on Morgan Hill. Ini�ally volunteers known as the “No Ivy League” focused on removal of English ivy, poison hemlock and other invasive species. With that huge amount of work mostly completed, the community took on a number of projects to con�nue restora�on over the past 12 months. One of the new projects was to trim and thin the outside perimeter to allow for a mix of na�ve shrubs, sword ferns and ground covers to get more light and flourish. Another project was to trim and thin the perimeter trail that surrounds the Sather Forest to make it safer for mountain bikers and hikers. Many of the Douglas firs and western red cedars have been dying and falling from a common disease called laminated root rot. Three test plan�ng projects have been completed to see which species of trees might best thrive in Sather Park. The first project involved selec�ve placement of a dozen or so donated western white pines. The second project involved selec�ve placement of a dozen or so na�ve big leaf maples, Oregon white oak, and vine maples. Port Townsend Garden Center provided the plants at a generous discount so the dona�ons totaling $1,450 could buy more trees than planned. The third plan�ng was an area roughly 100 feet by 200 feet that was thinned and planted with donat-ed big leaf maples, dawn redwood and a mix of shrubs including na�ve huckleberry, Oregon grape, salal and snow-berry. With the test plan�ngs complete, the community of volunteers will focus on maintenance and working with Port Townsend Parks and Trails on a long term strategy to create a healthy forest and recrea�on facility for years to come.