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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04City of Port Townsend (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@ci.port-townsend.wa.us) www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us April 2005 City Update—A special presentation From Mayor Catharine Robinson and City Manager David Timmons Development-Your Right to Know by David Wright, Interim DSD Director Over the past several years the pace of development in the City has quickened. This has been fueled by low interest rates, demand, and the gradual extension of utilities and streets. Many properties that were once deemed too expensive to develop are now becoming feasible projects. This means that the woodland across the street, or the view you currently enjoy, may change in the near future unless you purchase the property. A complex web of rules, regulations and codes that are administered and enforced by the City’s Development Services Department (DSD) governs each development project. In general, projects with the least impact are regulated by the least number of rules and have the lowest public notification requirements of impending action by the property owner. A single-family residence, being built on an existing street with existing utilities available, requires no notification to adjacent neighbors. By contrast, a large commercial development on the waterfront has an extensive public process to traverse before the Department considers approval, and permits are issued. How do you know when something is going to happen? Here are some clues: A real estate transaction occurs. People rarely buy raw land without some intention of developing it. You see strangers wandering through the blackberries with thoughtful looks on their faces. Survey markers appear. Bands are placed around trees. Official notification is published in the Leader and posted at the site. Site clearing begins. How do you confirm your suspicions? The easiest way is to come to the DSD front counter on the third floor of the Waterman & Katz Building and inquire. DSD staff field a constant stream of verbal inquiries about properties in the City. These inquiries are not recorded, nor are they discussed outside of DSD staff meetings. However, once a formal application has been made by a landowner, the record is open to public inspection. Your privacy, and the privacy of landowners are respected as much as possible, though the Department cannot guar- antee complete confidentiality due to public disclosure laws. EarthDay EveryDay! April 23-24 A weekend extravaganza of FREE enter- tainment, education and play at Memorial Field with indoor presentations happening in Pope Ma- rine Park Building. You can find more information at www.olympus.net/earthday, or by contacting ei- ther Ann Raab at 385-2536 or Judith Alexander at 385-5766. Lessons Learned From The Indian Ocean Tsunami: Our Risk Here A FREE seminar with renowned tsunami and earthquake expert Dr. Brian Atwater will be held Monday, April 4 at 6:30 pm in the Fort Worden Commons “Company A” room. It is sponsored by the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management, Fort Worden State Park and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Port Townsend Ferry Terminal Preservation Project The Washington State Ferries is seeking feedback from citizens regarding the Port Townsend Ferry Terminal Preservation Project. Please visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ projects/PtTownPreserv and send your comments or concerns via phone (206) 515-3411; mail Wash- ington State Ferries, Port Townsend Ferry Termi- nal Preservation Project, c/o Joy Goldenberg, 2911 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121; or, email porttownsendproject@wsdot.wa.gov. The Jefferson County Historical Society Museum at Water and Polk Streets The Jefferson County Historical Society has created a lively new museum in a former bowling alley on the second floor of the Kuhn Building at Water and Polk Streets. These temporary quarters will serve as the home for the Historical Society, Museum and Museum Shop during the restoration of the Port Townsend City Hall building. The Museum and Shop are open daily, Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for chil- dren under 12. Museum admission is free for Jefferson County residents on the first Saturday of each month and always free for members of the Jefferson County Historical Society. By prior arrangement, Museum admission is free for Jeffer- son County school groups. For more information call 385-1003 or visit www.jchsmuseum.org. The 2005 City of Port Townsend Drinking Water Report will be sent in your May utility bill. The City of Port Townsend Utility Newsletter will resume with the June issue. City Clerk Pam Kolacy elected President of Washington Municipal Clerks Association On March 23, City Clerk Pam Kolacy was elected President of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) by her peers at their annual conference held this year in Skamania, WA. For a term of one year, Pam will preside over the organization that was founded in 1970. WMCA is a non-profit asso- ciation that promotes the professional and edu- cational standards of Municipal Clerks, County Clerks, and Transit Board Clerks in various local governments of Washington State. CONGRATULATIONS TO CITY CLERK PAM KOLACY! Deputy Mayor Michelle Sandoval received the Public Official of the Year 2005 Award presented by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County. Vice Chairwoman Cammy Brown and Unit Chairwoman Betty Todd presented the award to Ms. Sandoval at a March 3 “Recognition Event” co-sponsored by Soroptimist of Port Townsend/East Jefferson County. Criteria for this award included effective vision, policy, commitment, innovation and over-coming obstacles. CONGRATULATIONS TO DEPUTY MAYOR MICHELLE SANDOVAL!