HomeMy WebLinkAbout011311CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF JANUARY 13, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in regular session the 13th day of January 2011 in the
City Council Chambers of City Hall, Chair Julian Ray presiding. The meeting was
called to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present at roll call were Gee Hecksher, Jerauld Fry, Steven Emery,
Monica Mick - Hager, Sarah Bowman, and Julian Ray.
Staff members present were Development Services Director Rick Sepler, and Deputy
City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Motion: Steven Emery moved to approve the Agenda as amended to exclude
Approval of Minutes and include New Business Items Election of Chair and Vice Chair
and Potential Meeting Schedule Change. Gee Hecksher seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6 -0 by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from November would be approved at the next meeting.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES PER PERSON - FOR
ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA)
There was no public comment.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of Chair and Vice -Chair
It was noted that Steve Emery and Julian Ray have each requested reappointment
for another three -year term.
In response to the call for nominations, Jerauld Fry and Gee Hecksher were
nominated. Both declined the nominations.
Motion: Steven Emery moved to approve reelecting Julian Ray as Planning
Commission Chair and reelecting Jerauld Fry as Vice Chair. Gee Hecksher seconded.
Commissioner Mick -Hager indicated her preference for alternating chairs from year to
year.
Vote: motion carried, 5 -1 by voice vote, Monica Mick -Hager opposed.
Potential Meeting Change
Development Services Director Rick Sepler proposed a change to the meeting
schedule. The second meeting each month would be considered "as needed" rather
than regularly scheduled. This change would allow meetings to be held when
warranted. The Commission concurred with this change as being flexible depending
on the workload. This new schedule would allow Commissioners and staff more
time to prepare materials for meetings. Fewer meetings would also ease the
commitment required of Commissioners, which can be a barrier to getting new
members.
OLD BUSINESS
Workshop: Proposed Land Use Approach for the Howard Street Corridor and
Upper Sims Way - (Rick Sepler, DSD /Planning Director)
Mr. Sepler reviewed the workshop outline on Comprehensive Plan policy
considerations Policy 8.9 and 8.10 and a proposed hybrid model, form -based
code.
Mr. Ray talked about the economic development considerations of this land use
decision, including potential changes at the Port Townsend Paper Corporation.
Some discussion ensued about this industrial land and potential uses of the mill
property.
The Commission pointed out the need for a review of the building height
requirements listed in the draft ordinance. Mr. Sepler recognized an error which
should be changed from a maximum of 30' ground floor to a maximum of 18'.
Mr. Sepler provided an overview of the draft ordinance amending PTMC Chapter
17, explaining the use of overlay districts that would be applied in this corridor. He
also reviewed items yet to be developed such as definitions and details (integration
of streetscape design, minimum density, live -work, building type boundaries, drive -
throughs, support facilities, and departures). Mr. Sepler asked the Commissioners to
review commercial design and multi - family design standards in the code before the
next meeting to see if there is any applicability.
Mr. Sepler reviewed the form -based development standards. There was interest in
adding to the list of prohibited uses in the commercial subdistrict. He agreed to bring
the C -II and C -II MU zoning regulations to the next meeting to review the use table
references. He then moved on to the listed "Areas Yet to be Developed"
and upcoming "Discussion Issues" for the Commission. Mr. Sepler noted his
concerns about including Sims Way in this proposed scheme.
There was Commission discussion about the background on the City's formula store
regulations and whether to include some formula stores along Sims Way or limit
them to Howard Street. There was also interest in traffic improvements that would
result from opening Howard Street to Discovery Road and eventually opening
Howard to Hastings Avenue.
The Commission felt this overlay district is a good approach for staff to
pursue. There was support for the suggestion to change "exemption" to
"modification" in the list of Discussion Issues "Should the Formula Store
requirement exemption be limited to Howard Street." There was less certainty about
extending all aspects of the form -based approach to Sims Way. There was support
for considering a third option that shares some Howard Street uses. A couple
of commissioners commented that everything that is proposed for Howard Street
would not be viewed as economically viable without opening up Howard Street to
Hastings Avenue. Establishing redevelopment guidelines would be appropriate for
Sims Way.
Mr. Sepler suggested continuing to do a line by line review and discussion.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next scheduled meeting is January 27, 2011.
COMMUNICATIONS
With Gail Bernard retiring as meeting recorder, Mr. Sepler proposed that there be
recognition of her at the next meeting. That meeting would conclude at 8 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Attest:
Planning Commission Chair
City Clerk's Office