HomeMy WebLinkAbout10311996 Min Ag
.
..
.
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
Council Chambers, 7:00 PM
Workshop Meeting
October 31, 1996
I. ROLL CALL
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 24, 1996
m. COMMUNICATIONS: Current mail
· Letter from John Foley, October 30, 1996
· Memo form Dave Robison, October 28, 1996
· Building & Land Use Permit Status, October 30, 1996
· Greensense newsletter, Fall 1996
· Planning Commission Journal, Fall 1996
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A.
B.
C.
D.
Review of Planning Commission Memo to City Council, October 31, 1996
Review of Planning Commission Recommended Final Draft Ordinances
Comprehensive Plan Annual Amendment Process (Dave Robison)
Planning Commission Procedural Rules Discussion, (Tim McMahan)
V. NEW BUSINESS
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Next Scheduled Meetings
November 14, 1996
December 1Z, 1996
VII. ADJOURN
.- P~-. "'-
.
.
-.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Workshop Meeting
October 31, 1996
L
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Lois Sherwood. Other members in
attendance were Lisa, Enarson, Linda Clifton, Mark Welch, Cindy Thayer and John Boles. Karen
Erickson was excused. Staff members present were Dave Robison, and Tim McMahan.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION
Thayer
Postpone approval of Minutes of October 24, 1996, to next
meeting
SECOND
VOTE
Welch
UNANIMOUS - 6 in favor
III. COMMUNICA nONS: Current Mail, 1996 Planning Commissioners Journal
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A.
Revision to the Parking Code
1. Staff Report (Dave Robison)
2. Commission Discussion and Conclusions
Revision to Fences, Walls, Hedges & Arbors Code
1. Staff Report (Dave Robison)
2. Commission Discussion and Conclusions
Revision to Home Occupation Code
1. Staff Report (Dave Robison)
2. Commission Discussion and Conclusions
B.
c.
Memorandum to Council:
~ Thayer Fences, et al Page 3, #3 (emergency exits. . .)
~ Boles It says "Clarified provision. . ."; this seems ok.
~ Thayer As long as they refer to that.
~ Welch Should be "emergency access" in memo; 050 is fine.
~ Thayer Last paragraph, Page 4 -- add "be" processed.
~ Robison Same paragraph, Page 4 -- would be processed administratively as type 1 permits.
All votes throughout the memorandum would reflect a total attendance of 6 (i.e. 6/0 or 5/1).
~ Clifton Top of Page 4, "Models of practical hedge ordinances. . . ."
~ Robison One of the Commissioners said there may be more creative ways to address the
hedges. I also find that sentence fairly awkward.
·
·
·
Planning Commission Þ.1inutes
October 31, 1996
Page 2
.. Enarson Page 2, Remaining Areas of Concern, Signage . .. "These conflicts could be
reduced if visitors. . . ." Coûld you also add "residents?" Under TDMs almost implies we
were in favor of the TDMs which were mentioned. Page 3, Remaining Areas of Concern,
hedges. Wants City Council to have a clear vision of what our problem was with the height
of hedges recommendation, thinks they should say regulating height of vegetation and we are
recommending exempting landscaping.
~ Thayer Exempting hedges because it can be interpreted as vegetation.
~ Sherwood Because of difficulty in defining.
~ Enarson It became so broad that a lot of lovely landscaping would have had to be
sacrificed. Otherwise it is fine.
MOTION
Enarson
That the Planning Commission accept the cover letter of the
process summary as amended and recommend to City Council
passing the three proposed ordinances.
SECOND
VOTE
Thayer
UNANIMOUS - 6 in favor
Robison requested a volunteer to present the recommendation and three revised ordinances to
City Council. Clifton volunteered to make the presentation.
D.
Planning Commission Procedural Rules Discussion (Dave Robison)
City Attorney McMahan discussed the distinction between the closed record hearing of City
Council and Planning Commission public hearing. Issues raised:
~ Fact Finding: Robison said the Planning Commission can direct Staff to get more
infonnation, that the Commission really does fact finding.
~ Contin~ce: Continue the hearing to have more testimony. McMahan said that is great use
of continuance. Robison said having flexibility to work with an individual is to the City's
best interest; stop the clock and come back.
~ Use of City Attorney: McMahan said on a case-by-case basis, since the Planning
Commission is conducting public hearing. You can't be a fact finder and testifY. You
should not be calling BCD Staff in advance; you can call the City Attorney's office.
~ Recusing: Thought it was my right to recuse myself at any time. McMahan said that is right.
.. Site Inspections: McMahan said to be most conservative; have to disclose for the record what
you did. Cannot do fact finding, just get a better understanding.
.. Disclosure: McMahan said as 'Chair, at the beginning of the meeting, ask if anyone has
anything to disclose. (Site visits can be disclosed at the same time -- do not trespass by
entering the property.)
·
·
·
Planning Commission Minutes
October 31, 1996
Page 3
E. Comprehensive Plan Annual Amendment Process
Robison summarized the annual amendment process stating it is fairly unique to Port
Townsend. He said there are significant implications to the Planning Commission and indicated
since it is procedural they are not required to hold public hearings, but take their amendments to
the City Council. He discussed the process of generating amendments, deadline, fees and the
Regulatory Reform docket.
EnafSon commended BCD for the background and including provision on Page 8 for
review of docket #2, and the suggestion they establish a subcommittee.
Boles said it is very thorough and discussed various concepts for possible reorganization
of the material. He said the staging and wording are well done.
McMahan asked the Commission if they felt overwhelmed by the proposal. Consensus
was they were not.
Robison indicated GIS has the process pretty much laid out and he discussed the
timelines. He said if the Commission is comfortable, he with Boles and the City Attorney's
office will work on the proposed ordinance and forward it to Council.
MOTION
Thayer
Robison, Boles, and City Attorney's Office reorganize the
material and forward it to the City Council.
SECOND
VOTE.
Welch
UNANIMOUS - 6 in favor
V. NEW BUSINESS
Absences:
It was noted it would be good to have some criterion so there could be a record of attendance
and excused or unexcused absences. McMahan said it is pretty customary to allow three
unexcused absences. It was suggested leaving a message with Staff or dropping a note for the
record in case of an absence.
Electiºns:
It was determined to have Planning Commission elections the first of the year.
Rules:
McMahan said they will bring a draft set of rules in the next 30 to 60 days, that there are
some areas where they want Planning Commission input.
~
·
·
·
Planning Commission Minutes
October 31, 1996
Page 4
Testimony:
Enarson asked if she can testify before City Council as a citizen? McMahan said it is
appropriate, that she should identify herself as a citizen.
Reference Documents:
McMahan said they could set up a system tor requesting documents on the list rrom t4e City
Clerk. Robison said if Commissioners bring in their zoning codes they will have them updated.
Role ofHPC:
Robison said the Port Townsend Leader article retèrring to HPC design guidelines was a
little misleading. He said HPC makes recommendations to the Planning Commission.
Assisted Living Care Memo:
Robison referred to Condition #9 and said the Fire Department considered reducing fire
access roads from 20 feet to 10 feet. He noted this will be incorporated into the Findings of
Facts, copied to Commission and the applicant. He stated that one Councilmember listened to
the tape of the public hearing. He said the Planning Commission did a really good job.
VI.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Next Scheduled Meetings
November 14. 1996
December 12. 1996
VII. ADJOURN
Metion te adjeUffi the meeting was made by Thayer and secended by Wekh. All were in favor.
The meeting adjourned 9:25 PM.
µ~
~ú.J~
LOIS Sherwood, ChaIr
Sheila Avis, Minute Taker
.
.
:e
t
\
;t,,"
Guest List
Meeting of:
Purpose:
Date:
Name (plea.e print I Address T estim oníl?
VF~ NO
!
..
';(;;
if F.
\~
.....
-- '."
,~.. """,'-' _....
.,.~,---