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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03111999 Min Ag . CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA Council Chambers, 7:00 PM Workshop Meeting I. Call to Order II. Introduction of new Planning Commission Member: Christine Ota III. Roll Call IV. Acceptance of Agenda V. Approval of Minutes: January 14, 1999 VI. Reports of Committees (not related to applications under consideration) . VII. Unfinished Business VIII. New Business Change in Government (Stan McNutt, City Manager) IX. Other Business Next Scheduled Meetings March 25, 1999 April 8, 1999 April 29, 1999 X. Communications XI. Adjournment . March 11, 1999 . . . PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Workshop Meeting March 11, 1999 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Chair Cindy Thayer II. Introduction of new Planning Commission Member: Christine Ota Chair Thayer introduced Christine Ota, new Planning Commission member. III. Roll Call Members in attendance were Chair Cindy Thayer, Karen Erickson, Lois Sherwood, Nik Worden, Larry Harbison, Len Mandelbaum and Christine Ota. Staff members present were City Manager Stan McNutt and Judy Surber. IV. Acceptance of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda as written was made by Ms. Erickson and seconded by Mr. Mandelbaum. All were in favor. V. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the minutes of January 14, 1999 as written and amended was made by Ms. Sherwood and seconded by Mr. Mandelbaum. All were in favor. VI. Reports of Committees (not related to applications under consideration) There were none. VII. Unfinished Business A Ms. Surber gave a reminder of the AP A Conference, April 24 - 28, Seattle. · · · Planning Commission MÌnutes March 1 I, 1999 Page 2 VIII. New Business A Change in Government (Stan McNutt, City Manager) Mr. McNutt reported that wìth the recent change to Councìl-Manager system there wìIl be virtually no change for the Plannìng Commission, wìth the exception the Council Rules being reworked provide for better communication and a liaison to the Planning Commission. He pointed out it does not change how the Planning Commission works, but changes the capability of communicating wìth the City Councìl to provide better understanding. Mr. McNutt said this is one commission where there is no ordinance change necessary and asked if there was anything the Planning Commission wìshed to have changed. Chair Thayer asked regarding the liaison appointed to the Planning Commission. Discussion is to follow under the Draft ARTICLE 4 - COMMITTEES, BOARDS, & COMMISSIONS. Mr. McNutt suggested that in years ahead, though there is nothing really pressing, the Planning Commission might want to evaluate wìth BCD and others, the process of comprehensive planning, etc., and the role of quasi-judicial hearings that could be done by the Hearings Examiner. He said there are some things being referred to the Planning Commission that a Hearings Examiner would normally do. Ms. Surber enumerated Type ill, conditional use permits, full sub-divisions, planned unit developments, etc. that could go to a Hearings Examiner. Mr. McNutt again pointed out there is nothing critical now, but if it becomes burdensome it is something to consider, especìally if there is a potential of having to serve as a body that prepares, then serves as jury. Things that could result in law suites, the Hearings Examiner process is often easier to defend because you don't get into as much conflict of interest Chair Thayer asked if those types of conditions go to a Hearings Examiner, then basically is the role of the Planning Commission only comprehensive planning? Mr. McNutt suggested that ordinances, and things relating to land use are big issues. Ms. Surber pointed out there is no longer a Land Use Committee, and now those issues wìIl come before the Planning Commission. Mr. McNutt said his experience has been that land use issues always started wìth the Planning Commission; that is why they are commissioned by law. ARTICLE 4 - COMMITTEES, BOARDS, & COMMISSIONS (Draft) Mr. McNutt discussed the draft and said this is all being done on a test basis. 4.2 ". . . Communications, from such boards, commissions and bodies to the City Councìl shall be acknowledged by the Council and receipt noted in the minutes. . . ." Mr. McNutt said even informal communications, if you see the need for an ordinance change that you only suggest, and it is put in your minutes, that gets read and the entire communication is · · · Planning Commission Minutes March 1 I, 1999 Page 3 noted in the minutes so there is a record that the City Council has received the communication. 4.1(b) Mr. McNutt stated the Planning Commission is statutory. He noted the citizen's task force groups and went on to state the liaison role is the assignment of a member of the Council to boards and commissions with the purpose to occasionally attend when it is appropriate, not participate in any way, but as a communications matter between Councìl and the board or commission. Chair Thayer asked how Planning Commission vacancies are filled. Mr. McNutt replied that policy recommending bodies are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. VI. Other Business A Chair Thayer reported three Planning Commission Members attended a recent Planning Conference. B. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process Ms. Surber pointed out 20.04 states the Planning Commission should be reviewing the revision that might be required on an annual basis and that the suggested revisions by done by mid-April. She said the GMA has since been revised to say you can review annually, but you are only required to every 5 years and said Mr. McMahan is planning to discuss the benefits of putting certain labor intensive items off to 5-year increments. Mr. McMahan proposes having an ordinance that will set out criteria. Ms. Surber said at present the annual review is still in effect and formal applications have to go forward. No formal applications have been received; they are due by May 1. There are some suggestions that will probably need to be considered. C. Next Scheduled Meetings March 25, 1999 (Waterman-Katz Building, 3rd floor) April 8, 1999 (City Hall) -- Comprehensive Plan April 29, 1999 (City Hall) X. Communications Current Mail -- there was none. · · · Planning Commission Minutes March 1 I, 1999 Page 4 XI. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Mandelbaum and seconded by Mr. Worden. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned 8: 10 p.m. (J. ( :J !C/""~ /,/" / .;.. ,~tlrr~ Sheila Avis, Minute Taker /~'] ---~¿,'V"- Cindy fhayer, Chair