Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10122000 Min . . . CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 12, 2000 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Larry Harbison called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. II. ROLL CALL Other members answering roll were Jerry Spieckerman, Bernie Arthur, Jim Irvin and Frank Benskin. Christine Ota and Karen Erickson were excused. Also present were BCD staff members JeirRandall and John McDonagh. III. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Appointment of a new Chair for the Planning Commission was questioned and added to the agenda as New Business Item 3. All were in favor of accepting the agenda as amended. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of September 28, 2000 as written and corrected was made by Mr. Arthur and seconded by Mr. Irvin. All were in favor. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - There was none. VI. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed Amendments to PTMC Chapter 2.72 -- Public Hearing Chair Harbison pointed out this proposed amendment is regarding the structure of the Historic Preservation Commission. He called for BCD Stair Planner John McDonagh to make the staff presentation. Mr. McDonagh reported the proposed ordinance would amend Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.72. He noted two previous workshops with the Commission in June and September and stated the intent of the changes is to qualify the City for recognition as a Certified Local Government (CLG). He reminded that CLG status would: . Establish a local register of historic places. This would allow the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) functions to be expanded to accept nominations and to vote whether to include specific properties that lie outside of both the special Urban Waternont District and the National Historic District which also Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 October 12, 2000 · extends into uptown. It would basically allow any properties that lie within the city limits of Port Townsend that met certain criteria based on their architectural integrity, significance, etc., and allow the City to apply for grants from the State Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation. Currently those grants are typically pretty small and are usually limited to educational types of brochures, repayment costs involved with conducting surveys, etc. · Extend the special valuation process the City currently has for properties within the Historic District to those properties that would be listed on the Historic Register. Mr. McDonagh distributed replacement pages 4 and 6 of the draft ordinance with late recommendations from City Attorney Watts. He highlighted changes: · Page 4, Paragraph 5, HPC authority - changed to clearly say the committee initiates recommendations for listing on the Port Townsend Register of Historic Places. (This change is in response to Mr. Arthur's question regarding what happens when HPC makes a nomination - is that final, or is that something that is ultimately the BCD Director's call? It is a recommendation to BCD just as it is on any of their other current decisions.) · Page 6, 2.c., line 4, -- to correct typographical error, "the" is stricken. Also added at the end ofline 4," ... for the BCD Director's decision on the nomination, ..." · Mr. McDonagh stated although he invited HPC members, none had been able to attend this meeting, but this is draft ordinance was reviewed by the HPC. The CLG coordinator from the State Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation has also reviewed this draft~ she has indicated if this worked out, it would satisfy their criteria for granting CLG status to Port Townsend. Chair Harbison asked if any Commission members wished further review. · Questions trom Planning Commission: Mr. Spieckerman: You have removed the word "maintained." Who now maintains the list? Mr. McDonagh: It would be BCD -- the HPC via the Building and Community Development Department. We could modify that paragraph 5 a little further to make sure. Mr. Spieckerman: The previous writing said it would be the Historic Preservation Committee that would maintain the list. So what do you do with "maintain"? Mr. McDonagh: It would be BCD. Maybe some additional clarification in that paragraph would be good -- " . . . the official register shall be . . . " Mr. Harbison: So it would not be the committee? Mr. McDonagh: Really anything HPC does and maintains anyway is in effect. Mr. Harbison: If this refers to the Historic Preservation Committee, in essence we are talking about that responsibility in the end lying with BCD. Mr. Spieckerman: Does that seem necessary to be included there? Mr. McDonagh: It is something of a minor point. Mr. Spieckerman: Is there wording now of who maintains it? Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 12, 2000 · · · Mr. Randall: We don't have one. We could simply add a sentence at the end of the paragraph saying, "The list shall be maintained by BCD." Mr. Spieckerman thought it would probably be worthwhile to clarify who is the holder of the list. Mr. Randall: The HPC, much like yours, acts as a committee. It is rather difficult for a committee to maintain the list. Mr. Irvin: Would it be more appropriate to put that under the register of historic places, 2.72.65 on Page 5? Mr. Harbison: Or is it related to the structure of the committee that needs to be referred to? Mr. Randall: That may not be a big issue for HPC, but it might be an issue for CLG status, that the city is clearly going to maintain those records. Mr. McDonagh suggested adding to Page 4, second line of#5 -" . . .This official register shall be maintained by BCD and compiled of buildings, . . . " Mr. Spieckerman: The only thing I would have against that is that this section is talking about the authority of the HPC. I would suggest that line be added under Section 2.72.65 as paragraph 5, bottom of Page 6, and simply list it there as one line saying, "This list shall be maintained by BCD." Essentially that paragraph is discussing register of historic places and is essentially the list there. Mr. McDonagh suggested adding a new Section 5 to 2.72.65, Register of Historic Places, saying, "The list of properties on the local Register of Historic Places shall be maintained by BCD." Public Testimony: At 7: 17 p.m. Chair Harbison called for Public Testimony. There was no public testimony~ Chair Harbison closed public testimony and asked for Commission discussion. Commission Discussion: Mr. Arthur: We had talked about dispute resolution. Mr. McDonagh: HPC recommendations, as changes have indicated, go to the BCD Director for his final approval. BCD Director's Type IA decisions on HPC recommendations may be appealed to the Hearings Examiner. Mr. Arthur: So we don't need anything in here. There is a structure. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS: . 2.72.65, Register of Historic Places, adding a new Section 5 saying, "The list of properties on the local Register of Historic Places shall be maintained by BCD." . Ordinance Title changed to read " . . . State Office of Archeology . . ." MOTION Mr. Spieckerman Send the ordinance to City Council as amended this everung Planning Commission Minutes October 12,2000 Page 3 · · · SECOND VOTE Mr. Arthur Passed unanimously, 5 in favor Mr. McDonagh reported there has been discussion the federal Department of Interior proposed in its budget and it just passed Congress to have a substantially greater sum of money that would trickle down to state governments for their CLG programs. It looks like they are going to have more monies for capital projects or larger projects than just simple brochures and educational types of grants. 2. Workshop on amendments to: a. PTMC 17.78, Wireless Facilities Mr. McDonagh introduced Mr. Ned Schuman, a local businessman and owner of OL YMPUSNET, and he said a lot of these changes have actually come about with suggestions trom Mr. Schuman who served on the Wireless Facilities subcommittee and was very involved when the city was working on drafting its ordinance. Mr. McDonagh stated the purpose of the changes is to help deal with the wireless technology which is changing very rapidly and new technology which is emerging. He spoke of impacts and outlined changes needed to the Port Townsend Wireless Facility ordinance by this changing and emerging technology. Mr. Schuman showed a sample of the very small antennas, approximately 16 inches square, that would make wireless internet, fax, modem and data services available at your home. Mr. McDonagh explained that if the City makes these exempt from our Wireless Facilities code, it is going to be exempt trom SEP A review. He said that someone could go to a provider, sign up and follow the instruction manual on how to mount this antenna under the eave of their roof and point it in the proper direction to receive this service. Most antennas, microcells, on the horizon of this type of service fall well within the size definitions spelled out in the WACs. They cover a wide range of services, beyond just the type service OL YMPUSNET may expand into. Mr. McDonagh turned the workshop over to Mr. Schuman who distributed copies of his comments and made his presentation. Mr. Nick Worden who also served on the committee was present and joined in the discussion following the presentation. It was noted, Mr. Worden and Mr. John Watson, also of the committee, reviewed the draft changes. Mr. McDonagh indicated this is being put out for Commission information~ BCD will be refining it and bringing it back around the end of year. Chair Harbison requested Commission members to contact BCD of any comments they have in reading through the material. Mr. McDonagh and Mr. Randall concurred. b. PTMC 18, Land Division Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 October 12, 2000 . . . McDonagh stated the proposed changes regarding phased development more or less mirror those in Clark County. Mr. Randall spoke to the issues of time limitation on final plat submittals and time extensions. He spoke of two PUD's which would very soon be affected by impacts of the current time limitations, Lynsfield and Hamilton Heights. During discussion that followed, Mr. Arthur stated that developers in Port Townsend don't have unlimited resources and without extended time limits, you sometimes put development in the hands of large developers who can put it into the existing time frames. He suggested if it is not flexible enough for small developers to develop, they might end up just infilling vacant lots. Mr. McDonagh spoke of the need to act quickly to effect the proposed changes. c. Expansion of a public utility located in the C- III zone. Mr. Randall stated u.s. WEST, now QWEST, has requested expansion of their uptown building located in a C-III zoning district. He said nothing in the zoning code fits their use. Impacts of the current zoning and rezoning were discussed. 3. Appointment of a new Chair for the Planning Commission Vice Chair Harbison said it was requested that consideration be given to election of a new Chairperson for the Commission, in granting the wishes of current Chair Karen Erickson to step down. It was determined it is appropriate to conduct an election of officers, but since Ms. Ota is not present it was felt to withhold an election for a time when the full Commission would be available. VII. UPCOMING MEETINGS October 26, 2000 - Possibly cancelled Mr. Randall introduced Jean Walat, new BCD Staff Planner. Ms. Walat comes to Port Townsend from New Jersey. Chair Harbison again reminded Commissioners to contact BCD with any suggested changes to the proposed amendments considered at this meeting. VIII. COMMUNICATIONS - Current Mail IX. ADJOUIRNMENT Planning Commission Minutes October 12, 2000 Page 5 . . . Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Spieckerman and seconded by Mr. Irvin. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Larry Harbison, Vice Chair Sheila Avis, Minute Taker Planning Commission Minutes October 12, 2000 Page 6