HomeMy WebLinkAbout08092001
·
·
·
DRAFT
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 9, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chainnan Larry Harbison called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
II. ROLL CALL
Other members answering roll were Jerry Spieckerman, Jim Irvin, Frank Benskin and Lyn Hersey; Bernie
Arthur was unexcused. Also present were BCD stafImembers Jeff Randall, Judy Surber and John McDonagh.
Alan Youse and Mayor GeoffMasci represented the City Council.
III. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Mr. Irvin made a motion to accept the agenda, and Mr. Spieckennan seconded the motion. All were in
favor.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Spieckennan made a motion to approve the minutes of July 26, 2001 as amended, and Mr. Irvin
seconded. All were in favor.
V. NEW BUSINESS -- Comprehensive Plan Amendment Workshop: Dwellin2 Unit Definitions &
Code Cross-References
BCD StafIPresentation was made by Ms. Judy Surber. She noted the schedule of Comprehensive Plan
amendment workshops listed in her memorandum of August 2,2001 to the Planning Commission and stated the
September 27th date to consider the fonnal amendment proposed by the Northwest Maritime Center was at the
Maritime Center's request. The Commission indicated their preference of having longer and fewer meetings. It was
detennined to leave the meetings as scheduled with the possibility of continued meetings.
AMENDMENT #1 - Clarify definitions of UnitIBedroom and Various Housin2 Types
ATTACHMENT A
Issues raised on definitions regarding dwelling units or dwelling sites:
Accessory structure: Strike -- duplications of accessory building. Mr. Randall also suggested strikeout in the code
for consistency.
Adult family home: Mr. Randall suggested amending to read, ". . .The maximum number of adults to be
accommodated in such a home shall confonn to the requirements of the Washington State Department of Social
and Health Services as it exists now or is hereafter amended. . ."
Bedroom: Clarification -- consistency with the Unifonn Building Code (UBC) that a bedroom has to be
attached to the primary house. UBC regulates by use. Mr. Masci asked if this is going to be way out of
compliance with appraisal standards and suggested including the caveat to require a closet to be consistent. Mr.
Randall indicated they also have the option of deciding a b~droom can be accessory to a single family house.
Dwellin2 Unit: (Ms. Surber's handout.) To be more consistent with the UBC and to better define what a
complete living unit consists of.
Efficiency dwellin2 unit: Much the same as dwelling unit (no distinction in the zoning code from a single
family residence; in the building code the most minimal house you can have -- approximately 400 sq. ft.
including full facilities.)
Family: Noting that it can mean a group of people unrelated by blood or marriage.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 9, 2001
Page 1
DRAFT
Guest House: Policy question -- should detached bedrooms be pennitted in any zone? Reference made to
requirements for Accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Guest houses are prohibited in the zoning code; BCD
proposed adding guest house or detached bedroom in the use table and explicitly saying "prohibited." Mr.
Spieckennan was bothered by the restriction. Mr. Randall said the proposal is that should be an ADU. Mr. .
Spieckennan asked with a kitchen and bathroom and everything else? He strongly recommended removing the
language as a requirement. BCD feels a decision needs to be made one way or the other.
Halfway House: Mr. Spieckennan raised the issue that there are other kinds of halfway houses. Mr. Randall
indicated they are a prohibited use within the city.
Institution. educational: Housekeeping change to "schools."
Nursinl!. rest. or convalescent home: Ms. Surber referenced her handout: ". . . means an establishment
licensed by the State to provide full time complex or chronic care for seven or more individuals who by reason
of chronic illness or infinning are unable to care for themselves." "Seven or more" differentiates- this from an
adult family home. Mr. Randall felt Alzheimer units fit better in this category. Mr. Masci questioned, "Such
care shall not include surgical, obstetrical or acute illness services." He pointed out Medicare restrictions which
would impact that prohibition. "Services" was pointed out as a key word. Mr. Masci suggested this wording is
out of compliance with medical reality, and suggested they might say "scheduled surgical care" to allow for
emergency services, or such wording as "These facilities shall not contain an operating room."
Planned unit development or PUD: Clarification - additional wording pointing out that through a PUD you
can exceed the base density of the underlying zoning district, and also to change the units per structure.
Townhouse or row house: Mr. Randall suggested the definition should be changed to five or more.
Residential treatment facility: -- See Attachment C
ATTACHMENT B (No changes yet.)
Assisted Livinl! Facility: Listed in the comprehensive plan, but not in the zoning code. Decide whatever they
are called, they are consistent throughout. Adult care homes are allowed in all residential districts; nursing home
is not.
Dwellinl! units: To make sure they are the same in both the zoning code and the comprehensive plan.
ATTACHMENT C - Table 17.16.020
Single-Family Residential Uses: _
Efficiency dwellinl! unit: Deleted. Mr. Randall clarified someone could build a very small house that meets _
the definition of efficiency dwelling unit -- it's a single family dwelling.
Multifamily Residential Uses:
Apartment houses: Insert #1 to reflect four dwelling units per structure could be modified through PUD
approval.
Boardinl!houses: Proposed separating from lodging houses. Permitted in all four zones. Consistent with
definition offamily. Now no cap on number of boarders, and permitted outright. Changed to six or fewer
roomers.
Lodl!inl! houses: Not pennitted in R-I and R-II zones. Intensity of use, (potentially one car per lodger).
Changed to 7 or more roomers.
Nursinl!. rest or convalescent homes:
Residential treatment facilities includinl! 2roup homes for the disabled: City Attorney suggested to strike
the note and insert language in handout, "Group homes for disabled are protected by State and Federal law and
cannot be treated differently from residential structures occupied by a family."
Townhouses or rowhouses: Mr. Masci asked why not allowed in the R-II zone. Mr. Randall suggested the
definition should be changed to 5 or more.
Accessory Uses:
Detached office/artists studio: Insert #2 - to allow home occupations in detached structures, consistent with
the residential zone. Home occupation regulatións limit the size. Mr. Masci thought "artists studio" opened a
caD ofwonns. "Detached office/studio was suggested." Ms. Hersey noted two different things -- someone
building an office or studio for business, and somebody building a studio or office for recreational purposes.
She suggested they be defined in both categories; give it to both so we don't have the issue. Mr. Randall
suggested commercial versus non-commercial. Mr. Spieckennan suggested, "Commercial use subject to home
occupation regulatiöns." Ms. Hersey repeated that it needed to be defined clearly in both categories separately
(maybe a building to store tools or an office, and then wanting to run a business out of it).
.
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 2
August 9, 2001
;-
DRAFT
.
Other Uses
Schools. Hi!!her Education: Prohibited [Xl in R-I and R-Il zones; Conditional Use [C] in R-IIl and R-IV
zones. Intensity of college is greater. Elementary - high schools are a service to the general community and
people living next to them. College is an option, a destination and not as closely tied to the neighborhood. Not
a lot ofR-III and R-IV available; they are conditional in P/OS; not pennitted in P/OSE and permitted outright
in P-I zones -- could go for a rezone in P-I.
PROBLEM AREAS IN A TT ACHMENTS A-C:
1. What do YOU call a house with two separate kitchens not cut off by the original house? Mr. Glenn
Norcross pointed out it can be defined in a court of law by putting a lock on a door; when you stop access
from one side to the other you change the whole thing -- it is a home with two kitchens. When that lock is
on one side, you change the whole thing. Mr. Randall asked when does it become an ADU; an ADU has
separation issues: I-hour ceiling, I-hour walls. Ms. Hersey suggested using the building code requiring a
I -hour firewall for someone wanting two separate kitchens. Mr. Randall said they need a definition of
kitchen. In the past it was defined as the oven; the oven/range is when it becomes a kitchen. Presently,
with the second kitchen, it becomes and is regulated as an ADU. They can I-hour it, still use if for one
family, but ifthey wanted to build a second ADU they couldn't do that. If they don't call it an ADU, they
can't require the fire protection. Mr. Randall suggested that the other things plus the oven/range defines the
kitchen; when you get enough living facilities in a structure or in a space, it becomes a dwelling unit, and
that is what they are trying to define.
Suggestions included:
Mr. Masci supported Mr. Norcross' suggestion; when a kitchen is walled off, the decision is made for
you, it is a dwelling unit. It isn't, if there is no barrier or anything.
Mr. Norcross: define the kitchen, have the 220 range top (once you have hard wired it, it is obvious
you have just made it a kitchen) -- define it to the maximum.
Mr. Spieckennan: include in the building permit -- subject to and agree to the review process.
Mr. Masci: inspection on sale.
Ms. Hersey: complying to the codes is a safety issue -- require a I-hour firewall up front.
Mr. Randall said if there is concern about people's rights to have multiple kitchens, they could have a
definition: the dwelling unit has all the facilities and is separated by a wall or a door they lock from any
other dwelling unit in the house with its own separate egress or ingress or to a hall. If they have these
illegally, BCD would have to go in afterwards and force them to retrofit, or if they already have an ADU
and have illegally converted something, make them tear it out.
Ms. Surber asked ifthe definition of kitchen is -- oven range requiring 220 voltage or propane, you
could have a second kitchen that would have everything but that, then if you had an ADU would you
necessarily have to have a 220 range?
.
2. Can someone build a guest house/detached bedroom without kitchen facilities? The Use Table now does
not allow; you would have to make either an office or an ADU. Mr. Spieckerman felt accessory structures
that contain bedrooms should be pennitted. Mr. Benskin questioned sanitation facilities. Ms. Surber said
you would have to have a bathroom, but if you added a kitchen, it would become an ADU. Mr. Harbison
asked if kitchen facilities should be the evaluator they should be using for a detached bedroom. Mr.
Spieckennan did not see any reason to require sanitary facilities.
Mr. Randall asked who thinks it would be O.K. in the code as an accessory use to a single, family
dwelling to have bedrooms. Four out offive approved with reservations regarding sanitation facilities.
Mayor Masci stated he had come to address concerns regarding the home occupation ordinance. He
asked to interrupt the agenda to allow him to do this as he had to leave.
HOME OCCUPATION ORDINANCE. PTMC 17.56
Mr. Masci spoke of the process evolution stating that some 20 years ago home occupations were
defined by use. Mr. Dave Robison infonned him that in 1996 the ordinance was the most liberal in the State of
Washington. Mr. Masci said'in 1999 the use of his home occupation was out of compliance, but the City did not
notify him.
.
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 3
August 9, 2001
DRAFT
Mr. Masci made the followin~ points in reference to PTMC Chapter 17.56:
17.56.020 Permits required. (Wrong kind of permit.) You are dealing with a building pennit -- it should be a
business pennit which could be regulated more flexibly and equitably, and not be a BCD problem. Think about
separating it and making a business function. You can put caveats on it to take care of complaints; you could issue a .
provisional pennit for 3 years with a I-year renewal based on complaints -- if the neighbors complain, you review it ..
yearly. If you achieve 3 years with minimal number of complaints (you set a threshold), it is fine; review
complaints for validity, and count egregious violations only.
17.56.030 Application process, Item D, Limitations. Only one pennit at one time --limits two people in a
household from having different home occupations. Limits economic activity, the ability of hiring people, etc.
Proposed text amendment.
17.56.060 Required conditions.
A (Eliminate -- contradicts E) Totally unfair, i.e., you make a sun room to expand your waiting
room -- you are not allowed to do that because it's related to your home business.
C Becomes a problem if the business grows and you have to move it to a commercial building.
Anti -economic development.
F So as not to make the list prescriptive, insert such things as, ". . .(e.g., paintings, crafts or
artwork, and hair care products incidental to a beauty salon, vitamins, orosthetic devices, etc..). . ."
H ". . . only two commercial pickups or deliveries per day are pennitted." Strike, not realistic.
J "Except for three non-resident workers, . .." (Is limiting.) Home businesses are supposed to
be incubators for success to provide income for the community and employment for people.
K "No more than one worker vehicle may be parked on-street, . .." (Unrealistic and unfair.)
Discriminatory to small business which are less able to absorb this type of restriction than commercial
districts. Also impacts "three non-resident workers" (J above).
L "Home occupations that OCCUPy more than 500 sauare feet. . ." Mr. Randall pointed out that
cannot be modified; it is a UBC, a state requirement, and is only included as a cross-reference. UBC says
commercial business occurring in residential space that exceeds 500 square feet shall provide fire safety
separation between the two -- I-hour wall, I-hour door.
N "No production, generation of any hazardous substance, or storage of any hazardous waste
shall be pennitted;" That would mean doctors, photographers, architects could not have a home
occupation, yet it has always been an assumption those professions would be allowed. (Not applicable .
unless you put some caveat that photographic, medical supply, medical waste is exempted.)
17.56.070 Minimum standards -- Minor Home Occupations.
If you differentiate between minor and major, it is some kind of zoning or building issue. If you
switch to business, you don't have to deal with this. Suggested the following if you leave this in:
A Leave
B Eliminate the 800 square foot.
C Eliminate ". . . five customer vehicle trips per day;" (is destructive to success.)
D "One sign identifying. . . three square feet. .." Six square feet and three si~ns is better -- two faces on
a corner lot. No electric signs; signs could be reviewed.
17.56.80 Minimum standards -- Major Home Occupations.
Problems created between minor and major home occupations:
A "... within 1 00' of an arterial or collector street;" Why not 200'?
B "No other maior home occupation may exist within 300 feet of the propertv;" Uptown -- Starrett
House, Annapurna Inn and Ravenscroft Inn are all on adjacent lots. Enforcement issues -- i.e, parking,
etc.
C "... 12 customer trips per day;"
D "Maximum floor area. . . shall not exceed 50% . .." Should be detennined by the construction of the
building, not by an arbitrary number of square footage. It is losing site of the goals which are to
encourage business, to allow people the most flexibility to be successful. With the Home Occupation
act you can't track it; if you have a business license, you can tax them -- that is the difference.
G "Off-street parking may be required if on-street parkin~ for the home occupation ~ inadeauate or
would be detrimental to the nei~hborhood." Has to do with the nature of a specific thing.
.
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 4
August 9,2001
,.
·
·
·
DRAFT
17.50.090 Permit administration and enforcement. As a business -- you can check it out if it becomes a condition
of issuing a license. You can be review it, and it can be controlled if something changes, and we can collect taxes.
We can be more flexible and still have control over the development of growth and the uses of the neighborhood if
we approach it from a business model standpoint.
Answering Ms. Hersey's question of how the Planning Commission can move this forward, Mr. Masci
stated home occupations are allowable in residential neighborhoods per application of business licenses and will fit
the criteria of the business license ordinance; then it is up to BCD people to come up with the criteria. A lot of them
will shift over from this ordinance. It becomes more of a financial issue than a building issue. It changes the
paradigm and allows you to get those businesses that are soft and non-conforming and non-impacting into our
economy.
Mr. Randall explained, one thing Mr. Masci was saying, if you have zoning regulations and a conditional
use pennit process that is fairly strict, e.g. limitations on trips, employees, and parking, it is forcing people
underground. Mr. Irvin indicated they want to make this as flexible as possible, but there are impacts to the
residential neighborhood. Mr. Spieckennan noted that home occupation restrictions should really be about
protecting the neighborhood. He said if he buys a house in a certain area, that is what he wants it remain.
Mr. Randall pointed out there will be a public hearing on this. Mr. Spieckennan felt too many of these
issues were over-regulated. He suggested regulating safety issues, building codes, issues that impact the
neighborhood -- e.g., how many buildings, the size, etc., and said who cares if they sleep in it, put in an office or an
artist's studio?
Problem areas in Attachments A-C (continued)
3. Sanitation and cooking devices in detached office. regulated as an ADD. Mr. Randall answered Mr.
Benskin that it would have to be attached to a water and sewer source, the city's main line directly and pay
SDCs, or the side sewer; an ADU can be either attached or detached from the main house.
Definition of congregate living arrangement. Ms. Surber will do more research for definitions from those who
run these facilities. Mr. Randall indicated if they say assisted living facilities should be treated like a
nursing/rest/or convalescent home, they would not be allowed in R-I or R-Il zones; Mr. Harbison, it is how they
fit in these zones. It is not the distinction of a complete cooking facility. Mr. Randall explained if they want
them in R-II as conditional use, they do get into this issue, that the Comprehensive Plan is not clear and they
have to decide when they have to be broken up into separate structures not to exceed four dwelling units per
structure. He said if you want these buildings broken up, if you don't want these big, monolithic assisted living
facilities in R-II, and there will be more, you should just say that these are basically dwelling units. Mr.
Benskin and Ms. Hersey concurred with the idea of dwelling units. Mr. Irvin disagreed saying he supported the
definition when you have a communal kitchen and dining room, and it is for the express purpose of congregate
care, those units should not be defined as individual dwelling units and therefore be subject to being broken up;
Mr. Randall, they are oriented around that common facility, even though they might have some amenities in
their room. Mr. Irvin recognized that a lot of people don't want them in their back yard, but they are coming
and we need to detennine where to put them. Mr. Harbison indicated the problem is, if they do consider them
congregate care, and not consider them individual units, they have to detennine how much size they are willing
to see in R-II. Mr. Randall concurred, ifthey allow them in R-II; they tend to be big and don't like to break
them up because they are so reliant on those common facilities. Then maybe they should be allowed in R-III,
R-IV or do a PUD which would give a little more flexibility and they could still be required to do some
breaking up. Prohibiting them in R-II deals with a lot of the problem, treating them like a nursing home. If you
do them in R-II with a PUD, you have to do density calculations. There is limited R-III and R-IV property, and
so few that are set with the proper infrastructure. Adding the PUD to the R-II would need to be indicated in the
code.
Consensus: Allow in R-Il with a PUD and identify the density calculations.
5. Businesses pennitted in R-I and R-II zoning districts. Mr. Randall pointed out they had fixed the townhouse
situation.
6. Calculation of parking in use tables. Ms. Surber said they would deal with the parking code later.
7. Difference between congregate care. assisted living, nursing/rest/convalescent home. grQ!!Q home. residential-
treatment facilities? Ms. Surber explained that "group home" is state and federally protected. She referenced a
Supreme Court ruling in Pasco where they could not require a special use pennit, we call a conditional use Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 August 9,2001
DRAFT
pennit. City Attorney Watts is reviewing that case and says the City may have to change its codes to allow
group homes to be pennitted outright in all zones. She said in that case they want to tighten up the definition of
group homes; she will have recommendations in time for the hearing. Now the definition for residential
treatment facilities is broad. The Use Table says residential treatment facilities and group homes are together, ...
nursing and convalescent homes are broken out separately. Residential-treatment facilities elsewhere in the
code are pennitted, in the C-Il Hospital zone. Residential-treatment facility is not the same as group homes, not
federally/state protected. Mr. Benskin questioned the definitions for residential-treatment and for halfway
house. Mr. Surber said she and Mr. Watts are looking at it more as a halfway house. There was discussion
regarding several of those definitions that are separated in the Use Table. Mr. Harbison suggested reference to
recovery and transitional, and said that it appears the definition of halfway house clearly indicates that it is
transitional housing from a more custodial confinement. Mr. Randall added that it is involuntary. Ms. Surber
then said the one thing they don't have covered now is the drug and alcohol recovery; Mr. Harbison reiterated
that it is recovery and transitional housing. Mr. Spieckennan added mental health. Mr. Benskin said rather than
pennitting outright in R-I and R-Il there should be some kind of process to notify neighbors what is going on --
some kind of license, pennit or Í1úonnation process and regulation of it. Ms. Surber asked if mental health,
drug, and alcohol transitional, and sex offenders would all be the same kind of concern? Mr. Benskin said they
wouldn't be the same kind of people, but the same kind of consideration for the neighborhood should apply.
Ms. Surber said she would find some way to differentiate residential-treatment facility from the rest.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
I. Draft Cottage Housing Ordinance
2. Draft SEP A Dwelling Unit Exemption Ordinance
3. Proposed Text Amendments to Home Occupation Ordinance PTMC 17.56
4. Draft Amendments to Wireless Facilities Regulations
It was detennined to forego further discussion on the ordinances listed above due to a lack of time.
Mr. Randall said BCD would schedule a public hearing for the August 30 meeting. It was detennined to
convene the hearing at 6:00 p.m and to continue the hearing if there was not sufficient time to hear all four draft
ordinances on August 30th. Public testimony and deliberation on ordinances requiring less attention, e.g. Nos. 4 and .
2, will be considered first.
V. UPCOMING MEETINGS
August 30,2001 -- 6:00 p.m.
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
1) Memo to City Council from City Attorney John Watts re New Open Meetings Act
2) Jefferson County Planning Commission Meeting regarding Major Industrial Developments (Mills),
August 15, 2001, 7:00 p.m. WSU extension in Hadlock. Mr. Randall encouraged Planning
Commission members to attend but asked that they not constitute a quorum.
IX ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Benskin and seconded by Mr. Irvin. All were in
favor. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Larry Harbison, Chainnan
Sheila Avis, Minute Taker
.
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 6
August 9, 2001
~1'
·
City of Port Townsend
Department of Building and Community Development
Waterman-Katz Building
181 Quincy Street, Suite 301, Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-5081 FAX (360) 385-7675
... .¡.
Staff Report
Date:
To:
From:
Subject:
August 23 submittal for Public Hearing on August 30,2001
Port Townsend Planning Commission
John McDonagh, Planner (379-5085)
Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to
PTMC Chapters 17.08 (Definitions) and Chapter 17.78 (Wireless Facilities).
BACKGROUND
The proposed amendments to Chapters 17.08 and 17.78 are being sought to exempt certain types
of next generation wireless antennas rrom review under the city's code. Specifically, these
antennas are very small in size (not bigger than a 16-inch rectangle), low-powered and operated
by unlicensed communication providers of wireless internet, fax and data services. Unlicensed
radio equipment by definition requires no FCC license to install or operate. Chapter 17.78
presently makes no distinction between these types of antennas and traditional cell phone
antennas and equipment, which are considerably larger. The effect of the wireless code, as
currently written, will hinder the creation of wireless networks for the distribution of Internet
data.
· Workshops with the Planning Commission regarding the proposed amendments were held
October 12, 2000 and January 25,2001. Minutes from both of these meetings are attached for
your review.
PROPOSAL
Staff, in working with a local Internet provider, has drafted a series of amendments to various
sections of the Wireless Facilities chapter (Chapter 17.78) and the definitions section of the
zoning code (Chapter 17.08.040) that should adequately cover the various sizes & types of these
antennas that may arise. A draft ordinance is attached, with the sections proposed for amendment
shown in strikethrough and underline.
·
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO PTMC CHAPTER 17.08.040 - DEFINITIONS, AND
CHAPTER 17.78 - WIRELESS FACILITIES
Ordinance No.
.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTERS 17.08 (DEFINITIONS) AND 17.78
(WIRELESS FACILITIES) OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE
TO EXPAND THE TYPES OF PERMITTED WIRELESS FACILITIES.
SECTION 1
FINDINGS
Whereas, *
Whereas, *
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the foregoing and upon the record before the Port
Townsend Planning Commission and City Council, the City Council does hereby ordain as
follows: .
PTMC 17.08.040 - Definitions
"Low power facility" means a licensed or unlicensed personal wireless service facility with a
maximum transmitter peak output power that does not exceed the limits for such as set forth
by the Federal Communications Commission. one '..vat!, Other than the antenna, all associated
equipment for low powered facilities must be i&-Iess than 14 by 16 inches in length and width .
and eight inches in depth. including all associated equipment, and may have an Low powered
facility antennas have with a length not to exceed 30 inches, a width not to exceed 5 inches
and a depth not to exceed 4 inches. Low powered facilities mounted on street poles in
developed street rights-of-way are subiect to the provisions of Chapter 17.78.1 OO(D).
PTMC 17.78.020 Scope and applicability - Exemptions.
A. Scope. This chapter applies to the location, placement, construction and modification of
licensed or unlicensed personal wireless service facilities as defined in this chapter. In
addition to any other required permits, all proposals to locate, place, construct or modifY a
personal wireless facility shall require a wireless permit as further set forth in this chapter;
provided, however, that this chapter does not apply to personal wireless facilities located
completely and entirely inside a building, as that term is defined in this chapter.
B. Exemptions. The following personal wireless service facilities are exempt from the
provisions of this chapter:
1. Federal, state or local personal wireless facilities used for temporary emergency
communications in the event of a disaster, emergency preparedness and public health
or safety purposes;
2. Two-way communication transmitters used by fire, police, and emergency aid or
ambulance services;
.
·
3. Citizen band radio transmitters and antennas or antennas operated by federally licensed
amateur ("ham") radio operators;
4. Unlicensed. low-powered. wireless communication antennas designed for mounting
onto a structure. other than a street pole. the size of which does not exceed that as
defined in 17.08.040. In addition. this exemption does not apply to those unlicensed
facilities that would be located on buildings. structures. or street poles subject to the
jurisdiction of the city's Historic Preservation Committee (HPC). In such cases. the
proposed unlicensed facility placement must receive a certificate of design review
trom the HPC prior to it's installation;
5. Emergency or routine repairs, reconstruction, or routine maintenance of previously
approved facilities, or replacement of transmitters, antennas, or other components of
previously approved facilities which do not create a change in visual impact or an
increase in radio frequency emissions levels;
6. Military and civilian radars and marine vessel traffic. communication facilities,
operating within FCC regulated frequency ranges, for the purpose of defense, marine
or aircraft safety;
7. Temporary personal wireless service facilities; provided, that the city is notified in
advance of the need for such facilities and the duration of their use; and
8. Existing facilities, subject to the requirements ofPTMC 17.78.150.
PTMC 17.78.100 Review process - Preferred locations - Secondary locations - Low
powered facilities - Variances.
A. General Provisions.
·
1. Comments. The BCD director may solicit comments from the public works director,
building official, local utility providers, adjacent jurisdictions if the proposal is within
one mile of another city or jurisdiction, the Washington State Department of
Transportation (if the proposal is adjacent to a state highway), and any other state,
local or federal officials as necessary.
2. Findings and Conclusions. Based upon comments from city departments and
applicable agencies and all other pertinent information in the record, the decision-
maker shall make written findings and conclusions documenting compliance with all
approval criteria. Approval and design criteria are found in PTMC 17.78.110 through
17.78.120. Required conditions of approval are contained in PTMC 17.78.130.
B. Preferred Locations - Review Process - Additional Notice Required. An application for the
siting of personal wireless service facilities in a preferred location shall be processed
according to the procedures for Type II land use decisions established in Chapter 20.01
PTMC, Land Development Administrative Procedures, as an administrative permit with
notice and appealable to the hearing examiner, except as follows. The notice of application
and notice of an appeal of a Type II action shall be mailed to the latest recorded real
property owners as shown by the records of the county assessor within at least 1,000 feet
(for monopoles and macro-facilities) or 300 feet (for mini-facilities and micro-facilities) of
the boundary of the property upon which the development is proposed.
C. Secondary Locations - Additional Notice Required. An application for personal wireless
service facilities siting shall be processed according to the criteria for the particular type of
permit set forth in PTMC 17.78.090 through 17.78.100 and as provided in Chapter 20.01
·
PTMC, Land Development Administration Procedures. The decisionmaker on Type II
pennits wiH be the BCD director. The decision-maker on Type III/conditional use permits
wiH be the hearing examiner due to the special expertise involved in these applications.
Type III/conditional use permits, will also be subject to the review criteria set forth in
Chapter 17.84 PTMC, Conditional Uses, and the design review and approval criteria set in .
PTMC 17.78.110 through 17.78.120. In addition, for all permits requiring public notice, the .
notice of application and notke of public hearing shan be mailed to the latest recorded real
property owners as shown by the records of the county assessor within at least 1,000 feet
(for monopoles and macro-facilities) or 300 feet (for mini-facilities or micro-facilities) of
the boundary of the property upon which the development is proposed.
D. Low Power Licensed and Unlicensed Facilities. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, low power licensed and unlicensed facilities mounted on street poles in developed
street rights-of-way may be permitted in all zoning districts (including residential) and
processed as Type I, administrative review process, pursuant to Chapter 20.01 PTMC;
provided, however, that such facilities remain subject to any franchising or licensing fees
established by the city council. Low power licensed and unlicensed personal wireless
service facilities are defined as facilities with a maximum transmitter peak output power that
does not exceed the limits for such as set forth by the Federal Communications
Commission. one watt, Other than the antenna. all associated equipment for low powered
facilities must be is-less than 14 by 16 inches in length and width and eight inches in depth.
including all associated equipment, and may have an Low powered facility antennas have
with a length not to exceed 30 inches, a width not to exceed 5 inches and a depth not to
exceed 4 inches.
1. Low power licensed and unlicensed facilities on new street poles. The placement of
low power licensed or unlicensed facilities on new street poles in developed street .
rights-of-way shall be processed as a Type II administrative review process, pursuant
to Chapter 20.01 PTMC, with mailed notice to adjacent property owners within 1,000
feet of the proposal.
E. Historic Preservation Committee Review. No personal wireless service facility. including
those exempted pursuant to PTMC 17.78.020.B.4. that is proposed to sflall-be located on
buildings, structures, or street poles subject to the jurisdiction of the city's Historic
Preservation Committee (HPC) pursuant to Chapters 2.72,17.30 and 17.80 PTMC, and no
city permit or approval for such an activity shall be placed or put into service be issued
unless a certificate of design review has been issued by the HPC and all other city permits or
approvals for such an activity have been obtained.
F. Variance Procedure. Any applicant may request that the requirements established by this
chapter be modified. Such request shall be processed according to the procedures for
variances in Chapter 20.01 PTMC, and shall satisfy the criteria of Chapter 17.86 PTMC,
Variances. In addition to the approval criteria ofPTMC 17.86.050, in granting any variance
the decisionmaker must also find that: (1) there are no increased noise, aesthetic or safety
impacts on adjoining properties as a result of the proposed variance; and (2) in the case of a
historic building or structure, the variance wiH continue to allow for effective concealment,
disguise or camouflaging of the facilities. The decisionmaker shall not grant a variance from
the provisions of this chapter which establish the allowed, conditional and prohibited uses
within the various zoning districts.
.
·
·
·
SECTION 3
TRANSMITTAL TO OCD
The City Clerk shall transmit a copy of this Ordinance to the State Office of Community
Development within 10 days of adoption of this ordinance.
SECTION 4
EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in the
manner provided by law.
SECTION 5
SEVERABILITY
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this Ordinance or its application to any
person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such order or judgment shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the
remainder of any part of this ordinance. To this end, the provisions of each clause, sentence,
paragraph, section or part of this law are declared severable.
Read for the first, second, and third times and adopted by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 18th day of June, 2001.
GeoffMasci, Mayor
Attest:
Approved as to Form:
Pamela Kolacy, City Clerk
John Watts, City Attorney
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 Jeff Randall 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 Staff 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 Watemont District and the National Historic District which also
e
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.
Ouestions from 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.,j
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
evemng
·
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 3
October 12, 2000
·
·
·
SECOND .
VOTE
Mr. Arthur
Passed unanimously,S 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 from 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 from 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 oflarge 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
Page 5
October 12, 2000
·
·
·
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
Page 6
October 12, 2000
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 25,2001
·
I. CALL TO ORDER
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 Bernie Arthur and Frank Benskin. Jim Irvin,
Karen Erickson, Christine Ota, and Jerry Spieckerman were excused. BCD staff
members present were Jeff Randall and John McDonagh.
III. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Motion to accept the agenda was made by Mr. Arthur and seconded by Mr.
Benskin. All were in favor.
IV. APPROV AL OF MINUTES
Mr. McDonagh indicated that since the minutes of November 30,2000 had not
been included in Commission packets, they would therefore be reviewed for approval at
the next meeting.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - There was none.
VI.
NEW BUSINESS -- Workshop: Discussion of the following Code Amendments:
·
A. Chapter 20.01 - Administration of Land Use Regulations
Background: The proposed changes would alter the way in which BCD
processed Type III land use applications. As proposed, all Type III applications would
be subject to a public hearing before the Hearing Examiner, rather than the Planning
Commission.
Mr. Arthur stated he was satisfied with the information as presented. Discussion
followed regarding the benefits of a Hearing Examiner. Mr. Randall pointed out the new
role of the Planning Commission would allow the Commission to do more long-range
planning. He noted that the new Hearing Examiner has a good record, and he felt he
would do a good job. Mr. McDonagh stated he would brief those members who are
absent on the changes to the appeal process suggested by City Attorney Watts before the
public hearing now scheduled for February 22,2001.
B. Chapter 18 - Land Division
Background: The proposed amendments to Chapter J 8 would provide longer
time frames for submittal and approval of final plats and short plats.
Discussion covered pitfalls that now exist and proposals for remedy. Mr.
McDonagh noted the need to accommodate existing development. Both Mr. Benskin and
Mr. Arthur stated they felt the changes were well done.
·
·
·
·
C. Chapter 17 ~ Wireless Facilities
Background: The proposed amendment to Chapter 17.78 is being sought to
exempt certain types of next generation wireless antennas from review under the city's
code.
Discussion included disposal of outdated equipment and questioning regulation
other than for health and safety. Mr. McDonagh spoke of changing technology and the
probability of recurring need to come back for further changes.
VII. UPCOMING MEETINGS
February 22,2001 - Public Hearings for Amendments to Chapters 20.01 and 18
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS - Current Mail
The Peninsula Planner, January 2001
Chair Harbison suggested regarding any available conferences that the
Commission identifY areas of interest. Mr. Arthur expressed his interest in SEP A laws.
Further discussion regarding SEP A laws followed.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Arthur and seconded by Mr.
Benskin. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 P.M.
t%L
,/ . ~CV\
Larry Harðison, Chair
æ~¡f~
Sheila Avis, Minute Taker
2