HomeMy WebLinkAbout012612 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 26, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in regular session the 26th day January 2012 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 Julian Ray, Monica Mick-Hager, Jerauld Fry, Gee
Heckscher, and Sarah Bowman with Cate Comerford excused and Steven Emery absent.
Staff members present were Development Services Department Director Rick Sepler,
Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber, Parks and Recreation Manager Jeremy
Bubnick, City Attorney John Watts, and Deputy Clerk Erin Lundgren.
CHANGES TO AGENDA
Motion: Gee Heckscher moved to approve the agenda. Jerauld Fry seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Julie Jaman expressed her feelings that the three minute time limit for all public comments
is not enough time for adequate input and she encouraged the Planning Commission
members to extend that time to allow for more public input.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING RE: 2011 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
DELIBERATIONS, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTINUED
FROM JANUARY 12, 2012)
Chair Ray reopened the public hearing and stated that the testimony portion of the
hearing has been closed. The purpose of this meeting is for the Planning Commission
to deliberate on findings, conclusions and recommendations for all of the 2011
Comprehensive Plan amendments - Group I and II.
Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber presented the staff report and gave an
overview of the changes that have transpired since the last meeting on January 12, 2012.
With regard to item 1.3 to establish an alternative parcel-specific zoning (Beech Street
Rezone - LUP11-027), staff has revised the the findings and conclusions not only to reflect
the City Council's decision to remove the Beech Street rezone, but also in response to a
comment letter that was received regarding the text amendment portion. Staff wants to
clarify that the City's recent inventory of properties that may be suitable for affordable
housing did serve as the catalyst for the proposed text amendment, however, properties
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -January 26, 2012 Page 1 of 6
may also be surplussed for other purposes. While the dual zoning applicaton could be used
for other purposes aside from affordable housing, the property would have to go through the
public process outlined in the municipal code under chapter 3.44 and the City Council would
have to designate a piece of property surplus to the City's needs in order for the dual zoning
to come into effect. Staff also added text to show that P/OS(B) - Mixed public infrastructure
and open space designation would have alternative dual zoning for site-specific parcels.
Staff has removed reference to the P/OS designation because it is not intended to apply to
existing parks and open space.
Four additional comments were received regarding items 2.5 and 2.6 relating to Kah Tai
Lagoon Park Policy Language (LUP11-015) and Kah Tai Lagoon Park Policy Alternative
Language (LUP11-055). Although there were no changes to the staff report regarding these
two amendments, it was pointed out that several citizens have urged the City to be more
explicit about future uses at Kah Tai Nature Park. Staff reiterated that the City is free to
place additional restrictions beyond the 6(f) legal obligations on the City-owned parcels. It
was noted that the City Council recently passed Resolution 11-039 supporting the RCO and
NPS determinations of 6(f) protections for 78.5 acres, based on the project contract the City
and Port signed in 1981 with the state. The staff recommendation provided at the Planning
Commission meeting on January 12, 2012 includes the phrase: "...Those portions of city
owned land within the 6(f) boundary are dedicated and shall be maintained as Kah Tai
Lagoon Nature Park." -In the draft parks plan the classification for Kah Tai Lagoon
Nature Park is now under 'Natural Open Space Park' rather than 'Community Parks.'
Community Parks are those that provide a city-wide service and may contain sports
facilities, while a Natural Open Space Park is described as natural lands set aside for
preservation of significant natural resources and open space areas for aesthetics and
buffering. They also serve as wildlife habitat and compatible passive recreation uses.
These lands are typically characterized by critical areas such as wetlands, slopes and
environmentally sensitive areas.
Regarding item 2.7 to amend the Comprehensive Plan to clarify the relationship between
Comprehensive Plans and Functional Plans, Ms. Surber stated that one of the comment
letters brought to staff's attention that in the glossary of the Comprehensive Plan there is a
definition for 'Functional Plan' that may be misleading. That definition reads: "Planning
documents which establish long-range goals and objectives to guide city operations and
capital development requests. These plans typically represent ideal goals for specific city
departments in providing urban services and facilities." Staff is recommending that this
definition be revised because goals and policies are the domain of the Comprehensive Plan
and not of a Functional Plan. This proposal is to include a revision to the glossary text to
read as follows: "Planning documents developed by municipalities addressing the location
and operation of public facilities and services such as sewer and water. Functional plans
implement and must be consistent with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan.
Typically, they provide an inventory of existing facilities, an analysis of deficiencies and
future demand, and recommendations for capital improvements."
The fast update is for item 3, adoption of amendments to the Port Townsend Parks,
Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan (LUP11-034). At the January 12, 2012
Planning Commission meeting the Friends of Kah Tai submitted a copy of the draft Parks
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Functional Plan with suggested significant line in/line out changes. Development Services
Department Director Rick Sepler met with Parks and Recreation Manager Jeremy Bubnick
to discuss available options due to the amount of input the City is still receiving on the draft
plan. Staff's recommendation is to afford additional opportunity for public participation on
this plan.
Ms. Surber provided a.-handout that outlines the following two options for the Planning
Commission to consider.
OPTION 1:
1) Tonight, for all docket items except Item 3: deliberate and make a preliminary
recommendation, subject to modification based upon the additional review and comment on
the parks functional plan.
2) Continue the hearing to Mareh April 12, 2012 to allow for additional review of the
Parks Functional Plan; specifically:
a) Hold a joint workshop with the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board on February
23, 2011. (the public would be invited to comment at this meeting).
b) Form a subcommittee consisting of two Planning Commissioners, and two members of
the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board; to work with staff on Draft #3 - with a goal
of releasing the revised draft for public review by March 19, 2012.
c) -Reopen the public comment period narrowly on the parks plan update until April 2,2012
(two weeks to comment on Draft #3).
At the continued hearing, , April 12, 2012, Planning Commission will reopen public
testimony to accept additional testimony narrowly on Draft #3 of the parks plan. Upon close
of public testimony, the Commission will deliberate and make a recommendation on the
parks plan and finalize their recommendation on all of the docket items.
OPTION 2:
1) Request that Council place the two Kah Tai items (2.5 and 2.6) and the Parks Functional
Plan on the 2012 Docket.
2) Make preliminary recommendation on the balance of the docket.
3) Continue the hearing to February 9, 2012 (If the Planning Commission decides to go this
route, it may wish to tentatively set aside 2-23 for a Workshop and reserve 4-12 as a
backup.)
Mr. Sepler added that either option allows for a workshop session to fully discuss the items,
receive additional public comment and input from the community, and prepare a revised
draft parks plan for consideration.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -January 26, 2012 Page 3 of 6
After discussing the two options, the Commission concurred to go with option 1.
As outlined in item one of Option 1, the Commission deliberated and made preliminary
recommendations as follows:
Item 1.1 - Nomura Rezone (LUP11-025)
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 1.2 - Cherry Street Rezone (LUP11-026)
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 1.3 - Establish Alternative Parcel - Specific Zoning (LUP11-027) (Amended by
City Council on 12/19/11)
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 2.1 - Emissions-Policy
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 2.2 - Housing Action Plan and Housing Action Plan Network (HAPN) Committee
Policy
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 2.3 - Public-Private Partnerships/Public Development Authority
Commissioner Heckscher disclosed that he serves as a member of the Fort Worden
Public Development Authority (PDA). There was consensus to move forward with this
amendment. A final decision and recommendation on the entire docket, including this
amendment, will be made at a future meeting.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -January 26, 2012 Page 4 of 6
Item 2.4 - Add Two New Comprehensive Plan Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Goals and related policies regarding Administration & Operations, Budget & Funding
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 2.5 - Kah Tai Lagoon Park Policy - (LUP11-015)
This item was tabled for consideration at a later date.
Item 2.6 - Kah Tai Lagoon Park Policy Alternative Language - (LUP11-055)
This item was tabled for consideration at a later date.
Item 2.7 - Amend the Comprehensive Plan to Clarify the Relationship Between
Comprehensive Plans & Functional Plans
There was consensus to move forward with this amendment. A final decision and
recommendation on the entire docket, including this amendment, will be made at a future
meeting.
Item 3 - Adoption of Amendments to Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open
Space Functional Plan (LUP11-034)
This item was tabled for consideration at a later date.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Due to concerns expressed by the public and members of the Planning Commission
regarding the inadequacy of the three minute time limit placed on public comments, the
Commission discussed the background and purpose of having a time limit in order to allow
everyone who wants to testify, an opportunity to speak, and to prevent filibustering. The
members concurred that during meetings where public comment will be taken, they will
discuss the possiblity of increasing the time limit or providing for a different structure that is
fair to everyone.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
February 9, 2012 - Cancelled
February 23, 2012 - Joint meeting with the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board
Subcommittee Meetings - It was agreed that Commissioner Mick-hager and Commissioner
Bowman will serve on a subcommittee with representatives from the Parks, Recreation and
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -January 26, 2012 Page 5 of 6
Tree Advisory Board to work with staff on Draft #3 of the Parks Functional Plan. Meetings
dates are yet to be determined.
ADJOURN
Motion: Gee Heckscher moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Sarah Bowman
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote.
Attest:
` Plannin is,- Chair
City Clerk's Office
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -January 26, 2012 Page 6 of 6