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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121213 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in regular session on December 12, 2013 in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers, 540 Water Street. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Monica Mick-Hager. ROLL CALL Commissioners present at roll call were Kirit Bhansali, Monica Mick-Hager, Dwight Nicholson, and Jack Range with Gee Heckscher excused. Staff members present were Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Senior Planner John McDonagh, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. NEW BUSINESS Briefing on 1-502 and Medical Marijuana Senior Planner John McDonagh gave the Staff presentation. He provided background on the passage of Initiative 502 marijuana legislation. He reviewed materials provided in the packet (staff memo, background on legislation, City Interim Ordinance 3094, mapping of zoning for marijuana businesses, Association of Washington Cities Frequently Asked Questions, and State Department of Health materials). He noted that he also sent a Liquor Control Board link today with more information. In addition, he provided a chart showing decision making on marijuana production, processing and retail. Medical marijuana collective gardens can locate anywhere. Public Services Director Rick Sepler pointed out that this does not address personal use, but where businesses should be located. Staff would be bringing forward information on what the City has researched as well as what other jurisdictions have discovered about locating these businesses. Staff will outline the process over the next few months. He then reviewed possible action items are to extend ordinance (in current format or discuss potential alterations/additions) and provide direction on whether all aspects of 1-502 should be accommodated. It was noted that the moratorium would expire unless extended by February 5, 2014. Staff addressed questions regarding how many retail outlets could be provided, what the feedback has been from the community, home occupation zoning regulations, whether the City could allow small scale garden by qualified patients, whether businesses are subject to retail sales tax, production and processing in commercial zones. Under 1-502, you can't have in C-11 zones production and retail businesses similar to cheese making, beer making, bakery, etc. It is possible to allow uses in manufacturing zones and consider not allowing vesting. Mr. McDonagh suggested possibly including language to disallow nonconforming uses. Discussion then shifted to the map where red and green denote areas where (by state rules) no 502 operations are allowed. Staff noted it is a draft map as Staff is still researching Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 2013 Page 1 of 3 locations near parks. The City could also adopt its own buffering from churches or parts of Larry Scott Trail. Parks would have to be owned and actively operated by City. Staff would be asking for another six months extension of the interim ordinance. Motion: Kirit Bhansali moved to approve recommending to Council extending Interim Ordinance 3094. Dwight Nicholson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. There was some question about how much latitude there might be in allowing collective gardens in residential areas. Mr. McDonagh explained the City can be more restrictive than state law, but not less restrictive. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Motion: Kirit Bhansali moved to approve modifying the agenda to address New business ahead of the Public Hearing. Jack Range seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 Motion: Jack Range moved to approve the minutes of September 26, 2013. Kirit Bhansali seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment PUBLIC HEARING - SIGN CODE AMENDMENTS - PILOT PROJECT - SIMS WAY (SR20) LOCAL INFORMATION SIGNS (LIS) PROGRAM Ms. Mick-Hager read the rules of procedure for the hearing. Commissioners did not disclose any issues financial or property. Staff Presentation (Rick Sepler, Public Services Director) The staff presentation was given by Public Services Director Rick Sepler. He reviewed materials provided, including the proposed text amendments. Public Testimony There was no public comment. Public testimony was closed. Commission Deliberation and Possible Recommendation Clarifying questions addressed by staff were whether a colored version would be included in the ordinance and whether there had been concerns from the public. Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 2013 Page 2 of 3 During discussion, Commissioners expressed that they were comfortable with the amendments and believe the amendment is well written. It was noted that Commissioner Heckscher had previously raised some concern about the cost of sign production, but he was generally in favor of the amendments. Mr. Sepler noted that state law requires that the City award to lowest qualified bidder. Motion: Kirit Bhansali moved to approve recommending to Council adoption of Ordinance revising Section PTMC 17.76.113 as amended by the Commission. Dwight Nicholson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS - NONE UPCOMING MEETINGS At the January 23 meeting, there would be a briefing on marijuana and the comprehensive planning process. COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Sepler recommended that all email communications by the Commission be forwarded only to staff to avoid serial meetings violating the Open Public Meetings Act. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 8:08 p.m. Attest: Planning Commission Chair City Clerk's Office Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 2013 Page 3 of 3