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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031314 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 13, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in regular session on March 13, 2014, in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Chair Monica Mick-Hager called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners present at roll call were Monica Mick-Hager, Douglas Frick, Dwight Nicholson, Jack Range, Kirit Bhansali, Gee Heckscher, and Nan Evans. Staff members present were Community Services Director Rick Sepler, and Senior Planner John McDonagh. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA There were no changes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 13, 2014 AND MARCH 5, 2014 Motion. Douglas Frick moved to approve minutes of February 13, 2014 and March 5, 2014. Kirit Bhansali seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA - LIMITED TO 5 MINUTES PER PERSON) There was no public comment NEW BUSINESS - NONE OLD BUSINESS Howard Street Arterial Project (Land Use Only) - Introduction (Rick Sepler, Public Services Director & Stacy Cannon, Urban Design Intern) Community Services Director Rick Sepler gave an introduction of the Howard Street Arterial Project. He introduced Stacy Cannon intern on urban planning at the University of Washington assisting with this project. He gave a presentation covering the comprehensive plan, transportation functional plan, and history on the corridor and urged Commission consideration of whether the City should be looking at alternative uses for the corridor. Planning Commission Meeting March 13, 2014 Stacy Cannon then described zoning alternatives and types of uses for the Howard Street Corridor, including the benefits and challenges of each. She described Industrial Mixed-Use District (IMU), Mixed-Use Industrial Business District (MUIBD), Artisan Manufacturing Zoning District, Industrial Live-Work, Live-Work in form-based code, and criterion for establishing metrics for desirable uses. Questions from the Commission resulted in Mr. Sepler explaining the transportation benefits of opening the Howard Street corridor to Discovery Road. There was also discussion about economic opportunities. Rick Sepler solicited comment on whether to explore a light industrial retail mix approach versus C-II zoning. The Commission also expressed interest in whether industrial/commercial uses would still be allowed under C-II criteria. Another concern was that certain activities even with MU zoning could cause considerable noise. Mr. Sepler responded that the City could find a means through zoning to enable the use or put in place interim controls stating that certain uses might not achieve the goals for this location. He went on to explain alternatives to address this: the development of a use table (that best articulates the vision), performance standards, or a form-based code. Mr. Sepler responded to questions and restated that C-II zone is very broad and that this area is the last undeveloped C-II area. When asked about the importance of this planning for the Howard Street Corridor given other competing projects, Mr. Sepler responded that this area will become central to the Comprehensive Plan discussion and Council has also listed this project as a priority. There was Commission support for scheduling another workshop to pursue these options. The Commission has some additional concern about safety issues on Discovery Road and interest in better understanding planned improvements for cyclists and pedestrians in that area. Marijuana Regulations (Land Use Only) -Update (Rick Sepler, Public Services Director) Senior Planner John McDonagh distributed a March 10 memorandum with new information affecting marijuana regulations. He reminded that the public hearing on this matter is scheduled for March 27. For that hearing, Staffs recommendation is to open the hearing, take testimony, and then continue the hearing until April 24. He reported on the identification of a piece of property previously thought to be unrestricted by 1-502. He also talked about the general commercial zone for light industrial use as long as there is a store-front component. He noted that is not the same for marijuana businesses and explained production and retail are not allowed on the same site. He then reviewed legislation currently being considered by the state legislature (merging recreational and medical use and eliminating collective gardens, setting cultivation limits, purchasing limits, tax exemptions, supply and access, and medical strains). He noted Planning Commission Meeting March 13, 2014 staff continues to research what regulations are in process and/or adopted in other jurisdictions. Rick Sepler said the City does expect some pressure from existing businesses to limit competition. Mr. Sepler said a notice has been published stating that the City has begun a SEPA review. The Commission asked what would happen if the City adopts regulations and then the legislature makes changes. Mr. McDonagh said a code amendment would likely be necessary. Question was whether manufacturing and processing have the same potential danger to children. Mr. McDonagh said he believes much is about stigma associated with such businesses. OTHER BUSINESS - NONE UPCOMING MEETINGS March 27: Public Hearing on Proposed Marijuana Regulations (Land Use only) April 10: Public Hearing: 2014 Preliminary Docket April 16: Wednesday 1:30-4:30 Joint City/County Planning Commission Workshop on Transportation & Climate Change (Council Chambers) April 24: Cancelled May 7: Wednesday 1:30-4:30 Joint City/County Planning Commission Workshop - Tentative Topics: Education and Economic Development & Sustainability and Local Food (Council Chambers) Ms. Mick-Hager noted that the Joint Workshop meeting scheduled for March 19 has been cancelled. COMMUNICATIONS There were none. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Attest: Planning Commission Meeting March 13, 2014 /(3 Planning Cornmist�Chahair --y i ity Clerk's Office Planning Commission Meeting March 13, 2014