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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 13th day of March
2017 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the
meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray,
Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Amy Howard
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Planning Director Lance Bailey, Police Chief
Michael Evans, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
LIGHTING UPDATE
City Manager David Timmons gave a briefing on street lighting ownership as it has
changed from Puget Sound Energy to the Jefferson County Public Utility District
(PUD). The PUD wishes to move to an LED light standard necessitating not only a
memorandum of understanding between the City and PUD, but revisions to the City's
design guidelines. The PUD's pilot demonstrations continue, and staff recognized the
need to better publicize the move from sodium vapor lights to LED lighting.
HOUSING UPDATE
Mr. Timmons updated Council on COAST's supervision of the homeless shelter and
the potential for moving to a year-round "dry" shelter. The City relies on nonprofits for
shelter support but would continue to work with nonprofits to support a functioning
shelter. Police Chief Michael Evans spoke about increased police interactions and
criminal activity associated with homeless individuals from out of the area. He and Mr.
Timmons also talked about some of the issues associated with what is seen as a
lenient wet shelter at the American Legion. Staff responded to Council questions
about the ratio of men and women at the shelter, other area shelters, medical and
mental health services, the timing of year-round shelter options, the need for a
spectrum of housing options, and whether we might create more problems by
tightening the standards. There was also concern about nonprofits sponsoring
temporary encampments, including the significant issues of health, safety and
sanitation.
Mr. Timmons explained the work to date to build a coalition on a housing trust model
including Homeward Bound. Staff hopes to assist in supporting County and nonprofits
in building a housing partnership and would report back to Council on any progress.
He mentioned the possibility for a 50-unit housing trust. With the new presidential
administration, funding would now likely come in the form of tax credit programs.
City Council Workshop Meeting - March 13, 2017 Page 1 of 2
Council discussion focused on the complex housing market, potential modifications to
development regulations, including allowing for departures related to
ADUs, enforcement of unpermitted ADUs, and home affordability for renters and
home owners in perpetuity similar to the Habitat for Humanity model.
SHORT TERM RENTALS
Planning Director Lance Bailey briefed Council on the background and status of the
short-term rental topic covering Resolution 15-035 and issues and recommendations
from the Council Community Development and Land Use Committee. He led Council
through his staff memo detailing the discussion and recommendation from the
Planning Commission on whether to allow non-owner occupied short-term rentals.
Council also received an additional handout on existing transient accommodations.
Mr. Bailey reviewed what is allowed related to tourist homes, hotels/motels, and bed
and breakfasts and some of the enforcement challenges including proving primary
residence, on-site owner, and kitchen equipment.
Discussion ensued about Council goals including the following: preserving
neighborhood character, limiting the number of short-term rentals, consistency and
predictability on rules and process, centralizing definitions, deciding whether or not to
amortize non-conforming uses, providing affordable housing and incentives for long-
term rentals, allowing the ability to rent rooms, bringing illegal short-term rentals into
compliance through licensing, and establishing consistent definitions and regulations
for bed and breakfasts for owner-occupied tourist accommodations.
Mr. Bailey indicated that all on the existing list were done with conditional use permits,
but there are significant challenges with making all on the list consistent with the
current PTMC. There was concern about the reluctance to tighten the definitions for
short-term rentals in residential areas as compared to the clear definitions in
existence for hotels.
Staff agreed to return with an ordinance imposing a moratorium on any permitting of
tourist homes. There was also direction to revise the definition of tourist home such
as having an entrance through the primary residence, a bedroom and possibly a
sitting room, no kitchen or kitchenette, and no external lock. There was a desire to
better clarify Item B(2) and (3) in Exhibit E (Title 17 revisions).
COUNCIL RULES RELATED TO COUNCIL ORGANIZATION
Mr. Timmons suggested Council review and email their input on needed changes and
concerns to him.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders CMC
City Clerk
C®Ty CL
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