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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070609CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JULY 6, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the sixth day of July at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, DSD Director Rick Sepler, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Joan Fabian regarding tree issues in her neighborhood. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: George Randels moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 108284 through 108410 (plus EFTs) in the amount of $755,930.71 June 15, 2009 minutes with corrections: change "contact" to "contract" on page 1 under "Changes to the Agenda;" correct spelling of "herself' under Chamber Contract on page 5; correct motion regarding Chamber contract on page 5 to replace "approve" with "authorize." UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3013, Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code, Chapter 17.30 - Historic Overlay District, and Chapter 2.72 - Historic Preservation Committee, to Implement Design Guidelines and Strategies for the Uptown City Council Business Meeting Page 1 July b, 2009 Commercial Area of the Historic Overlay District. Mr. Sepler reviewed the packet material and noted that several minor corrections have been made to the draft ordinance in response to Council direction from the June 1, 2009 meeting. He also reviewed amendments contained in the Historic Overlay Guidelines (Exhibit B-2). Ms. Nelson asked for clarification regarding setbacks. Mr. Sepler stated that the rear setback for new construction is increased and is more rigorous than the Code; the concept is to reduce the transition of scale. He added that the setback areas sometimes become "leftover" areas for dumpsters, etc. and some believe it might be better to eliminate those and build to the property line according to design review approval. He confirmed that the 10-foot setback requirement could be waived because of this provision. Mrs. Medlicott asked why Polk Street, but not Fillmore, is included in item 1 on page 2 of Exhibit B-1 (50-foot buildlings allowed under certain circumstances). Mr. Sepler stated it appears that one parcel on Fillmore might be affected and the ordinance can be amended to add Fillmore Street to the list. Mr. King noted that on page 18 of Exhibit A, there is a discrepancy as #6 refers to "5(a-f), above" although #5 has subsections a - e only. Mr. Randels questioned whether the Certificate of Approval (17.30.050 D) runs with the land and Mr. Watts replied that as a building permit, it does so by law. Mr. Randels asked if this section is necessary and Mr. Watts noted that the change removes the current non -mandatory nature of the proceedings when related to an uptown project. Design review decisions are now binding in that area. Mr. Randels asked about the language on page 17 of Exhibit A (A.2) regarding reference to the Secretary of Interior's Design Guidlines and whether "if applicable" should be added. Language will remain but staff will research. Mr. Randels suggested removing the word "anticipated" before "development potential" on page 18 of Exhibit A, #4. Discussion ensued regarding whether corner buildings should be required to have 50% window facades on both primary and secondary streets and whether this should only apply to buildings on corner lots. Mr. Sepler stated that the intention is to have no blank walls on Lawrence Street; however some portions of buildings such as storage spaces and garages, don't work well with windows. He City Council Business Meeting Page 2 July 6, 2009 stated he can propose a revision on how this requirement might be related to ground floors. Mr. Randels suggested adding "and neighbors" at the end of the sentence in F.1 (page 19) so it reads "from adjacent rights of way and neighbors." In response to Ms. Nelson, Mr. Sepler said that having two representatives from the Uptown district was proposed because the downtown has been well represented in the past on the Historic Preservation Committee; in addition, downtown has a fairly well established history and a limited amount of residential population; the Uptown area has residential zoning in close proximity and any commercial development will have a large impact on the residential areas. The ad hoc committee thought it would be prudent to balance the downtown with uptown residential needs. There was no public comment. After further discussion, Council agreed that an amendment to C (3) in Exhibit A regarding blank walls would not be proposed. Ms. Nelson questioned the make up of the committee, particularly a minimum of two members from the Uptown area. She stated it is a small area to have two representatives. Mr. Sepler noted that the language "shall strive" means that those positions will be filled if possible. He stated there are nearly 300 residents in close proximity to the Uptown area. Mr. Sepler stated the language regarding the committee could be changed to "National Landmark Historic District" rather than "Historic Overlay District." Mr. Sepler clarified all proposed changes: in Ordinance 3013, clarify "National Landmark Historic District" in 2.72.020 (C); in Exhibit A, change reference in 17.30.155 (6) to "5 (a-e)" rather than "a-f ; remove "anticipated" before "development" in 17.30.155 (4); add "and neighbors" after "adjacent rights -of - way" in F (1); iin Exhibit B-1, add "Fillmore" street to Building, Height, Shadow & Privacy Impacts (1); standardize numerical references (numbers or words) to improve readability. Motion: George Randels moved to adopt Ordinance 3013, Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code, Chapter 17.30 - Historic Overlay District, and Chapter 2.72 - Historic Preservation Committee, to Implement Design Guidelines and Strategies for the Uptown Commercial Area of the Historic Overlay District with the changes articulated by Mr. Sepler. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3015, Adopting an Immediate Emergency Interim Regulation on the Acceptance of Applications for Certain Sandwich Board Signs in the City Council Business Meeting Page 3 July 6, 2009 City Historic District until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Sign Regulations. City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet materials, noting the ordinance would prohibit permitting new sandwich boards for businesses with window display frontage on Water or Lawrence Street. The interim ordinance would be in effect for six months and would preserve the status quo. Mr. Sepler noted that it has become apparent that a clarification on page 2 of Exhibit A would be helpful and proposed adding "primary" before "street -level window display" in section (h), second paragraph on page 2. He stated some businesses have a very small street level presence. Ms. Sandoval asked for clarification of the third paragraph under (h). Mr. Sepler stated that the intent is to have one sign for multiple businesses to share at each building entrance. The sentence will read "Maximum one sandwich board sign per building entrance." (eliminate rest of the sentence). Ia101t* 11II - I I Michelle Grupe spoke in favor of a departure procedure. Motion: George Randels moved to approve waiving Council rules on two readings, for adoption of Ordinance 3015, Adopting an Immediate Emergency Interim Regulation on the Acceptance of Applications for Certain Sandwich Board Signs in the City Historic District until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Sign Regulations. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 7:59 for the purpose of a break. The meeting was reconvened at 8:10 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 09-029, establishing the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board and providing scope of work, membership composition, terms of office, and procedural rules. Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials. Discussion ensued, with comments including whether to include language describing how the committee's work plan would be established; appropriate requirements for qualifications of committee members; whether the "whereas" clauses should explain why such a committee is important; whether to include language saying the work plan would be under the direction of the Council. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 July 6, 2009 There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to refer Resolution 09-029, establishing the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board and providing scope of work, membership composition, terms of office, and procedural rules to General Services Committee. Laurie Medlicott seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Volunteer Advisory Board Appointments Motion: George Randels moved to approve the Mayor's recommendation and confirm the following appointments: Library Advisory Board Fran Post (Position 5, tern expires 511111) Ken Dane (Position 7, term expires 511110) Lodging Tax Advisory Committee John MacElwee (Recipient - Position 4, tem? expires 511111) Non -Motorized Transportation Advisory Board Lowell Jons (Position 8, term 511112) Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Appoint Kris Nelson to the Jefferson County Board of Health Mrs. Medlicott suggested that Ms. Nelson also act as the alternate to the PDD Board and the NOPRCDC. Mayor Sandoval said that since these were former Council member Butler's assignments, Ms. Nelson has already agreed to assume them. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Kris Nelson's appointment to the Jefferson County Board of Health. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: JeffConnections.com Wayfinding project Upper Sims Way project bid Mountain View lease STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS The following committee minutes were included in the agenda packet: Finance and Budget - June 4, 2009 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 July G, 2009 Finance and Budget - June 25, 2009 Community Development and Land Use - April 6, 2009 Community Development and Land Use - June 1, 2009 ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 pm Attest: gaIna"l- 7 r Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 6 July 6, 2009