HomeMy WebLinkAbout032315CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT
WORKSHOP MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on March 23, 2015 in
the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor King called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David
King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, City Engineer David Peterson, Planning Director Lance Bailey, Public
Works Director Ken Clow, Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber, City
Clerk Joanna Sanders, and Deputy Clerk/Legal Assistant Amber Long .
Planning Commissioners present at roll call were Kirit Bhansali, Nan Evans,
Douglas Frick, and Monica Mick -Hager with Dwight Nicholson excused and Jack
Range absent.
INTRODUCTION OF PLANNING DIRECTOR
Planning Director Lance Bailey explained his background and experience.
NEW BUSINESS
Howard Street Arterial Project
City Engineer David Peterson gave background on the Community Economic
Revitalization Board (CERB) planning grant and the consultant selection
process.
Howard Street Economic Feasibility Study
Ed Hovee of E.D.Hovee & Company gave a presentation on the Howard Street
Corridor Economic Feasibility Study. With the City's receipt of the CERB
funding, there is an opportunity to talk about the concepts/objectives of the work
district, including the link from the district to family wage jobs, and seeking an
anchor tenant to help the project.
City Council/Planning Commission Special Joint Workshop March 23, 2015 Page 1 of 3
Rod Stevens of Spinnaker Strategies spoke about his work on how the City
might market this project for economic benefit for the community.
Discussion by Council and Planning Commission centered on barriers to siting
and development, including the expense of infrastructure, existing
demographics, and affordable housing. The consultants responded to questions
regarding the use of county versus city statistics; how they arrived at net use
development figures and annual wage figures; explanation/description of
performance and form -based zoning and industrial and high wage office jobs;
and how to attract companies. The consultants indicated that you attract
individuals to the community based on leading industries, like the marine
industries. There were comments about the importance of zoning regulations
that support what the City wants to create.
City Manager David Timmons gave a briefing on the background and
development of the three economic anchors and reviewed the feasibility
findings. The presentation of the final grant application (for job creation and job
growth) received unanimous support from CERB. He then reviewed funding to
establish infrastructure for the corridor. The correct zoning development would
be aided by expediting the allowance of a planned unit development model,
followed by marketing and promotion in partnership with the Chamber,
Economic Development Council, Port, and other community organizations. He
spoke about on-site stormwater management versus regional stormwater.
Mr. Timmons addressed questions about parking requirements. He noted
that alternative funding is being sought for more CERB funding for road
improvements, sidewalks, and broadband capacity. Staff responded to a
question about the final design for curb height.
Expansion of Applicability of PUD Ordinance
Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber noted that the Comprehensive
Plan Update process would address long-term planning, but more immediate is
the need to consider an option to expand the applicability of PTMC Chapter
17.32 - Planned Unit Developments. Revisions would allow planned unit
development agreements, providing more flexibility for uses without expanding
it so far as to require a Comprehensive Plan amendment. In April, this matter
would be brought forward to the Planning Commission.
Planning Director Lance Bailey talked about the desire to allow desired
development through proposed code amendments. After review by
the Planning Commission, recommendations would come before Council for
consideration. Mr. Bailey responded to questions from Council about how a
PUDA would weave into current performance zoning, saying it would be done
on a project by project basis. When asked if a binding site plan would be an
alternative and how long would PUDA process take, Ms. Surber confirmed that
a PUD is processed in conjunction with either a subdivision or binding site plan.
In terms of time to process, she estimated the process could take anywhere
from 90 to 120 days from the data an application is deemed complete.
City Council/Planning Commission Special Joint Workshop March 23, 2015 Page 2 of 3
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Attest:
tw-
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
City Council/Planning Commission Special Joint Workshop March 23, 2015 Page 3 of 3