HomeMy WebLinkAbout070609DRAFT
CITY 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
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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.
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
on page 2 of Exhibit B-1 (50-foot buildlings allowed under certain
ciroumstances). 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 "'rf 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.
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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 comer 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 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 ((i) 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
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Guidelines and Strategies for the Uptown Commercial Area of the Historic
Overlay District with fhe 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 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
F~chibit 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).
Public Comment
Michelle Groupy spoke in favor of a departure procedure.
Motion: George Randels moved to approve waiving Council rules on fwo
readings, for adoption of Ordinance 3015, Adopting an Immediate
Emergency Interim Regulation on fhe Acceptance ofApplications for Certain
Sandwich Board Signs in the City Historic District unfit 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
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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.
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 once, and procedural rules fo General
Services Committee. Laurie Medlicott seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Volunteer Advisory Board Appointments
Mofion: George Randels moved to approve the Mayor's recommendation and
confrrm the following appointments: Library Advisory Board
Fran Post (Position 5, term expires 5/1/11)
Ken Dane (Position 7, term expires 5/1/10)
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
John MacElwee (Recipient -Position 4, term expires 5/1/11)
Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board
Lowell Jons (Position 8, term 5/1/12) 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 vofe.
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CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Timmons reported on the following:
JeffConnections.com
Wayfinding project
Upper Sims Way project bid
Mountain Vew lease
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following committee minutes were included in the agenda packet:
Finance and Budget -June 4, 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 emeeting was adjourned at 8:46 pm
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Cierk
City Council Business Meeting July 6, 2009 Page 6 of 6
