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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070810CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING City Hall and Upper Sims Way Thursday, July 8, 2010 6:30 PM Materials: EXH 1 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda/Notice, July 8, 2010 EXH 2 Map -City of Port Townsend, Sims Way/Howard Street Improvements, October 23, 2008 EXH 3 Map -City of Port Townsend, Sims Way/Howard Street Improvements, February 26, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER By prior arrangement, the Planning Commission meeting was devoted to a site inspection of Upper Sims Way improvements and Howard Street area. The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Ray at 6:30 PM at the entrance to City Hall, 250 Madison Street, Port Townsend. At 6:35 PM, the meeting was recessed to allow time for Commissioners to travel to Upper Sims Way. Members of the public were invited to join the Commission for any and all parts of the meeting. II. ROLL CALL A quorum of Planning Commission members was present: Sarah Bowman, Steve Emery, Jerauld Fry, Monica Mick-Hager, and Julian Ray (Chair). Gee Heckscher was excused. III. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA The agenda and itinerary was approved, all in favor. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 10, 2010 -The minutes of June 10 were deferred until the next regular meeting. V. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT: None (There were no members of the public attending.) Page 1 of 4 VI. NEW BUSINESS Site Inspection of Upper Sims Way (SR20) Improvements and Howard Street Alignment. (Rick Sepler, DSD Planning Director) The Planning Commission meeting was reconvened at 6:45 PM in front of the Crafts Cottage store, 1980 West Sims Way, located at the intersection of Thomas Street and Sims Way. Mr. Sepler distributed copies of two enhanced aerial photo maps showing Sims Way improvements and planned realignment of Howard Street (EXH 2 & 3). From the Crafts Cottage, the tour moved westerly to Howard Street on the northerly side of Sims Way; northerly on Howard Street (and on the public trail located adjacent to the Port Townsend Business Park) to Discovery Road; returning southerly through the Business Park streets onto Cliff Street, and easterly on the southerly side of Sims Way to the Crafts Cottage starting point. Mr. Sepler explained the reasons for the placement of the round-about at Thomas Street: a long term view was needed since the round-about cannot be moved; Thomas Street is the only connection to the paper mill, and the undeveloped area surrounding the mill site is zoned commercial and residential. If the mill ever ceased operation, there would be tremendous residential growth there. Construction issues of the round-about area including grading and encroachments in the right of way; most businesses wee very cooperative and supportive. Along Sims Way, Mr. Sepler pointed out the public right-of--way boundaries, sidewalk design, vegetation, and light standards that can be used for banners & flowers, and signage changes. The design includes flexible "pocket plaza" areas that can be used for a variety of needs including benches, trash receptacles, informational kiosks, public art etc. He pointed out the specific area across the street from the Laundromat/car wash where parking is possible on the street because buildings were built to the property line. There are pull outs for buses and wheelchair ramps for accessibility. Other items briefly discussed included: Provisions for signs in the right of way, as necessary; turn lanes and signage; and limitations on left turns along Sims Way. At the Howard StreetlBusiness Park area, Mr. Sepler pointed out the radius required for a turn of a WB-50 on a state highway, showing that intersections use as much land area as a round-about. He noted that the Business Park had been approved as a PUD, with the intent to have small scale office facilities at the south end and warehouses, etc at the other. However, that need has not manifested itself in Port Townsend. Since the County had fewer improvement and infrastructure requirements, Glen Cove has developed with light industrial uses to a greater extent than the Business Park due to the lower cost. He said that the area containing the last available commercial area in Port Townsend zoned C-II since 1997. He pointed out the path that the extension of Howard Street will take. One major reason for not continuing Howard St. straight through is that the Business Park, as part of their original approval, had been Page Z of 4 prohibited from entrance and access on that side of the their site. Their buildings have all been designed to face the interior road loop system. This led to a different alignment for Howard Street, which would allow development on both sides of the road. He noted that the new building just completed (at the intersection of Discovery and the public trail) had been designed with that expectation. Another reason for not routing Howard straight through was because of the established neighborhood on the existing Howard Street section to the east of Discovery Road. A portion of the right-of--way would be reserved to accommodate access to the Larry Scott Trail. Wetlands - Mr. Sepler pointed out the wetland areas He said that they all will be mitigated, despite the fact that several consultants have stated that they are non jurisdictional. One official at DOE says these are jurisdictional and the City is contesting that. The wetlands are designated category III or lower value. There is another area on the northerly side of Discovery Road that will be purchased as a potential mitigation site - a degraded wetland area that has a higher value and will be restored. The existing trail in the Howard St. right-of--way along the boundary of the Business Park would remain. The trail would be slightly realigned, but retain the trees on the right where possible. At the site of the new building off Discovery, Mr. Sepler explained that the entrance and parking was placed in anticipation of the Howard Street realignment; EXH 2. (This business develops computer software for balancing the loads of large ships.) Mr. Sepler noted that the planned location of Howard Street is the best chance for property owners to get utilities to serve both sides of the Street. He pointed out the existing section of Rainier Street where the road will come through. The plan is to start with intersection, sidewalks and shoulders on Discovery Road all the way out of town. It was noted that Rainer St. rejoins Howard St. further along and then comes through to Hastings. At the present time, there are funds for utilities (sewer and water) infrastructure -the route will not be a paved road at first, i.e. not open to cars, just a gravel access path. The wetland mitigation and approval process is in progress. After the utilities are in, the City will seek funding for the road surface, sidewalks and other street improvements and open up the options for proponents to come in and do building construction. The tour returned through the wooded area of the Business Park to the area that is under development. Mr. Sepler noted that a buffer of 50-100 feet must be left in relation to the City right of way. Within the Business Park, as the third phase of development land has been cleared and infrastructure has been put in. Page3of4 The group observed the public park area within the Business Park and returned by way of Cliff Street and Sims Way to the Crafts Cottage. Mr. Sepler noted that the next meeting on July 22 will be a hearing on Fences. IX. COMMUNICATIONS (None) VII. ADJOURNMENT 'hair Ray adjourned the meeting at 7: 48 PM. Julian Ray, Chair Gail Bernhard, Recorder Page 4 of 4