HomeMy WebLinkAbout05102004CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF MAY 10, 2004
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this tenth day of
May, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor
Catharine Robinson presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff,
Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval. Geoff Masci was
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attomey John Watts,
BCD Director Jeff Randall, Planner John McDonagh, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
Mr. Watts gave an overview of the extensive materials provided in the notebooks
distributed to council members. The presentation included a procedural history and key
features of the draft ordinance.
The issue was then open for discussion.
Mr. Benskin corrected the record to establish that the Planning Commission
recommendation regarding the draft ordinance was not unanimous, but 5-1. He added
that the Historic Preservation Committee guidelines were forwarded from the Planning
Commission to the City Council without review.
Regarding the HPC guidelines, Mr. McDonagh explained that they are a "mixed bag" -
some from adopted city plans and some guidelines adopted by the HPC over the years but
never adopted by the Council.
Mr. Watts noted that the council may separate the question of adoption of the guidelines
from adoption of the ordinance.
Ms. Fenn commented on the importance of consistent guidelines so that the process is
predictable for citizens and HPC members. She added that the guidelines could be
adopted and then reviewed in a year to see if changes are needed.
Mr. Benskin objected to codifying the guidelines without review and discussion by the
Planning Commission or Council.
City Council Workshop Page 1 May 10, 2004
Mr. Watts noted that the Council could set whatever review process they like; typically
this type of decision would be referred to Planning Commission for review and
recommendation.
It was again noted that the Planning Commission did forward the recommendation
regarding the guidelines to the Council but that they did not thoroughly review the
guidelines.
Mr. Kolff raised questions about pending guidelines for the uptown historic district. Mr.
McDonagh stated Planning Commission did recommend development of guidelines for
the uptown district, but the time frame for that project would be set by the council.
Mrs. Medlicott expressed serious questions about the proposed ordinance; asking what
the driver is and noting that there must be a line between economic viability and historic
preservation. She stated she does not believe the proposed regulations allow enough
space for a viable economic community and may be onerous to those owners subject to
the regulations.
Mr. Watts stated that the existing design review process is not affected by the proposed
regulations. He added that Mr. Timmons is dealing with addressing any administrative
problems which arise from HPC review process.
Mrs. Medlicott asked about enforcement of the new regulations and whether money has
been budgeted to cover enforcement. Mr. Timmons noted that no funds are specifically
earmarked to the program.
Ms. Fenn stated for the public record that she has a potential financial interest in a
business at Point Hudson.
Ms. Robinson said that it appears there are several separate issues to be addressed as part
of the ordinance, including the ordinance itself, design guidelines, and the mandate of the
HPC.
Ms. Sandoval spoke in support of the ordinance, noting it is the city's economic benefit
to preserve what people find most attractive about the community.
Mr. Timmons stated in regard to the design review process that the public wants clear,
concise and timely answers. He noted that the hearings examiner process has been
successful.
Mrs. Medlicott stated that many Councilors have been intimately involved with this issue
for some time; however she has received all the information only recently. She stated
she will not be ready to vote in a week and would like to have more time for the
discussion and decision.
City Council Workshop Page 2 May 10, 2004
Mr. Watts stated that a public hearing is scheduled for the next Council meeting, but the
Council does not have to take action then.
Ms. Robinson suggested that the housekeeping matter of combining the regulations into
one section of the code would be a good starting point. She asked what guidelines the
HPC will use if the Council does not address adoption of guidelines.
Mr. Watts stated the guidelines would continue to be used as they have been up until
now. The question is if a recommendation is made based on a non-adopted guideline,
whether the owner may choose not to comply with the decision.
Staff was assigned to bring forward a specific listing of guidelines which have not been
adopted by the council. Mr. McDonagh stated that the guidelines which have not been
formally adopted are 4,5,6,7,8 and 9.
ADJOURN
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Pamela Kolacy, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Workshop Page 3 May 10, 2004