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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082213 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF AUGUST 22, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend Planning Commission met in regular session on August 22, 2013 in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers, 540 Water Street. Because the Commission did not have a Chair due to Steve Emery's resignation and Jerry Fry's end of term, senior member Monica Mick-Hager was asked to be Acting Chair. Mrs. Mick-Hager agreed and called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners present at roll call were Dwight Nicholson, Monica Mick-Hager, Jack Range, and Gee Heckscher with Kirit Bhansali excused. Staff members present were Public Services Director Rick Sepler, and Land Use Development Specialist Suzanne Wassmer. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA The Agenda's General Public Comment section made mention that comments made during this time would not be part of the hearing record. Mr. Sepler clarified that this is boiler plate language, and that there is no hearing as a part of this meeting. Motion: Gee Heckscher moved to approve the agenda as is. Jack Range seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Jack Range moved to approve minutes of October 25, 2012. Gee Heckscher seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Jahnke suggested that future meetings be held in the City's Third Floor Conference Room rather in Council Chambers. Mr. Sepler stated that could be the location in the future for non-hearing meetings. Planning Commission Meeting August 22, 2013 Pagel NEW BUSINESS -Wes: PLANNING COMMISSION BRIEFINGS, FIRST TOUCH Welcome Mr. Sepler welcomed back the Planning Commission and thanked them for staying with the Commission after not meeting for the last ten months. There are likely to be more bi-monthly meetings in 2014. The items on the agenda are "first touch", and the Commission can decide if they want to revisit the items in a more detailed workshop, or ask staff to go ahead and draft an ordinance. SIGN CODE MODIFICATIONS: The first three items would require modifications to the Port Townsend Municipal Code section 17.76. Local Information Signs Ms. Wassmer gave a brief overview of the Local Information Sign (LIS) program and made reference to the written materials provided in the packet. Mr. Sepler provided more information, and explained how the LIS started as a way to provide advertising for businesses when sandwich boards along Sims Way (which were never permitted in that location) were removed in 2010 as part of sign code enforcement. A number of businesses said the public could no longer find them. The City received a Preserve America Grant that funded the four LIS on lower Sims Way with the criteria that businesses be tourist oriented (hotels and restaurants). The two LIS on upper Sims Way were funded by the City with the public purpose to increase economic vitality. Public Comment: Mr. Jahnke suggested that Manresa Castle be allowed to have a sign as they provide food and lodging. Commission Discussion and Direction: The Commission discussed the attachment that listed the businesses that want to be on an LIS sign. However, they do not meet the current program's criteria (i.e. would be a left rather than right turn; they are a retail or service-oriented business or public-oriented business). The four Lower Sims Way signs to remain as first designated —for food, gas and lodging. The four signs could be consolidated down to three signs, or "district" signs could be used, such as "more shopping", "more stores" to fill in the currently blank panels. Planning Commission Meeting August 22, 2013 Page 2 The Port Townsend Business Park may advertise as a whole, but the Commission did not recommend opening it up to individual businesses. The Commission asked staff to return with alternative possibilities for the Upper Sims Way LIS. Staff will make a presentation at the next workshop regarding Wayfinding. Blue Star Banner Program Staff Presentation: Mr. Sepler described the program that seeks to honor local military service members by displaying individual banners along Sims Way. It is a privately funded program that would arrange for the banners to be installed on light standards/utility poles with the permission of the utility (PUD). Staff feels it is a worthy program which has been adopted by other cities. Suggests certain areas are incompatible (those designed for removable banners between the first roundabout and Logan Street, and in the Historic District) and suggests poles between Kearney and Logan Streets be used. Per the program, 5 to 7 years is the life of the sign. The program would apply for an "exempt" (no fee) permit for each sign. Public Comment: No comments were made. Commission Discussion and Direction: The Commission suggested the following: Provide language that those honored would need to be Port Townsend residents. Provide more information on the "Gold Star" program — is there date specific for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and is it retroactive, such as could it be used for someone who died in World War I. Make sure City crews watch for tattered banners, and should that occur inform the applicant to remove/replace the sign. Find a way to minimize the commercial aspect. Prohibit logos, and keep the name of the sponsor in a smaller font. Leave room for a similar program that would honor someone in the community. Modify the Sign Code to read, "Blue Star Banner program and other similar programs in the public interest as approved by City Council". The Commission recommended that the Blue Star Banner program be advanced to a Public Hearing. Merchant Information Signs (MIS) Mr. Sepler introduced these Wayfinding Signs to be used as "kiosks" that were envisioned in the Sign Code. He brought an example of a sign that has been prepared that would be attached to a utility pole downtown or uptown (with permission of the PUD). 8 businesses can advertise on a sign with their address and a 1" x 1" QR code that would lead the smart phone user to their internet site. �v. Planning Commission Meeting August 22, 2013 Page 3 The cost would most likely be $25.00 for each business. 17 have been prepared and four are already up that provide general direction and information. Public Comment: No comments were made. Commission Discussion and Direction: There was general discussion about the number of potential advertisers. Note: The signs are one-sided and two are general information signs without advertisers, so the total potential advertisers is less than the 272 calculated during the meeting for 17 signs with 8 panels on each side. The Commission suggested that businesses advertise within a one block area of their business. Ms. Mick-Hager questioned why the Northwest Maritime Center was printed on the sign, and Mr. Sepler responded that a focus group and Council determined that it is a destination. The Commission recommended that the MIS be advanced to a Public Hearing. MEDICAL MARIJUANA — INTERIM CONTROL Staff Presentation: Mr. Sepler introduced Ordinance 3094 adopted by the City Council on August 5, 2013 that established an interim control for a six month period that requires any marijuana operation to be located in a commercial zone. The ordinance prohibits any retail and medical marijuana operations from locating in residential zones. Planning Commission was asked to develop a recommendation on appropriate zoning and review processes. It is a separate issue from 1-502, the State law that legalized recreational marijuana businesses. The State Liquor Board is still finalizing the rules, but it currently requires that retail operations be located at least 1,000 feet from schools, playgrounds, recreational centers, public parks and libraries. There are no similar buffer requirements for medical marijuana. The Commission was specifically asked to consider regulations on collective gardens (for medical uses) in residential areas. Reasons to regulate them include limiting the number of transactions and/or the number of people to prevent the activity from being adverse to the neighborhood character. A collective garden such as the one that recently opened next to Quimper Mercantile requires that qualified patients become members, but there is no limit to the number of gardens a patient may be a member of and no limit on the amount of time to maintain their membership. Page 4 Planning Commission Meeting August 22, 2013 The Commission was also asked to consider if it should be permitted as an agricultural use in a residential area, and would something like a "farm stand" be permitted? As it is a highly valued commodity within a small footprint, security measures may need to be in place. Public Comments: No comments were made. Commission Discussion and Direction: The Commission asked staff to forward attachments sent to City Council, and a copy of 1-502. Staff will send the link to the documents that may be accessed on-line. Staff will return to the Commission with more background materials for more discussion and a draft ordinance. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE A. The City Council is looking to recruit new members, as there are work plan items that may be coming forward from the Council in 2014, such as regulations concerning transient accommodations. B. Regarding a Planning Commission representative to the Shelter Providers Network (formerly HAPN), Monica Mick-Hager asked the Commission if anyone was interested. Jack Range said he might be able to do it, but needs more information about the monthly meeting schedule. It was agreed that Jack Range was the selected representative. C. Regarding appointing a representative to the Subcommittee for the Parks Functional Plan Update, none of the planning commission members volunteered. Monica is already on the subcommittee and stated that she would remain on the subcommittee if no one else was interested. ELECTION OF OFFICERS — CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Monica briefly described the duties of the Chair and Vice-Chair. Motion: Gee Hecksher nominated Monica Mick-Hager. Jack Range seconded. Ms. Mick-Hager accepted the nomination. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. Motion: Monica Mick-Hager nominated Jack Range for Vice-Chair. Gee Hecksher seconded. Mr. Range accepted the nomination. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS - NONE Planning Commission Meeting August 22, 2013 Page 5 UPCOMING MEETINGS The next meeting will be on September 26, 2013. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 PM by consensus. Planning Commission C H Planning Commission Meeting August 22, 2013 Page 6