05/07/2018 - Minutes
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City of Port Orchard
Land Use Committee
Meeting Minutes – May 7, 2018
Committee Members Present: Scott Diener (chair), Fred Chang, Shawn Cucciardi
City Officials and Staff: Mayor Rob Putaansuu, Police Chief Geoffrey Marti, Community Development Director
Nick Bond, Public Works Director Mark Dorsey, Police Officer Andrew Brandon, Long Range Planner Keri Sallee
Chair Diener called the meeting to order at 9:38 am.
1. Discussion: Derelict Vessels. Police Chief Geoffrey Marti and Police Officer Andrew Brandon gave a
presentation on derelict vessels in Sinclair Inlet and at the City’s dock. The City works with the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) to seize and destroy derelict vessels. Brandon said that the state recently adopted a rule
requiring all boat owners to have insurance on their vessels, with a required inspection for larger vessels. Owners
who can’t or won’t pay for insurance or whose boat can’t pass an inspection are being evicted from marina
moorage. Therefore, there has been an uptick in uninsured and/or non-seaworthy vessels being moored or
abandoned in open waters such as Sinclair Inlet. When these boats sink, it can cost from $3,000-$50,000 or more
to remove the boat and mitigate any environmental impacts. DNR has a fund for removing derelict vessels, but it
is limited and in the past has been wiped out just by removing one large sunken vessel. Ticketing and fines by the
Police Department have produced minimal results.
There has also been an increasing issue with boaters who tie up their boats and/or dinghies at the City’s dock for
extended periods or overnight. The Police Department suggests that the City Council adopt code provisions that
will allow officers to time and ticket these offenders, similar to how officers issue parking tickets for vehicles on
City streets. The code should also include increased penalties for repeat offenders and for people who illegally tie
up and use the City dock for commercial purposes. Registration with the City for use of the City dock or to moor
for more than a certain period of time in City waters may be required.
Because derelict vessels are a countywide problem, the Police Department proposes to work with the other local
jurisdictions in Kitsap County to develop and adopt coordinated rules to enforce DNR’s open water moorage time
restrictions and additional jurisdiction-specific limitations. This may include limiting open water moorage to 72
hours total during the winter months, when most problems with breakaway boats, groundings and weather-
related sinkings occur. The Police Department will work with the City Attorney to develop code language, and will
also request additional funding from Council to deal with enforcement of derelict vessels and related issues in City
waters.
2. Discussion: 2018 Zoning Code Update. Community Development Director Nick Bond gave an overview of the
proposed update to the City’s Zoning Code, which is scheduled for adoption in fall 2018. The new Zoning Code
will include a number of new and revised zoning categories, and will focus on compatibility between adjacent
buildings and uses, encouragement of a mix of housing types and affordable housing, and creation of pedestrian-
friendly neighborhoods. The Department of Community Development has prepared a public participation plan
that summarizes the proposed changes, provides the proposed adoption timeline, and indicates the methods that
will be used for public outreach and for obtaining public comment and other involvement. The public
participation plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission on May 2, and will be presented to City Council for
approval on May 8.
3. Discussion: Long Range Planner Keri Sallee said that Mr. Preston Reynolds, the owner of the property at 4358
Novak Dr SW, would like to obtain an easement from the City to repair the retaining wall on the west side of his
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property. The City has a stormwater pond parcel abutting this area. Mayor Robert Putaansuu said that Mr.
Reynolds should contact the Department of Public Works for a construction easement which will include any
mitigation necessary after the work is completed (such as removing a temporary access road). Mr. Reynolds will
need to have the draft easement documents prepared by his attorney and reviewed by the City Attorney at his
own expense. Public Works will contact Mr. Reynolds and advise him on next steps.
3. Discussion: General Parking Issues. Council Member Chang said he is concerned that when Kitsap County
builds a new courthouse, the county campus could lose a significant amount of existing surface parking. He asked
if the County would be required to provide additional parking spaces to serve the expanded square footage of the
County campus. Putaansuu said that the County will be held to the same parking standards in the City’s code as
any other developer, and a parking garage will probably be built first to minimize disruptions caused by
construction and removal of street parking.
4. Discussion: Bay Street Shops. Chang said that he had been asked by Bay Street merchants if the City has any
assistance plans for relocation or other hardships that could result to businesses if there is significant downtown
redevelopment in future. The committee said that inconveniences from private redevelopment such as
nonrenewal of leases, etc, would not be a City issue. If a road has to be closed or if a building entry has to be
blocked in order to undertake a development project, mitigation by the developer would be required as a
conditional of permit approval and/or through required SEPA mitigation.
Chair Diener adjourned the meeting at 11:12 a.m. Audio-only recording was successful.
Next Meeting/Location: June 4 at 9:30 am, in the 720 Prospect conference room.