05/09/2016 - MinutesCity of Port Orchard
Economic Development and Tourism Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 9, 2016
Committee Members Present: Council Members Bek Ashby, Fred Chang and Clancy Donlin.
City Staff and Officials: Mayor Rob Putaansuu, Development Director Nick Bond, Associate Planner Keri Sallee. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ashby at 9:07 a.m.
1. Discussion: Welcome Kit. Mayor Putaansuu gave an overview of the draft Welcome Kit for new businesses. Suggestions from the Committee will be incorporated by the City Clerk into a revised draft, which will be scheduled for the City Council’s May 17 work-study meeting.
2. Discussion: Sidewalk/ROW Use Code and Permitting. Development Director Bond said that the City Attorney is working on code language to address this issue, and should have a draft to him by the end of next week. This item will be placed on the Committee’s June agenda for discussion.
3. Discussion: Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails Sites. Mayor Putaansuu gave an update on the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails planning efforts, and discussed proposed signage for the City’s designated water trail sites. Chair Ashby said that trails informational material should indicate if sites have access difficulties at low tide, such as Westbay Beach. Issues of obtaining property owner permission and Port cooperation were also discussed. Associate Planner Sallee will forward Committee comments to the County water trails coordinator.
4. Update: May 3 Planning Commission Hearing on Comprehensive Plan. Bond reported that there were no public comments at the hearing, although on the day of the hearing staff received a letter from the Department of Fish and Wildlife requesting several revisions. The Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve the draft comprehensive plan with the Fish and Wildlife revisions. Staff will post an updated version of the draft plan on the City’s website by the end of the week, and will notify Council and other interested parties when this is done. The draft plan is scheduled for the Council’s May 17 work-study meeting.
5. Update: Tax Abatements. Bond presented a draft property tax exemption code, Chapter 3.48, that would provide time-limited exemptions from property taxation for multi-family housing in designated residential targeted areas, consistent with RCW 84.14. The Committee discussed a draft map showing potential locations for targeted areas. Staff will continue working on the draft code with the City Attorney, and will schedule it for the Council’s June 21 work-study meeting. Ashby said that a citizen had contacted her about the possibility of holding multi-team athletic tournaments in the City. She would like the Committee to research opportunities and challenges for hosting such events, which would require coordinating with the County and sports organizations. Ashby recommended that the City be proactive and develop policy guidelines for use of the waterfront parking lot by outside events. It will be important to ensure that such uses do not cause the City to lose revenue, that downtown businesses and traffic will not be unduly impacted, and that daily commuters can still be accommodated. The Committee will continue discussion on this item at a future meeting. Bond updated the Committee on the status of McCormick Woods Phase 5. The developer may be interested in funding a subarea plan for the area north of Old Clifton Rd between Feigley Rd and Campus Parkway. Ashby adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Next Meeting/Location: May 9, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.