Packet May 1, 2018CITY OF PORT ORCHARD
Planning Commission
216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Voice: (360) 874-5533 • Fax: (360) 876-4980
The public is invited to speak and give testimony on any item under discussion by the Planning Commission. Please sign
in prior to speaking, walk to the podium, and after receiving recognition by the Chairman, state your name, address and
purpose for appearing. Please use the microphone for all of your testimony or comments.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
1. Call to Order: 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of allegiance
2. Audience Comments – Not on the Agenda
Please limit comments to 3 minutes.
3. Business Items
A. Discussion: 2018 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
B. Discussion: Zoning Code Update Public Participation Plan
4. Approval of Minutes from March 6, 2018
5. Adjourn
CITY OF PORT ORCHARD
Planning Commission Minutes
216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Phone: (360) 874-5533 • Fax: (360) 876-4980
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 6, 2018
COMMISSIONERS:
Present: Annette Stewart (chair), Stephanie Bailey, David Bernstein, Marcus Lane, Trish Tierney, Mark
Trenary, Kathleen Wilson
Absent: Suanne Martin Smith
STAFF PRESENT:
Community Development Director Nick Bond, Long Range Planner Keri Sallee
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance.
2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None.
3. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Public Hearing and Recommendation: Accessory Dwelling Unit Code. Chair Stewart opened the
public hearing on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) code. No comments were received. Chair Stewart
closed the public hearing. Community Development Director Bond gave a summary of the ADU code, and
said that Commissioner Trenary had requested changes to the code language regarding walkway
requirements, which Bond supported. Commissioner Trenary made a motion to recommend that the City
Council approve the ADU code, with the changes requested by Trenary. Commissioner Tierney seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Public Hearing and Recommendation: Title 20 “Housekeeping” Amendment and Repeal of Title
17. Chair Stewart opened the public hearing on the Title 20 housekeeping amendment and repeal of Title
17. No comments were received. Chair Stewart closed the public hearing. Long Range Planner Sallee
said that since Title 20 was adopted in 2017, DCD staff have been docketing minor errors, omissions,
internal inconsistencies and outdated information requiring correction. The housekeeping amendment has
been prepared to address all of these issues in one ordinance. Commissioner Tierney made a motion to
recommend that the City Council approve the Title 20 housekeeping amendment and repeal of Title 17 as
presented. Commissioner Trenary seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Discussion: Preliminary Agenda for 2018 Comprehensive Plan Amendments. Bond gave an
overview of the proposed agenda for the City’s 2018 amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. There are
two City-initiated site-specific (land use map) amendment proposals, for properties in the vicinity of
Crawford Rd and Old Clifton Rd, and one site-specific amendment from Overlook Apartments LLC, to
amend the land use designation of several parcels in Phase II of the Overlook development. The City has
also proposed several amendments to Appendix B (“Plans Adopted by Reference”) and the Parks Element
of the Comprehensive Plan, to reflect updates to the City’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), parks
inventory, and parks development and improvements program. The Planning Commission will be asked
to provide further review and input on the Comprehensive Plan amendments once the City Council has
approved the final agenda.
Page 2 of 2
D. Discussion: Zoning Code Update. Bond gave a Powerpoint presentation on the differences between
the City’s existing conventional Zoning Code and a “form based” zoning code. Form-based zoning
focuses on standards that create desirable and compatible buildings within a specific area, with more
emphasis on ensuring harmony of mass and scale, and less emphasis on specific uses within the buildings.
Bond used the recently-adopted zoning code of Teton Valley, Idaho, which was prepared by Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) consultants, as an example of a form-based code that also promotes variety in
housing types. The City’s current development standards for the R8 zone (the largest zone by area in the
City) allow single-family detached and attached residences, including duplexes, townhomes and cottage
courts. However, the code’s current “one lot size fits all” approach, with a minimum lot size of 5,445 sq
ft regardless of intended use, has resulted in nearly all development within the R8 zone being large
(3,000+ sq ft) detached single-family homes. Without the ability to create smaller lots, there is little
incentive for developers to create other owner-occupied housing types such as smaller detached houses,
townhomes and cottage courts. The Planning Commission will be asked to provide further review and
comment once a public participation plan and draft timeline has been prepared for the code update.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Tierney made a motion to approve the minutes from February
6, 2018. Commissioner Bailey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: Chair Stewart adjourned the meeting at 6:58 pm.
Annette Stewart, Chair
Nick Bond, City Development Director
CITY OF PORT ORCHARD
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Ph.: (360) 874-5533 • FAX: (360) 876-4980
1
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No: 3A Meeting Date: 5/1/2018
Subject:
Discussion: 2018
Comprehensive Plan
Amendments
Prepared by: Nick Bond, Development
Director
Issue: Pursuant to the requirements to Chapter 20.04 POMC, the City accepted applications for 2018
amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan through January 31, 2018. Three land use map
amendments and two text amendments were submitted by that deadline; all of the amendments except
for one (the Overlook land use map change) were City-initiated. The Planning Commission will consider
the amendments and provide a recommendation to City Council after a public hearing in June 2018.
Site-specific amendments:
• Crawford Rd Amendment: City-initiated amendment to change the comprehensive plan
designation and zoning of 15 lots and one tract (private access road) along Crawford Rd E totaling
approximately 2.64 acres, from Commercial/Commercial to Residential Low/R4.5.
This amendment is proposed to address the issues that have resulted from the single-family
houses on Crawford Road being designated as a “nonconforming use” according to the current
Commercial zoning. At present, the property owners cannot improve or expand the homes,
rebuild, or develop a home on an empty lot. There is little incentive to maintain the homes, and
financing for purchase or maintenance needs is difficult because of the nonconformity. The
neighborhood has become a constant code enforcement issue for the City. Given the small lot
sizes, and the fact that Crawford Road a is privately-owned dead-end road with substandard
width, it is not anticipated that this area will redevelop with commercial uses anytime in the near
future. It is hoped that if the zoning is changed to reflect the current single-family residential uses,
the property owners will have both the opportunity and incentive to improve and maintain the
existing homes.
• Old Clifton Rd Amendment: City-initiated amendment to change the comprehensive plan
designation and zoning of 8 parcels along Old Clifton Rd totaling approximately 12.49 acres, from
Urban Industrial/Employment Industrial & Office to Residential High/R20.
2
These parcels that front along Old Clifton Road are bisected by a stream located in a ravine
(Anderson Creek). Access to and use of the east side of the properties is highly constrained by the
creek and its buffers and associated steep slopes, and is not suited to industrial development.
Therefore, the City Council requested that staff prepare an amendment which would allow these
properties to be developed with residential uses, such as apartments, townhomes and other uses
of similar intensity.
• Overlook Apartments Amendment: Requested by Overlook Apartments Phase II, to change the
comprehensive plan designation and zoning of 7 undeveloped parcels at SE Orlando St and
Wendell Ave SE totaling 3.51 acres, from Residential Medium/R12 to Residential High/R20.
The Overlook Apartments developer has requested this change to allow more of the approved
apartment project density to be concentrated on the subject parcels, due to constraints from
steep slopes that may result in a need to move intense development away from these areas on
certain parcels to less-constrained areas on other parcels. The developer does not propose an
increase in the total number of units.
Text amendments:
• A right-of-way acquisition plan for the Bethel and Sedgwick corridors has been prepared, and is
proposed as an addition to Appendix B of the Comprehensive Plan (Plans Incorporated by
Reference).
• The City’s Transportation Improvement Plan has been updated to 2020-2025, and the reference in
Appendix B will be revised accordingly.
• The inventory in the Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan has been updated to include
Rockwell Pocket Park and the Waterfront Park Expansion, located on the downtown shoreline.
Attachments: Maps of Proposed Site-Specific Map Changes; Text Changes
BETHEL RD SERAMSEY RD SESE SALMONBERRY RD
SE BLUEBERRY RDREDEMPTION AVE SECORONET PL SESE BELFORD LNRHAPSODY DR SE
ANDASIO LOOP SESE CRAWFORD RD THIMBLEBERRY PL SESE SALMONBERRY RD
Crawford Road Am endment AreaProposed Change from Commercial to Residential Low (R4.5)
±
Crawford Rd Parcels
COM
R12
R4.5
R8
BETHEL RD SESE SALMONBERRY RD
SE CRAWFORD RD THIMBLEBERRY PL SESE SALMONBERRY RD
Crawford Road Am endment AreaProposed Change from Commercial to Residential Low (R4.5)
±
Crawford Rd Parcels
SW OLD CLIFTON RDS
T
A
T
E
H
W
Y 1
6 S
WTREMONT ST WL
I
ESEKE
L
N SWSW CHAWLA CT ADVANTAGE AVEL
L
OY
D
P
K
WY W STATE HWY 16STATE H
W
Y 16 EB ON RAMP S
W
MCCOOL PL SWSW DURFEY LN
R O S S S TSTATE HWY 16 WB OFF RAMP SWSW HANSON RD
INDEPENDENCE PL SWSTATE HWY 16 SWS W O LD C L IF T O N R D
W STATE HWY 16Old Clifton Road Amendment AreaProposed Change from Urban Industrial to Residential High (R20)
±
Subject Parcels
CF
COM
GB
IND
MXD
R12
R20
R4.5
R8
SW OLD CLIFTON RDSW CHAWLA CT
MCCOOL PL SWINDEPENDENCE PL SWL
I
ESEKE
L
N SWSW DURFEY LN
Old Clifton Road Amendment AreaProposed Change from Urban Industrial to Residential High (R20)
±
Subject Parcels
SE MILE HILL DR
SE HORSTMAN RD
OLNEY AVE SELIDSTROM RD SESE LOVELL STWHITTIER AVE SEORLANDO ST
SE MAPLE ST RUSSELL AVE SEE CALISTOGA CT
SPRAGUE ST
KIDD AVE SEHIGGINS RD SEHOLMES AVE SETIDEPOOL PL EFREEDOM CT SE
SE ORLANDO ST
HUNTINGTON ST
JACKSON AVE SEFIRCREST DR SEPAYSENO LN SEROOSEVELT AVE SEHARRISON AVE SETUFTS AVE EKELP PL EWENDELL AVE SELOWREN LOOP
MEDALLION PL E
COURAGE CT SEGLENMORE LOOP
SE LOVELL ST
Overlook Apartments Amendment AreaProposed Change from Residential Medium (R12) to Residential High (R20)
±
Selected Parcels
CF
COM
GB
IND
MXD
R12
R20
R4.5
R8
SE MILE HILL DROLNEY AVE SEWHITTIER AVE SESE HORSTMAN RD
SE LOVELL ST
ORLANDO ST
RUSSELL AVE SEHOLMES AVE SESE ORLANDO ST
FREEDOM CT SE
SPRAGUE ST
HUNTINGTON ST WENDELL AVE SEE CALISTOGA CT
COURAGE CT SEGLENMORE LOOPOverlook Apartments Amendment AreaProposed Change from Residential Medium (R12) to Residential High (R20)
±
Selected Parcels
CITY OF PORT ORCHARD
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Ph.: (360) 874-5533 • FAX: (360) 876-4980
1
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No: 3B Meeting Date: 5/1/2018
Subject:
Discussion: Zoning Code
Update Public Participation
Program
Prepared by: Nick Bond, Development
Director
Issue: The Department of Community Development is working on a comprehensive update to the City’s
Zoning Code, which is proposed to be adopted in 2018. Since zoning changes associated with the update
are potentially of interest to a large number of property and business owners throughout the City, staff
have prepared a draft Public Participation Program to provide the City’s zoning code update schedule and
proposed actions to engage the public in the update process, to indicate how information will be
disseminated to a broad range of interested parties, and to provide multiple options for the public to
provide comments and other input to reviewing bodies.
The draft Public Participation Program introduces the City’s Zoning Code and proposed update schedule,
provides the purpose and objectives of the update, explains the “form based zoning code” concept, and
presents the proposed “before” and “after” zoning categories. Additionally, the program indicates the
roles of the public, decision makers and other reviewers, and describes the methods and tools that will be
used to obtain public participation. The draft program has been provided for the Planning Commission’s
review and input, after which it will go to the City Council for approval.
Attachments: Draft Public Participation Program for 2018 Zoning Code Update
1
City of Port Orchard 2018
Zoning Code Update –
Form Based Zoning Code
Public Participation Program
City of Port Orchard Department of Community Development
Address: 720 Prospect Street, Port Orchard WA 98366
Phone: (360) 874-5533
E-mail: planning@cityofportorchard.us
Website: https://www.cityofportorchard.us/departments/community-development-
department/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/City-of-Port-Orchard-Government-
414575601968239/
Nick Bond, City Development Director
nbond@cityofportorchard.us
Keri Sallee, Long Range Associate Planner
ksallee@cityofportorchard.us
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I. INTRODUCTION
In June 2016, the City of Port Orchard adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan, which was followed
by the adoption of a new unified development code in June 2017. In February 2018, the City adopted
architectural and site design standards. As the City continues to work toward implementing the goals
and policies of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, the City proposes to update several chapters of the
zoning code. The chapters that the City proposes to update are as follows:
o 20.12 Definitions
o 20.30 Zoning Map
o 20.34 Zoning Districts
o 20.38 Overlay Districts
o 20.46 Designated Land Uses
o 20.54 Non-conforming Uses, Buildings, and Structures
o 20.58 Temporary Uses
o 20.60 Home Businesses
o 20.62 Mobile Home Regulations
o 20.64 Marijuana Related Uses
o 20.66 Vehicle Service and Repair Accessory to Residential Uses
o 20.100 Subdivision Design Standards
o 20.120 Development Standards – General Provisions
o 20.122 Common Development Standards
o 20.124 Development Standards – Parking and Circulation
o 20.128 Development Standards – Landscaping
Please note that some of these chapters will be renumbered and reorganized while others may be
repealed in their entirety. In addition, some new chapters are proposed. An outline of the proposed
zoning code (including only chapters being revised, renumber, or new chapters) follows:
Subtitle I.
• 20.12 Definitions
Subtitle III. Zoning Regulations
o 20.30 Introduction to Zoning Regulations
o 20.31 Zoning Map
o 20.32 Building Types
o 20.33 Greenbelt District
o 20.34 Residential Districts
o 20.35 Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts
o 20.36 Industrial Districts
o 20.37 Civic and Open Space Districts
o 20.38 Overlay Districts
o 20.39 Zoning and Land Use (including zoning tables and use provisions)
o 20.46 (Repeal – Chapter is renumbered as 20.39)
o 20.54 Non-conforming Uses, Buildings, and Structures
o 20.58 Temporary Uses
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Subtitle IV Supplemental Zoning Regulations
o 20.60 (Repeal – Chapter is included in new 20.39)
o 20.62 Mobile Home Regulations
o 20.64 (Repeal – Chapter is included in new 20.39)
o 20.66 (Repeal – Chapter is included in new 20.39)
Subtitle V Division of Land
o 20.100 Subdivision Design Standards
Subtitle VI Development Standards and Regulations
o 20.120 Development Standards – General Provisions
o 20.122 Building Elements
o 20.124 Parking and Circulation
o 20.125 Lighting
o 20.128 Landscaping
The City seeks to move to a new “form-based” zoning code to replace the existing conventional zoning
code, which emphasizes land use over building form. Conventional zoning emphasizes the separation
of land uses (residential, commercial, etc) as the primary means of obtaining compatible physical forms
(buildings) within a specific area. Form-based zoning focuses on standards that create desirable and
compatible buildings within a specific area, with more emphasis on mass and scale, and less emphasis
on use. A form-based zoning code addresses the multiple relationships between building facades and
nearby public/pedestrian areas, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the
scale and types of streets and blocks. The regulations in a form-based zoning code are intended to be
presented in both pictoral diagrams and words, and are intended to provide a plan that designates the
appropriate form and scale (and therefore, character) of development rather than only distinctions in
land-use types. This is in contrast to conventional zoning's focus on the micromanagement and
segregation of land uses, and the control of development intensity through abstract and
uncoordinated parameters (e.g., floor area ratios, dwelling units per acre, setbacks, parking ratios) to
the neglect of an integrated built form.
The state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) requires early and continuous public participation in
Comprehensive Plan and municipal code updates, as provided in RCW 36.70A.140:
“Each county and city that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 shall establish and
broadly disseminate to the public a public participation program identifying procedures providing for
early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of comprehensive land
use plans and development regulations implementing such plans. The procedures shall provide for
broad dissemination of proposals and alternatives, opportunity for written comments, public meetings
after effective notice, provision for open discussion, communication programs, information services,
and consideration of and response to public comments ...”
The purpose of this document is to identify the City of Port Orchard's public participation objectives,
approach, audiences, schedule, and opportunities for public participation. This document may be
updated over time to reflect the needs of the Comprehensive Plan and municipal code update project
and experiences in early outreach to ensure public participation is effective.
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II. OBJECTIVES
The Zoning Code Update Public Participation Objectives include:
• Meet the public participation goals of the GMA.
• Implement the goals and policies of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan with an emphasis on the
following goals and objectives:
Policy LU-1: Ensure that land use and zoning regulations maintain and enhance existing
single-family residential neighborhoods, while encouraging that new development provide a
mixed range of housing types.
Policy LU-3: Update and establish building and site design standards that support an
attractive and functional built environment in all areas of the City.
Policy LU-25: Incorporate the following principles in planning for commercial areas:
o Create lively and attractive places at a human scale.
o Support a mix of retail, office, and residential uses in multistory structures.
o Create transitions between commercial areas and surrounding residential
neighborhoods.
o Protect residential areas from excessive noise, exterior lighting, glare, visual
nuisances, and other conditions that detract from the quality of the living
environment.
o Encourage multi-modal transportation options, especially during peak traffic
periods.
o Promote an intensity and density of land uses sufficient to support effective transit
and pedestrian activity.
o Promote a street pattern that provides through connections, pedestrian and
vehicular access.
o Establish urban and architectural design standards that support an attractive and
functional pedestrian environment, such as block size limits and requiring street-
facing windows and doors.
o Encourage pedestrian travel to and within commercial areas by providing:
o Safe and attractive walkways.
o Close groupings of land uses.
o Parking lot design that provides safe walking routes and pedestrian connections
between adjacent properties.
o Off-street surface parking to the backs or sides of buildings to maximize pedestrian
access from the sidewalk(s).
Policy LU-28: In conjunction with the proposed Centers strategy, enhance downtown
Port Orchard’s role as the center of the South Kitsap region, reflecting the following
principles in development standards and land use plans:
o Encourage land uses that support transit centers and promote pedestrian activity.
o Promote a mix of uses, including retail, office, and housing.
o Encourage uses that will provide both daytime and evening activities.
o Support civic, cultural, and entertainment activities.
o Provide sufficient public open space and recreational opportunities.
o Enhance, and provide access to, the waterfront.
5
o Develop enhanced design guidelines and design review requirements that promote
attractive, pedestrian-scale development and redevelopment within the City’s
historic downtown area.
Policy CN-12: The City shall create and designate zoning that allows a mix of uses to
accommodate concentrations of employment and housing. (Centers Goals 2,3,4; Economic
Development and Housing Elements).
Policy CN-20: Adopt design standards for Gateways.
Policy CN-24: Create an aesthetically pleasing entryway to the City with the use of high-
quality signs, artwork, and landscaping.
Policy HS-1 : Support the development of a variety of housing types, including
apartments, townhomes, mixed-use (residential and other uses) and live-work development,
small-lot and zero lot line single-family homes, and manufactured homes, as well as
traditional single-family homes, through innovative planning, efficient and effective
administration of land and building codes, and, where available, applicable financial
assistance.
Policy HS-19: Consider commercial building design standards that establish and protect
neighborhood character.
Policy ED-27: The City shall, through changes to the land use code, encourage mixed use
developments within centers of local importance that will enhance the visual, economic,
and environmental quality of these areas and improve the transition between commercial
and residential districts.
Policy TR-81: Develop design guidelines and standards for street wise landscaping,
sidewalks, and maintenance within new developments.
Policy TR-104: Restore/create unique neighborhood aesthetics via formation of distinctive
streetscapes and traffic controlling devices.
Land Use Goal 7: Encourage the development of active, vibrant, and attractive destinations
throughout the community.
Housing Goal 6: Formulate and implement innovative development regulations and design
standards that maintain and strengthen neighborhood character.
Transportation Goal 18: Provide aesthetically pleasing streets.
• Offer engaging opportunities to the Port Orchard community to participate in planning and
comment on the future of the city.
• Provide objective information to assist the public in understanding issues and solutions.
• Provide opportunities for the public to provide feedback through all phases of the review.
• Use a variety of participation methods (such as meetings, media, social media, mailers, etc.) to
offer all residents a variety of ways to participate.
• Make the review inclusive to people of all ages, races, cultures, and genders.
• Make the plan itself easily accessible to residents of the community.
• Ask new questions of the community in order to gain new insights about Port Orchard and
choices about the Comprehensive Plan polices, regulations, and implementation strategies.
• Identify GMA requirements, policy trade-offs, and opportunities to voice unique conditions
about Port Orchard.
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III. APPROACH
Port Orchard’s Department of Community Development has been researching the zoning codes of
neighboring jurisdictions and has been reviewing national models for the development of zoning
regulations. In early 2018, the City learned of a model form-based zoning code developed using a US
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant for the Teton Valley area of Idaho. This
model code was developed by a consultant, Code Studio, and has been dedicated for public use by
HUD. Included with this model code was a user handbook that provides instructions to users for
adaptation of the code to other locations.
This model code is available for review online: http://tetonvalleycode.org/model-code/
Due to the City’s limited staff and financial resources, the City has chosen to adapt this model code for
the City’s use rather than trying to write its own code or to update its existing code, which has not
produced the types of design outcomes that the City’s leaders seek to provide for its residents.
Department of Community Development (DCD) staff will be responsible for drafting the code chapters
using this model code and will coordinate with other City departments and legal counsel as necessary.
DCD will handle the task of noticing public hearings and documenting and responding to public
comments.
The City’s existing zoning framework will be expanded to include additional categories for both
residential and non-residential uses, as part of the City’s efforts to provide more flexibility for various
development types. Some zones are not changing significantly other than in name. For proposed
zoning, the equivalent “before” and “after” zoning categories are shown below:
Current Zoning Category Updated Zoning Category Notes
Residential 4.5 R1
Residential 8 R2
Residential 12 R3
Residential 20 R4
R5
The current zoning code does
not have an equivalent
category to R5. R5 is
proposed to allow more
intense multifamily
development compared to
what was previously allowed
in the R20 zone.
Residential 8 MWD R6
R8MWD/R6 zoning applies
only within the McCormick
Woods master plan area.
7
Current Zoning Category Updated Zoning Category Notes
Greenbelt Greenbelt
Business Professional Residential Mixed Use
Neighborhood Mixed Use
Currently there is no
equivalent zoning
designation.
Mixed Use Commercial Mixed Use
Downtown Overlay District Downtown Mixed Use
Downtown Overlay District
Gateway Gateway Mixed Use
General Commercial Commercial Corridor
General Commercial will
either become CC or CH,
depending on location
characteristics.
General Commercial Commercial Heavy
General Commercial will
either become CC or CH,
depending on location
characteristics.
Industrial Flex
Currently there is no
equivalent zoning
designation.
Employment Industrial/Office Light Industrial
Heavy Industrial
Currently there is no
equivalent zoning
designation.
IV. AUDIENCES
There are several audiences - individuals and agencies - that will participate in the Zoning Code Update,
and each will become engaged in the process in different ways:
• General Public: Port Orchard residents, property owners, and business owners.
• Elected and Appointed Officials: City Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners, Design Review
Board Members.
• Non-City Service Providers: Special districts such as Water and Sewer District, Fire District,
Kitsap Transit, etc.
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Port Orchard and
other service clubs, the Port Orchard Bay Street Association (POBSA), Kitsap Alliance of
Property Owners (KAPO), Futurewise, etc.
• State, Regional, and Other Local Governments: Puget Sound Regional Council, Kitsap County,
Kitsap Regional Council, The Suquamish Tribe, the cities of Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Poulsbo and
Bainbridge Island, WSDOT, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Ecology, the Port
of Bremerton, and the Department of Natural Resources.
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V. ROLE OF DECISION MAKERS
City Council: The City Council will provide policy guidance and is the final decision maker for the
Zoning Code update. Council members will be notified of public workshops and are invited to
participate early on in the planning process. All public workshops will be noticed appropriately so that
all Council members are able to fully participate in these events in the event of a quorum. The Council
will receive periodic briefings on the update and will review the Planning Commission
recommendations on the Zoning Code update. The Council may hold a public hearing on the final draft
Zoning Code prior to taking final action.
Planning Commission: The Planning Commission will provide policy recommendations for the Zoning
Code Update and ensure that the public is involved throughout the process. The Planning Commission
will review the draft update on a chapter by chapter basis, providing opportunities for public
comments while providing feedback and recommendations to the administration. All public
workshops will be noticed appropriately so that all Planning Commission members are able to fully
participate in these events in the event of a quorum. The Planning Commission will hold (a) public
hearing (s) on the proposed zoning code update prior to making its final recommendation to the City
Council in the fall of 2018.
Administration: The Mayor and City Staff will lead the work on the developing the zoning code
update. They will facilitate public meetings and present draft materials to the Planning Commission
and City Council for review. They will revise documents as needed and provide all materials to
Planning Commissioners and City Council members in a timely manner.
VI. ROLE OF THE PUBLIC
The Zoning Code is written for and with review and comment from the public. It contains their
preferences, ideas, and objectives as derived from the Comprehensive Plan. During the zoning code
update it is important to retain the public’s interest by making citizen participation as accessible as
possible. However, the process is driven largely by the previously adopted 2016 Comprehensive Plan
and its goals and policies, which were adopted after more than 2 years of public outreach. While the
Comprehensive Plan contains broad goals and policies, the zoning code is a highly technical document
that requires significant input from the City’s professional staff and legal team. With that said, there
are many discretionary decisions that will need to be made such as determining which uses and
building types are appropriate to a zone or how particular zones should be applied on a zoning map.
Public input that will be used in making these decisions will be requested and obtained through
advertising, outreach, and stakeholder involvement.
Goal 11 of the GMA requires citizen participation and coordination: “Encourage the involvement of
citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to
reconcile conflicts.” The Washington State Department of Commerce lists benefits of including citizens
in the process:
• Enhances the quality of planning by incorporating a wide variety of information and
perspectives.
• Allows communities to make decisions based on shared values.
• Engage citizens in the ownership of local land use challenges and solutions.
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• Educates and empowers citizens.
• Supports swift and efficient project implementation.
• Ensures that good plans remain relevant over time.
• Fosters a sense of community, and trust in government.
VII. METHODS AND TOOLS
Techniques for public participation vary in scale, technology, structure, and timing. The primary means
of participation will be the public hearings before the Planning Commission, where the draft zoning
code will be considered in pieces prior to holding a final hearing on the final draft zoning code. Because
not all interested citizens can attend public hearings, it is essential to provide alternate means of
communication. The following tools will be employed to achieve widespread and ongoing citizen
involvement:
• Public presentations before the Planning Commission
o In addition, the Planning Commission may choose to host an open house.
• Public presentations before the City Council Land Use Committee
• Meetings with stakeholder groups
• Online surveys to gather public input on issues of a highly discretionary nature.
• Online posts of draft materials for public review.
• Public notices seeking written comments (including outreach through social media)
• Public hearings
o The Planning Commission will conduct public hearings proposed changes to the zoning
regulations prior to making a recommendation to the City Council. Written and oral
testimony will be accepted at public hearings.
o The City Council may conduct an additional public hearing on the final draft zoning code
prior to adoption.
• SEPA
o The City’s environmental review process will include opportunities for the public to
provide comments on the proposed plan and its possible adverse environmental
impacts.
• Interested Parties List
o The City will build and maintain an interested parties notification list and will provide
notice to interested parties when opportunities to participate in public workshops or to
provide testimony exist.
• Direct Mailing
o Direct mailing notices will be provided where substantive changes in zoning designation
are proposed. The Table in section III helps to illustrate whether a change is primarily in
name vs. a substantive change. If new zone is listed on the same line as the old zone in
the table in Section III, notice will not be provided. If the new zone is on a different line
from the old zone, then notice will be mailed. For instance, if a property’s zoning is
changing from R4.5 to R1, notice will not be provided, but if a property’s zoning is
changing from R4.5 to R3, notice will be provided. Likewise, for Commercial zones, a
property changing from General Commercial to Commercial Corridor or Commercial
Heavy will not require a direct mailing notice, but a property changing from General
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Commercial to Neighborhood Mixed Use will require a direct mailing notice because the
new limitations on development would be significant.
XIII. SCHEDULE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
May 1, 2018: Planning Commission review of Public Participation Program.
May 7, 2018: Land Use Committee review and recommendation on Public Participation Program.
May 8, 2018: City Council consideration and adoption of Public Participation Program.
May 10, 2018: City issues Survey #1 seeking input from public on zoning issues.
May 14, 2018: Staff presentation to Economic Development Committee concerning Zoning code
update.
May 31, 2018: Survey results released.
June 4, 2018: Land Use Committee standing discussion item.
June 5, 2018: Regular Planning Commission Meeting (public comment opportunity): Introduction of
draft chapters as follows:
o 20.33 Greenbelt District
o 20.34 Residential Districts
o 20.35 Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts
o 20.36 Industrial Districts
o 20.37 Civic and Open Space Districts
o 20.38 Overlay Districts
o 20.39 Zoning and Land Use (including zoning tables and use provisions)
July 2, 2018: Land Use Committee standing discussion item.
July 2018 Planning Commission meeting (Date TBD due to 4th of July): Public hearing on items
presented at June 5, 2018 meeting. Introduction to the following:
o 20.32 Building Types
o 20.54 Non-conforming Uses, Buildings, and Structures
o 20.58 Temporary Uses
o 20.120 Development Standards – General Provisions
o 20.122 Building Elements
o 20.124 Parking and Circulation
o 20.125 Lighting
o 20.128 Landscaping
August 6, 2018: Land Use Committee standing discussion Item.
August 7, 2018 Planning Commission meeting: Public hearing on items introduced at July 2018
meeting. Introduction to remaining zoning code changes and draft zoning map.
September 4, 2018 Planning Commission hearing on complete draft zoning ordinance. Possible
recommendation on draft ordinance.
September 18, 2018: Begin City Council review of zoning ordinance at work study meeting.
October 2, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting: If needed for continued hearing and/or for final
recommendation to City Council.
October 16, 2018: Possible discussion of draft ordinance at work study meeting.
October 23, 2018: Possible public hearing and action by the City Council (tentative, this date may occur
earlier or later depending on progress at the Planning Commission).
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IX. CONCLUSION
An opportunity to provide public comment on this Public Participation Program was provided on May
1, 2018 at the regular meeting the Port Orchard Planning Commission. At this meeting, the Planning
Commission recommended that the City Council approve the program. The Port Orchard City Council
adopted the program at its regular meeting on May 8, 2018. This program may be updated
administratively as conditions change or additional resources to support outreach activities become
available. A current copy of the program shall be available for viewing at the front counter of the
Department of Community Development and on the City’s website.