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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - Minutes June 3, 2025CITY 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 June 3, 2025 Hybrid Meeting — Council Chambers/Zoom Teleconference COMMISSIONERS: Present: Tyler McKlosky (Chair), Annette Stewart (Vice Chair), Stephanie Bailey, Paul Fontenot, Joe Morrison, Tiffiny Mitchell Absent: Wayne Wright STAFF: Community Development Director Nick Bond, Principal Planner Jim Fisk, Associate Planner Connor Dahlquist 1. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner McKlosky called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There was one member of the public present in the chamber and three attending remotely. No comment was given on items not on the agenda. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 6, 2025: The May 6, 2025 minutes will be prepared for approval at the July 2025 meeting due to technical difficulties in recording at the May meeting. 5. BUSINESS ITEMS A. PUBLIC HEARING: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendments Public Comments are summarised and not transcribed verbatim. The minutes reflect the general substance of the comments made and are not intended to be a word for -word account. Full comment details can be listened to from the published video reeordht. Commissioner Stewart recused herself from the agenda item and vacated the room due to conflict of interest. Principal Planner Fisk presented the continued discussion on the proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan as a part of the 2025 update cycle. The public hearing originally was open at the May Planning Commission meeting and kept it open through the June Planning Commission meeting to allow for additional public comment and consideration. One written comment was provided by Bill Palmer before publication of the June 3'd Planning Commission packet. Two additional written comments were provided since then to Commissioners via email prior to the close of business on June 3`d, 2025. Hard copies were provided to commissioners at their seats for tonight's meeting. The post -packet publication comments raised concerns with potential development impacts associated with residential development. Fisk reminded Commissioners that it is the Planning Commission's role to evaluate the proposed changes to the comprehensive plan's land use designations and to not review or approve project specific development proposals. Impacts such as traffic, critical area protections, and infrastructure capacity are regulated and mitigated through subsequent development review processes in accordance with the Port Orchard Municipal Code. Fisk informed the Commission that, to date, none of the proposed amendments have been revised since their initial presentation. The 2025 amendment docket includes two city -initiated text amendments and three applicant -initiated amendments. Two items that were initially proposed have been removed from consideration including the Sherman Stormwater Park and the Hull Avenue rezone which will be reviewed as a site -specific rezone. The remaining items before the commission include two city -initiated amendments: one to the capital facilities element, the water expenditures table, and the second to the transportation improvement program. The applicant - initiated amendments, also in conjunction with the city's amendment, deals with the capital facilities element, specifically the water expenditures table. The fourth item is a map amendment which proposes to redesignate 13 parcels southwest of SW Old Clifton Road and Lloyd Parkway from Industrial to Medium Residential and a legislative rezone from Light Industrial to Residential 3. The area is environmentally constrained and not suitable for industrial development. Residential use is likely more consistent with the site's characteristics and existing infrastructure capacity. The Commission was asked to reopen the public hearing and take any final oral testimony and then close the public hearing, deliberate, and provide a recommendation to the city council on the full package of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments. The City Council meeting is tentatively scheduled to consider the commission's recommendation at its June 10th meeting following the completion of the required 60 -day Department of Commerce review. In -person audience member and applicant Mike Diaz provided comment to the Commission. Diaz shared that two concerns were brought up at the May 6th, 2025 public hearing. Diaz spoke with residents on Durfey Lane and decided to propose primary access for future development to a point off SW Old Clifton Rd instead of Durfey Lane. Diaz also addressed concerns about apartments being built if the rezone was approved and expressed that it was not of interest to him. Diaz shared that a consideration for R2 instead of R3 is welcome as that would not allow for the option of the apartment building -type. William (Bill) Palmer provided comment remotely on Zoom as the applicant's representative. Palmer emphasized the unsuitable nature of the parcels for industrial development and that nobody has pursued it as an industrial site for those reasons. Palmer stated that the criteria set forth by the city for rezones has been met by this proposal. Palmer reminded that details of access and project specifics are resolved during development -related application reviews and public hearings. Palmer reiterated Diaz's comments on only being interested in residential subdivision development and not apartments. John Medlock of 1740 SW Durfey Lane provided comment remotely on Zoom. Medlock expressed their continued concerns with only reviewing the proposal as a land use change and not considering project -specific impacts. Access through Durfey Lane would bring significant negative impact to current residents. Concerns about utility changes were also made and that existing water Page 2 of 5 and sewer access conditions are ideal for them. Medlock shared that keeping it zoned as industrial will allow for no impact to happen and to keep it consistent with current undeveloped conditions. Commissioner McKlosky closed the public hearing and opened it up to Commissioners for discussion. Commissioner Mitchell thanked those who participated and engaged in the public comment period. Mitchell also thanked the applicant and applicant representative for engaging the members of the impact who would be directly impacted. Commissioner Bailey shared their gratitude to the Commission for extending the public comment period which allowed for additional conversations between the applicant and property owners to find an access solution. Commissioner Fontenot shared their thoughts of concerns including the dismissive attitude toward the little possibility of future industrial development if it remained as -is, noting that such assumptions have proven incorrect in other communities. Fontenot acknowledged Diaz's efforts to explore alternate access routes but noted that no definitive plans have been made. He also shared the broader concern of simply relocating the development to another rural area, potentially causing similar community opposition. While the current decision is only a rezoning from industrial to R3 (residential), Fontenot noted conflicting views on the type of development proposed. He personally supports multifamily development over single-family housing, despite hearing some public concerns that the area already has enough apartments. A motion to recommend the amendments by Commissioner Morrison was moved. Commissioner Mitchell seconded. Motion: To recommend that the city council adopt an ordinance approving the 2025 comprehensive plan amendment including updates to the capital facilities element the transportation improvement program and amendments to the comprehensive plan map and legislative zoning map as presented Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Abstentions: I (Stewart) Motion passed. B. Discussion: Middle Housing Grant Deliverables Before introducing the middle housing material, Principal Planner Fisk shared an overview of the city's work to date under the middle housing grant provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce in 2023 and 2024. The work responds to new state legislation (HB 1110, SB 2321, HB 1337) requiring cities to allow a wider range of housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes in areas traditionally zoned for single-family use. The City entered a grant agreement with the Department of Commerce to establish deliverables for this effort. Page 3 of 5 Some milestones included the submission of an initial memorandum in June 2024 meeting Year I grant requirements, preparation of two technical memos (Design Standards Evaluation and Municipal Code Evaluation) developed with Planning Department's consultant AHBL, proposed amendments to R1, R2, and R3 zones to allow at least two units per lot, avoiding the need to repeal the R1 zone and ensuring compliance with Tier 3 requirements based on the city's current population, and consideration of future Tier 2 compliance strategies. These documents informed the draft Middle Housing Ordinance under review. Final adoption is required by June 30 to prevent the state's model code from overriding local regulations. No action was requested at this time but staff wanted to acknowledge the work that was done up to this point. Commissioners Fontenot expressed support for the middle housing ordinance, noting appreciation for the work completed over the past year. He emphasized his backing of increased multifamily housing and greater housing diversity, stating this ordinance is a positive step forward and that he is fully supportive of it. C. PUBLIC HEARING: Middle Housing Model Ordinance Development Regulations Principal Planner Fisk presented the topic of the public hearing, Middle Housing Ordinance, which is required in response to the new state legislation (HB 1110, SB 2321, HB 1337) requiring cities to allow a wider range of housing types. No members of the public were present in the chambers or online to provide comments. A motion to recommend the ordinance by Commissioner Morrison was moved. Commissioner Fontenot seconded. Motion: To recommend that the city council adopt an ordinance approving the proposed amendments to Port Orchard Municipal Code Title 20 collectively known as the middle housing ordinance as presented. Ayes: 6 Nays: 0 Abstentions: 0 Motion passed. D. DISCUSSION: DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Bond provided an update on the city's newly launched Pre -Approved ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Program, which has been in development for the past nine months. The program went live the previous Friday and has already generated significant community interest, becoming the city's second most -shared Facebook post of the year. The program currently features four pre - approved ADU models, ranging in size from 480 to 800 square feet, with options for both single - and two-story layouts. Two additional models, a 1,000 square foot rambler and a flexible carriage Page 4 of 5 house unit, are in development and expected to be available later this year. It aims to simplify the process for homeowners to add housing units by offering pre -approved plans, a detailed guide, and an online request form. While building plans are pre -approved, site -specific review and permits are still required. The program has received strong public interest and is part of a broader countywide effort to expand housing options with minimal neighborhood impact. Public outreach, including a farmers market booth, is underway. Commissioner Fontenot expressed strong support for the new ADU designs, highlighting public enthusiasm and noting their practicality and appeal. Speaking from personal experience as someone who lives in an ADU, Fontenot emphasized the importance of recognizing ADUs as legitimate housing, not just secondary family -only units. He praised the designs for helping to modernize traditional single-family neighborhoods and for contributing meaningfully to middle housing solutions, calling them a valuable and well -suited option for those seeking smaller, more efficient homes. ADJOURN: Commissioner McKlosky adjourned the meeting at 6:31 pm. v r McKlosky, Chair Nick Bond, Community Development Director Page 5 of 5