HomeMy WebLinkAbout10a_October 1, 2024CITY 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
October 1, 2024
Hybrid Meeting - Zoom Teleconference
COMMISSIONERS:
Present: Annette Stewart (Vice Chair), Stephanie Bailey, Paul Fontenot. Joe Morrison, Wayne Wright
Absent: Tyler McKlosky (Chair), Louis Ta
STAFF:
Community Development Director Nick Bond, Principal Planner Jim Fisk, Associate Planner Shaun
Raja, Assistant Planner Connor Dahlquist
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were three members of the public present attending remotely and none
attending in the chamber. There were no comments regarding issues not on the agenda.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 19,2024: Commissioner Stewart asked if the other
commissioners had reviewed the minutes from the August 19th, 2024 meeting and if anyone had any
issues or proposed amendments. Seeing none, a motion was entertained to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Wright moved to approve the minutes with Commissioner Fontenot as a second. The
motion passed unanimously.
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. DISCUSSION: 2024 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE OVERVIEW.
Principal Planner Jim Fisk provided an overview of the Comprehensive Plan's purpose, process,
engagement methods, and involved consultants.
AHBL Consultant Alex Campbell gave a presentation on the regulatory framework informing the
Comprehensive Plan update, specifically the recent legislation impacting middle housing
requirements. Campbell also gave an overview of the ten elements that comprise the
Comprehensive Plan.
Principal Planner Jim Fisk shared the staff and consultants' confidence that the Comprehensive
Plan update is in line with the Growth Management Act, Puget Sound Regional Council's Vision
2050, and countywide planning policies. Fisk also shared that the City issued a Determination of
Non -significance on September 24th for the Comprehensive Plan update and the plan elements
were submitted to the Department of Commerce for a 60 -day review on September 25th. The plan
was also submitted to the Puget Sound Regional Council for a 30 -day review on October 1St
Fisk requested the Commission to open a hearing for public testimony regarding the
Comprehensive Plan update and that additional Commission comments should be submitted in
writing no later than October 15th so that suggestions may be implemented before the October 29th
Commission meeting. However, comments will be accepted through the close of the hearing.
Public comment will be closed at the October 29`" meeting and the plan will move forward for
recommendation.
Commissioner Stewart thanked the staff and consultants who participated in the update and opened
a public hearing for testimony on the Comprehensive Plan update.
A member of the public, Jessica Hartsell, gave comment of concern on the plan's transportation
element. Hartsell emphasized the importance of connected and protected bike and pedestrian
pathways and shared that the preferred Bethel -Lund and Sedgewick-Bethel subarea plans do not
provide sufficient bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Hartsell shared that there should be a
master plan of these types of pathways which promote alternative forms of transportation for those
who do not want to drive or cannot drive. Hartsell highlighted Port Orchard's waterfront trail and
Gig Harbor's Cushman trail are great examples of promoting activity and taking pressure off of the
roadways through alternative forms of transportation.
Ian Harkins provided comment on behalf of the Kitsap Building Association. Harkins shared
concern on the Land Use element, specifically the City's use of impact fees to curb new
development and believes it will punish homebuilders and homeowners creating increased
unaffordability.
Harkins also shared support of the Housing element in increasing workforce housing near transit
and employment centers but shared that there is a lack of incentives for existing property owners
and future developers to participate in creating these centers.
Harkins commented on needed clarification in the Housing element on the reintroduction of the
Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption as the Plan update calls for a reintroduction of it after being
appealed the previous year, as well as clarification on the Plan's verbiage of "streamlining of
development regulations for permitting multifamily and middle housing."
Commissioner Stewart thanked members of the public for providing testimony and asked if other
Planning Commissioners had feedback.
Commissioner Wright gave comment that Plan formatting and text edits still need to be made as he
had previously brought up. Wright also asked that the comment matrix is reflective of feedback
that has been given by the Commissioners and visible for the public.
Commissioner Wright thanked the staff and AHBL for their hard work on the Plan.
Commissioner Morrisson also gave gratitude to city staff and AHBL.
Commissioner Fontenot thanked the members of the public who attended and gave feedback. He
emphasized how important these comments are appreciative of their time.
Page 2 of 3
B. DISCUSSION: DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Director Bond gave an update that the City's council chambers should be completed before the
October 29th meeting.
ADJOURN: Commissioner Stewart adjourned the meeting at . 4 r'.
Annette Stewart, Vice Chair
Nick Bond, Community Development Director
Page 3 of 3