06/16/2020 - Work Study - MinutesCity of Port Orchard
Council Meeting Minutes
Work Study Session Meeting of June L6,2020
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CAIL
Mayor Putaansuu called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m
Roll call was taken by the City Clerk as follows:
Councilmember Ashby
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Clauson
Councilmember Cucciardi
Councilmember Diener
Councilmember Lucarelli
Mayor Pro-Tem Rosapepe
Mayor Putaansuu
Remote Access
Remote Access
Remote Access
Remote Access
Remote Access
Remote Access
Present via
Present via
Present via
Absent
Absent
Present via
Present via
Present via
Staff present via Remote Access: Community Development Director Bond, Long Range Associate
Planner Sallee, Assistant City Engineer Hammer, City Engineer Dorsey, Finance Director Crocker, City
Attorney Archer and City Clerk Rinearson.
Mayor Putaansuu said Pursuant to the Governor's "Stay Home - Stay Safe" Order, the City will
conduct the meeting through Zoom.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Putaansuu led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance
1. Multifamily Property Tax Exemption Requirements-Chapter 3.48
Community Development Director Bond noted the City was approached about 18-months ago by a
developer next to the Fred Meyer on Sedgwick who was seeking to have the property designated for
Multifamily Tax Exemption. When the request came in, we did not have a process for considering
amending our tax exemption map to include that property for the 8-year exemption they were
seeking. Being that the City is new at the multifamily tax exemption process, we wanted to develop
a process and an approach to better utilize that tool. This has also been discussed at the Land Use
Committee, and we came up with 3 types; Type L tax exemptions would provide l2-year exemptions
for affordable housing and provide additional standards to be met; Type 2 exemptions would be an
8-year exemption to encourage redevelopment with very few strings attached, and would recognize
the relatively higher cost of redevelopment as compared to greenfield development; and Type 3
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exemptions would be an 8-year exemption for what would generally be characterized as greenfield
development, where the City only provides the incentive if certain performance standards are met.
Council, Mayor, and staff discussed Type L, 2, and 3, transit routes and stops, locations of multifamily
tax exemptions, centers designations, maximum rent prices, adopted map, abandoned buildings,
cost of development discount, parking, mixed-use buildings, and participation in the City's
Transportation Development Rights (TDR).
Mr. Bond noted since Council had no objections, he will start working on the map and bring forward
to the Land Use Committee and then back to Council for review before adoption.
Council Direction: No direction was given.
2. 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Community Development Director Bond said we received several City initiated amendments this year
including text and map amendments. We also received one text amendment from a property owner
within the City. The City initiated amendments to amend the land use element, the utilities element,
the transportation element, adopt a new Transportation lmprovement Program (TlP) for both six and
twenty-year, and update the list of plans adopted by reference to reflect the correct TIP that is
proposed for adoption.
He further explained the proposed text and map amendments which updates the City's
Comprehensive Plan, plans list, maps, TlP, several land use designation changes, and the Geiger Road
LLC text amendment.
Council, Mayor, and staff discussed the amendments including projects related to growth and
development, revisiting rates, City wells, stormwater, future discussion with the Transportation
Committee, Public Works Standards, local access streets and roadway designations, grant funding,
design process for projects, TIP clarifications, complete streets, zoning map, Kitsap County parcels,
and tax exemptions.
Mr. Bond said this topic may go back before Council in July depending on how things go during the
Transportation Committee meeting.
Council Direction: No direction was given.
3. Revisions to Residential Design Standards - Chapters 20.32.020,2O.32.4O and 20.122.06O
Community Development Director Bond said we were approached by McCormick Communities and
Quadrant, as they were looking to buy a McCormick North subdivision and pointed out a handful of
design standards, they felt did not make sense. For the most part, staff agreed with the changes they
proposed with the exception of one. The amendments were taken to the Planning Commission who
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recommended approval of everything except two of the amendments. The amendment that staff did
not recommend, the Planning Commission also did not recommend, but they also declined to
advance another one of the requests. Now, there are two alternatives; the Planning Commission
recommendation; and the staff alternative that shows the additional provision that we
recommended, but the Planning Commission did not. We are seeking direction from Council on
which alternative to move forward with.
The revisions address elevation requirements for detached houses on sloping lots or lots below
adjacent right-of-way; location of primary access to a detached house; allowing "carriage units" in
cottage court developments; and amending requirements for front porches.
The issue the Planning Commission did not recommend was the minimum lot width for three car
garages be reduced from 74 feet to 60 feet, and the Planning Commission and staff did not
recommend allowing two-car side-by-side garages on townhomes. Mr. Bond noted it is up to Council
to consider what to bring forward for adoption.
Council, Mayor, and staff discussed the alternatives including parking of golf carts, storage and
parking issues, and financials.
Councilmember Lucarelli indicated she would like to drive out and view the development before
making a recommendation.
Council Direction: No direction was given.
4. Traffic lmpact Fee Study Update and Alternatives
Community Development Director Bond said at the May work stud% we brought forward 3
alternatives. Some Councilmembers had questions regarding methodology and the math used to
calculate the impact fee.
ln response to Mr. Bond, Andrew Bratlien with Transportation Solutions, lnc. explained the
spreadsheets outlining the 3 alternatives, cost estimates, local shares, growth share, dollar amounts,
and how the total cost translates to the impact fee.
Council, Mayor, and staff discussed the alternatives and agreed they would like to move forward
with the red alternative [allTransportation lmpact Fee Projects].
Council Direction: No direction was given.
5. Significant Trees and Tree Canopy Protection-Chapter 2O.L29
Community Development Director Bond noted people were required to receive City Council
permission if they wanted to cut down a tree that was bigger than 36 inches. We changed that
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requirement a few years ago, as it did not seem like a good use of Council time, so we adopted a
more rigid structure where it was administrative and if you wanted to cut a significant tree you had
to replace it in a specified ratio. The problem with this came up with the Geiger subdivision where
almost all the trees were significant. Replacing 400 trees and a 3-to-1 ratio did not leave any room
for houses. Greg Krabbe with McCormick Communities pointed him to a Snohomish County code
that was different from our approach. lf you are looking to have a tree community moving forward,
we need standards that require developers to plant a lot of trees within the development, so they
grow strong in conditions and not blow down on houses. Basically, allowing for mass grading
activities but requiring that we plan for a twenty-year tree canopy.
A tree canopy ordinance was brought to the Planning Commission that would replace our significant
tree ordinance, but we ended up bringing a lot of our significant tree restrictions back and
establishing a tree canopy ordinance. This was mentioned to the development community and we
did not receive a lot of feedback.
Council, Mayor, and staff discussed the proposed ordinance and the City's current significant tree
code.
Council Direction: Staff was asked to reach out to the building and development community and get
their feedback on the Planning Commissions proposed changes.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Mayor Putaansuu spoke to the Phase 3 application; opening of City Hall to the public; future Council
and advisory committee meetings; continuing virtual meetings; facemasks in the workplace; use of
CARES Act funding; and Small Business Grant Program update.
Finance Director Crocker reported they are working on a contract with the Department of Commerce
which will go before Council next week for approval.
Community Development Director Bond reported there is now a webpage for the Downtown Plan
update which is linked to the top of the City's website. The survey is now live and can be accessed
through the City's website.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m. No other action was taken. Audio/Visual was successful
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