06/04/2007 - Special - MinutesPRESENT: Kim E. Abel, Mayor
City of Port Orchard City Council
Deli be ration
Regarding the Downtown Overlay District
June 4, 2007
Council Members: Wyatt, Chang, Clauson, Geiger, Dilenno and
Putaansuu. Council Member Powers absent.
ALSO PRESENT: Public Works Director Abed, Planning Director Long-Woods, City
Clerk Merlino, and Assistant City Attorney Greg Jacoby.
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Abel opened the meeting advising the Council that Assistant City
Attorney Jacoby has prepared a draft outline for a possible Design Review Board and
asked the Council to review this document for discussion at the next meeting.
Mayor Abel started the Council deliberation on maximum structure heights and asked
each Council Member for their comments and/or recommendations.
Council Member Putaansuu recommended north side of Bay Street, no more than 39
feet no amenities, south side of Bay Street 39 feet and up to 55 feet with amenities.
Council Member Chang recommended the Council reference building heights rather
than structural heights, due to the uphill topography of the downtown core area.
Council Member Chang at this time did not have any definite number for building
heights.
Council Member Geiger disagreed with allowing amenities in exchange for extra heights.
Council Member Geiger recommended all new structures should include some type of
amenities, such as street trees, fountains, etc., however not in exchange for additional
building heights.
Council Member Clauson concurred with Council Member Putaansuu regarding heights
on the north and south side of Bay Street. Council Member Clauson asked for more
discussion on amenities on whether what is being proposed as amenities is worth the
additional height factor.
May 15, 2007
Page 2 of 3
Council Member Dilenno suggested the top floors terraced to allow for view corridors.
Council Member Dilenno expressed a concern with amenities being placed offsite and
not on the specific development site.
Council Member Wyatt presented a proposal for the Council's consideration, which
incorporates the current View Protection Ordinance. Council Member Wyatt commented
that within the View Protection Ordinance the heights on the north and south side of
Bay would be 27 feet however with a Conditional Use Permit heights could extend to 48
feet. Council Member Wyatt further commented the proposed amenities would not be a
factor, however the east and west wing areas could potentially have amenities
incorporated into those regulations.
Council Member Clauson concurred with the possibility of incorporating the View
Protection Ordinance, however expressed a concern with the potential of allowing 48
feet on both sides of Bay Street.
Council Member Geiger also spoke in favor of the incorporation of the View Protection
Ordinance, however would like modifications to the height restrictions on the north side
of Bay Street.
Council Member Chang expressed a concern with the incorporation of the View
Protection Ordinance into the Downtown Overlay District, since the City Attorney has
some concerns with this document.
Council Member Putaansuu agreed with Council Member Chang regarding the
incorporation of the View Protection Ordinance into the DOD. Council Member
Putaansuu also spoke in favor of having the amenities located on the site of the
development and not located off-site.
At 7:55 pm Council Member Wyatt presented another option to the maximum structure
height discussion and asked for a 5-minute break to allow the Council and audience an
opportunity to review this alternative language.
Assistant City Attorney Jacoby discussed the new proposed language which basically
indicates that developers can build up to 27 feet, after 27 feet will need a Conditional
Use Permit to build up to 39 feet.
Council Member Putaansuu spoke against the Conditional Use Permit process. Council
Member Putaansuu would like clear regulations for developers to understand. Council
Member Putaansuu would like to see the north side develop to 39 feet and with
amenities, to 55 feet.
Council Member Geiger spoke in favor of the Conditional Use Permit incorporated into
the DOD process.
May 15, 2007
Page 3 of 3
Council Member Dilenno spoke in favor of Council Member Wyatt's second proposed
document, however stressed keeping the public amenities as a requirement for
additional height.
Council Member Chang concurred with Council Member Dilenno that the amenities need
to be kept on site rather than offsite.
Council Member Geiger spoke against building heights tied to amenities. Council
Member Geiger suggested each new development be required to provide a certain
number of amenities.
At this time of the meeting Mayor Abel gave a brief summary of the consensus of the
Council.
'Y The Council liked the idea of amenities, however not sure how to tie them to the
development
'Y The Council is interested in approving heights above 39 feet, however not on the
north side.
'Y The Council likes the proposed language presented by Council Member Wyatt
with the Conditional Use Permit added.
'Y View language should be tightened up so that step backs can be negotiated as
part of a Conditional Use Permit in order to get the most views.
'Y View Corridors would be encouraged
'Y Amenities need to stay on Bay Street, with 1% on north side and 2% on south
side.
Council Members Dilenno, Putaansuu, and Wyatt agreed to work with City Attorney and
put together a draft of the consensus the Council has reached on maximum structure
heights.
Next meeting scheduled for June 12, 2007 at 7:00 pm, City Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15pm
Michelle Merlino, City Clerk Kim E. Abel, Mayor