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02/18/2003 - Work Study - MinutesPort Orchard, Washington February 18, 2003 Council of the City of Port Orchard, Washington was called to order by Mayor Weatherill at 7:30 P.M., in a Joint Special Study Session with the Kitsap County Commissioners. The Joint Study Session was held in City Council Chambers, 216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, Washington. Council members present: Todd Cramer, Ron Rider, Carolyn Powers, Rick Wyatt, Robert Geiger, and Don Morrison. Councilmember Clauson excused. County Commissioners present: Jan Angel, Chris Endressen, and Patty Lent. Staff present: City Engineer Lawrence J. Curies, City Planner Rob Wenman, City Clerk Patricia Parks, County Planning Manager Laura Dittmer, and County Administrator Fleming. Mayor Weatherill welcomed those present and introduced each County Commissioner and City Council member. At the request of Mayor Weatherill, City Engineer Curies reviewed the purpose of this meeting, highlighting the primary goal, as to clarify a vision for Port Orchard and the South Kitsap area and to identify which of the three planning process options elected officials want staff to follow in working together to accommodate growth in South Kitsap. Kitsap County Planning Manager Laura Dittmer outlined the three planning process options discussing anticipated time to complete each process, along with projected costs: (1) Sub Area Plan (w/o EIS); (2) Sub Area Plan (w/EIS); and (3) A UGA Boundary Expansion. Mayor Weatherill invited input from the audience. Fred Depee spoke in favor of Option 3 (Urban Growth Boundary Expansion) emphasizing the discussion on how to plan for the area has been going on for a long time. If Port Orchard's UGA is expanded, residents desiring to be a part of the City of Port Orchard could have an opportunity for annexation. Jerry Harless stated he does not know enough about the three options to give an opinion and questioned what population projections would be used to complete the process, Mayor Weatherill gave synopsis of how validation of the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan in 1988 by the Hearings Board has affected Port Orchard and stated that today we see the need to expand our industrial area and commercial base. Our local economy needs more jobs and retail sales need to be strengthened. Today we have to plan for tomorrow and determine how South Kitsap will accommodate future population growth. Port Orchard and South Kitsap County need to work and plan together -mutually supporting one another, if we are to be ready tomorrow. On behalf of Kitsap County, Commissioner Jan Angel said they are interested in hearing what city officials would like to see as the planning method for Port Orchard and the surrounding South Kitsap area. Councilman Ron Rider said the Growth Management Committee has discussed the different options and the committee's main focus at this time is on the economic development of Port Orchard and South Kitsap. Port February 18, 2003 Page 2 of4 Orchard has had many inquiries from businesses wanting to locate or expand in Port Orchard or the South Kitsap area and have no viable commercial or industrial locations to build or expand. Councilwoman Powers questioned whether Option 3 would cover all areas around the city or be focused at a specific area? County Planning Manager Laura Dittmer clarified that city officials need to identify the area(s) they desire to be included in Option 3. Councilman Geiger commented he is tired of waiting. He described the situation as, "it is time for the train to leave the station". He understands that the process is encumbered by regulations. However it is time to proceed. The city and county must work toward fast tracking the planning process to review areas surrounding the city. Commissioner Patty Lent assured Councilman Rider that Option 3 could include a combination of the entire south end, while focusing on select site-specific priority areas. Councilman Morrison stated he is in favor of moving on the fast track, the UGA boundary expansion is the most logical -least expensive way of getting the city into the position of having areas that can be developed -----commercially:---lt-is-time-to-quit-studying-lhe-planning-and-move-foiWardl~. --------------- Councilwoman Powers stated she can't emphasis enough that Port Orchard is part of South Kitsap and as elected officials for the county and city they need to work together to consider all of South Kitsap as a whole. Councilman Geiger stated that the city is interested in expansion/development of industrial areas. He referenced the success of a company that is known internationally for manufacturing park benches and other metal products, which is located in Port Orchard. Commissioner Angel emphasized that the Port Orchard and Kitsap County must work together to create our own economy-that is the job of local elected officials. She is very much in favor of looking at expansion of the urban growth area boundaries. Commissioner Endressen addressed the need to provide leadership in economic development and voiced support for Option 3 -expansion of urban growth boundaries. She cautioned that the planning process should not be just drawing boundaries; the city and county must work together to thoughtfully identify growth areas that will be justified. Mayor Weatherill stated it sounds like city and county elected officials have a consensus on the direction for Port Orchard and South Kitsap, which is to bolster economic development as much possible without hurting the environment or the quaint city life enjoyed by residents, describing Port Orchard and South Kitsap as the pearl of Puget Sound and the State of Washington. If planning is done right the quality of life can be preserved for everyone. Councilman Geiger asked if the county has enough staff to proceed with the planning process or will they need to hire outside staff. County Planning Manager Laura Dittmer assured city officials that the county has sufficient staff. They have budgeted % of a full time planning employee to this planning process. She stated during the area wide February 18, 2003 Page 3 of4 planning process they would be looking at 2022 population numbers to justify an expansion of the UGA. Commissioner Angel questioned whether the city currently has sufficient staff for the planning process? It was noted that the city has one planner who will work with county staff on joint planning. Commissioner Endressen reiterated that the planning process for the South Kitsap area is a joint planning process. Commissioner Angel complimented the city and county planning staff on their cooperation, stating she is proud of the way they are working together. She commended Ms. Dittmer for always being available, at any time the elected officials need information. Councilwoman Powers posed the question of what needs to be done to move forward on the joint planning process? Planning Manager Dittmer stated county staff and City Planner Rob Wenman would work together to set up the public input process, set schedules, look at maps, look at existing conditions, review environmental concerns, and current infrastructure in identified areas. Councilwoman Powers questioned what area expansion can be justified; where are we on population allocations; and what happens if the expanded boundaries and population allocations don't coincide? City Planner Wenman clarified that population criteria are not finalized, analysis needs to take place and population allocations assigned, prior to growth designations being allocated. Councilwoman Powers questioned, how does anticipated population numbers fit in to establishing projected residential from commercial areas? City planner Wenman stated that planning for residential population must also identify land for employment, industrial, and retail needs to support the anticipated population. County Planning Manager Laura Dittmer stated during the planning process a mathematical formula is used to identify how much commercial area is need to justify/support anticipated population growth. Councilman Geiger questioned what is the dividing line, how do you separate the scientific process from the political process? Is the law written to make the process scientific or does it allow for local direction of the growth process? County Planning Manager Dittmer stated it is up to the city to determine how big do you want to be, what vision does the city have and urged city officials to think about the process in large context. Where do you envision residential, commercial/retail/industrial, and mixed development? After the vision is identified then the formula process comes in. She urged city officials to look at the large picture -where does the city want to be or look like in 20 years. City and county officials and staff discussed how population allocations are set at the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC). It was clarified that current population allocations must be revised from the 2017 allocations to the 2022 allocations before the County Wide Planning Policies can be finalized. February 18, 2003 Page 4 of 4 On behalf of all the county comm1ss1oners, Commissioner Angel assured the city that the county is committed to work together to successfully complete the planning process. Jerry Harless questioned, now that the public has heard commitments voiced by city and county officials, will they listen to the people in the Anderson Hill/Berry Lake Road area's vision for their neighborhood, he would like to hear commitments to honor the wishes of the residents. He stated that the residents this area do not want growth in their neighborhood. They like the rural nature and do not want urban development. Richard Brown stated he appreciates the "can do" attitude demonstrated tonight. He voiced his opinion that Kitsap County has plenty of population, but it has already been allocated. He suggested that current population allocations assigned to undeveloped areas be removed and placed in a pool for people who want to develop land, not let some owners/developers sit on their allocation for the next 10-15 years. He also urged elected officials to remove industrial/commercial designations for undeveloped areas and place them into a "pool" so that when population allocations are made, commercial/industrial allocations would be available to support the anticipated residential allocations. At the suggestion of Commissioner Patty Lent, city and county officials by consensus, agreed to move forward on a fast track with Option 3 planning process (expansion of the Urban Growth Area boundaries). Mayor Weatherill summarized the unanimous consensus of the elected officials to endeavor to get on the fast track, with a "can do" attitude; to work together to get Port Orchard and South Kitsap back on track with good growth that doesn't ruin the environment and makes us all a little happier. He also voiced appreciation for everyone coming and telling the elected officials what they would like for the area and their neighborhoods. He assured everyone that their input would be taken under advisement as the city and county proceed. Meeting adjourned at 9:30P.M. /) CliiLc& Patricia Parks, City Clerk Leslie J. Weatherill, Mayor