May 20, 2020, Planning Commission Meeting MinutesPlanning Commission Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2020
Zoom Teleconference
Commissioners:
Present: Stephanie Bailey, David Bernstein, Phil King, Joe Morrison, Annette Stewart, Trish Tierney
Absent: Suanne Martin Smith, Mark Trenary
Staff Present:
Community Development Director Nick Bond, Code Enforcement Officer Doug Price, Long Range Planner Keri Sallee
1. Call to Order:
Chair Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. and read the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” remote meeting protocol into the record. Stewart then led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Public Comments: There were no public comments from the audience.
3. Approval of Minutes From May 20, 2020: Commissioner Tierney made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2020 special Planning Commission meeting, as presented. Commissioner
King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Business items:
2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendments – Discussion, Public Hearing and Recommendation. Community Development Director Bond gave an overview of the City’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan amendment
package:
The City initiated several text amendments, including the following:
Land Use Element: Table 1 of the Land Use Element in the Comprehensive Plan will be replaced with an expanded table that addresses the range of possible maximum densities that are likely
to develop in each zone, and the anticipated development density in each zone.
Utilities Element: The Sewer System Capital Improvement Plan list (Table 7-2 of the Utilities Element) and the Water System Capital Improvement Plan list (Table 7-2 of the Utilities
Element) have been updated.
Transportation Element: The existing Street Standard Classification Map in the Transportation Element will be replaced by an updated map, consistent with the most recent street standards
as adopted by the City’s Public Works Department.
6-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): The updated 2020 TIP will extend 6-year funded transportation projects on the TIP to 2021-2026, and adopt a long-range (2027-2040) unfunded
TIP.
Appendix B (Plans Adopted by Reference): The updates to the TIP have been updated in Appendix B.
The City also initiated a number of “housekeeping” Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map amendments after noting that the zoning classifications of some parcels were inconsistent with their
land use designations on the Land Use Map. The proposed changes will make the zoning and land use designations of these parcels consistent.
Additionally, one text amendment was proposed by a private party, Geiger Road LLC, to amend Policy 2.7.5.7 in the Centers section of the Land Use Element and its accompanying illustration,
and increase the size of the Sedgwick Bethel Countywide Center from 141 acres to 161 acres. This increase would include the addition of 20 acres to the southern boundary of the center,
south of Geiger Rd. The boundary currently bisects two 20-acre parcels owned by Geiger Road LLC so that only the north half of these properties is included in the center. The addition
of the southern half of these properties would allow the entirety of Geiger Road LLC’s future multifamily project (Glenmore Apartments, 320 units) to be included in the center.
Bond said that the 2020 Comprehensive Plan amendments were presented to the Land Use committee, and that staff and the Land Use committee concurred that the amendments are appropriate
and should be taken to the Planning Commission for discussion and a public hearing.
Chair Stewart opened the public hearing. No comments were received. Stewart closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tierney made a motion to recommend that the City Council approve the
2020 Comprehensive Plan map and text amendments, as presented. Commissioner Bailey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Design Standards Revisions Ordinance – Discussion, Public Hearing and Recommendation. Bond reviewed the final proposed revisions to the residential design standards in Chapters 20.32.020,
20.32.040 and 20.122.060 POMC, as agreed upon by the Commission in May.
Chair Stewart opened the public hearing. Barbara Yarington, representing Quadrant Homes, said that Quadrant supports the changes that have been made in the proposed ordinance, which
allow for more diverse product types and provide flexibility for sites with sloped topography. Stewart closed the public hearing.
Bond noted that two changes requested by the applicant, McCormick Communities/Quadrant Homes, had not been supported by the Planning Commission. These changed would have allowed three-car
garages on lots with a minimum 60-foot width, and allowed two-car side-by-side garages for townhome developments. The proposed design standards revisions have been reviewed by the Land
Use committee, and the City Council will likely discuss these additional items further before making a final decision.
Commissioner Tierney made a motion to recommend that the City Council approve an ordinance revising the design standards requirements in POMC 20.32.020 and 20.32.040, and 20.122.060.
Commissioner Price seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Significant Trees and Tree Canopy Ordinance – Discussion, Public Hearing and Recommendation. Bond said that the ordinance before the Planning Commission is the result of a year’s study
and work. The City’s existing significant tree protection code was written with the idea of protecting individual significant trees in older, developed parts of the city, and does not
provide protection for larger treed areas or a percentage of trees within the city, i.e. tree canopy preservation. The proposed tree canopy protection language in the revised code attempts
to protect non-significant trees within areas to be developed, as well as providing for the reestablishment of a percentage of tree canopy over a period of 20 years where clearing and
grading is necessary for residential development. Significant tree protection standards are also maintained.
Chair Stewart opened the public hearing. No comments were received. Stewart closed the public hearing. Commissioner King made a motion to recommend that the City Council approve the
significant trees and tree canopy requirements ordinance. Commissioner Bernstein seconded the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.
Draft Beekeeping Ordinance – Discussion. Bond said that this proposed ordinance was the result of a residential property owner keeping a large number of honeybees on his small lot,
which created a nuisance by swarming onto adjacent residential properties and leaving pollen droppings on vehicles at a nearby business location. Although the City now has a section
in its nuisance code to address bees which have become an active nuisance, there are no land use regulations to address beekeeping practices and prevent nuisances by ensuring that beekeeping
takes place in a manner that is appropriate to the location and surroundings of the property. Code Enforcement Officer Doug Price gave an overview of the ordinance, which would limit
the number of hives on individual properties, require setbacks and other measures to prevent bees from exiting hives directly onto other properties, and require standard management
practices to minimize aggression and swarming behavior. The Planning Commission asked to continue to discuss the ordinance at a future meeting.
Ruby Creek Subarea Plan – Introduction. Bond presented initial draft maps and other graphics that will be the basis for the Ruby Creek Countywide Center (previously known as the Sidney/Sedgwick
Countywide Center) subarea plan. MAKERS Architects, DCD staff and the City’s planning intern have been working on the project this summer, and will have the draft plan completed by
the end of June. Bond noted that the City has not received much public input so far, despite a couple of attempts at surveys with public notification using flyers and postcards, probably
because nearly all residents are renters in two large apartment complexes. The plan will focus on developing Sidney Road as a traditional “main street” with pedestrian-friendly design
and connectivity, encouragement of mixed-use residential and commercial development, protection for Ruby and Blackjack Creeks and associated wetlands, potential creation of a public
park, and a possible park-and-ride location for Kitsap Transit with direct routes to Seattle-bound ferries. The Planning Commission will be asked to review the full draft plan at the
July meeting, and to hold a public hearing in August.
Adjourn: Chair Stewart adjourned the meeting at 7:27 pm.
Annette Stewart, Chair
Nick Bond, Community Development Director