The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05/18/2010 MINUTESMinutes for City of Bremerton Planning Commission Regular Meeting May 18, 2010 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hoell at 5:30 p.m. II. Roll Call Those present were: Commissioner Jose, Commissioner Mosiman, Commissioner Streissguth, Commissioner Tiff, and Chairman Hoell. Commissioners Cockburn and Kosusko were excused. Quorum certified. Also present: Andrea Spencer, Nicole Ward, and Pain Bykonen (DCD staff). III. Approval of Agenda Chairman Hoell introduced the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Streissguth and seconded by Commissioner Mosiman to approve the agenda as presented. It was agreed by general consensus to approve the agenda as presented. IV. Election of Vice - Chairman Commissioner Streissguth nominated Commissioner Kosusko for the position of Vice - Chairman. Called for a vote: Commissioner Jose: Yes; Commissioner Mosiman: Yes; Commissioner Streissguth: Yes; Commissioner Tift: Yes; Chairman Hoell: Yes. The vote was unanimous in favor of Commissioner Kosusko as Vice - Chairman of the Bremerton Planning Commission for 2010. IV. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 20, 2010 were presented for approval by Chairman Hoell. A motion was made by Commissioner Jose and seconded by Commissioner Tift to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2010 as presented. Called for a vote: Commissioner .lose: Yes; Commissioner Mosiman: ,Abstain; Commissioner Streissguth: Yes; Commissioner 'rift: Yes; Chairman Hoell: Yes. The motion carried. V. Public Meeting A. Call To The Public (public comments on any item not on tonight's agenda). Planning CoEninission Meeting May 18, 2010 Pagel of 4 Chairman Hoell asked if there were any comments from citizens. Seeing none, she closed this portion of the meeting. B. 1. Public Hearing — Zoning Code Amendments: Nicole Ward, City Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed zoning code amendments regarding residential parking development standards. Nicole is involved in the permit application process and the residential parking requirement is an issue that is often addressed. As part of this presentation, Nicole gave examples of what a typically sized vehicle is and compared it to the space requirement for off-street parking. She found that most vehicles, including vans and trucks, could fit in a space that is 8'xl8', the minimum size of a parking space required by the Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC). Currently, driveways are allowed a maximum width of 20' but staff was asked to research examples of codes limiting driveways to a maximum width based on the lot width. Nicole illustrated the possible effect of a 50% driveway width requirement with photos of new construction on narrow lots (30 to 35 -feet wide). Each of the homes had a 20 -foot wide driveway, as allowed by the current code. if the code changed to a maximum driveway width of 50% of the lot width, the homes would not have been able to be developed as they were because the allowed maximum width would not meet the requirement of two parking spaces, each with a width of eight feet. [Examples: 50% x 30'- 15',2x8' -16] Nicole had surveyed several jurisdictions in and around Kitsap County for their residential parking requirements and compared her findings to Bremerton's current code. She found that Bremerton's parking and setback requirements were as strict or stricter than most of the neighboring jurisdictions. Commissioner Jose asked Nicole what kind of impact on customer service and understanding would a 50% lot width calculation to determine driveway width have. Nicole felt that the number of lots this requirement would work for is small and more permit applications will be denied because the maximum allowed driveway width could be smaller than the required parking space. Chairman Hoell asked if there were any comments from the public. A letter had been received from a local businessman, Victor Targett, supporting the proposed changes to Bremerton's residential parking code; no other speakers carne forward. Chairman Hoell closed the public portion of the Public Hearing and moved on to deliberations. Chairman Hoell stressed that the goal of these amendments was to make the code more amenable to staff and the public alike. Commissioner Mosiman asked about proof of ADA needs and how that would affect the property for future owners as the appurtenances are usually permanent. Nicole explained that ADA language has always been a part of the code but it appeared as a change in the amended text because it was relocated for better readability. ADA ramps rarely affect parking requirements but can encroach on the front yard setback. Any structure created for ADA access becomes a permanent part of the property. Planning Commission Meeting May 18, 2010 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Streissguth noted that the number of required parking spaces had not changed and thought there had been some discussion of reducing the number to one required parking space to encourage the use of public transit. She asked staff if other jurisdictions used a reduced parking requirement in a residential zone as an incentive, perhaps with multi - family developments. Andrea Spencer, Director of Community Development, explained that a change in parking requirements is undertaken in concert with sub -area plans and Centers on major bus routes can be targeted for a parking reduction incentive program. This item will be added to the "bullpen" for future research and deliberation. Commissioner Tift asked for clarification on current parking requirements if the house has a one -car garage. Nicole explained that, under the current code, a homeowner would have to have an additional 18' outside of any setback to count as the second required parking space. Commissioner Streissguth noted that Mr. Targett's comment letter had not been included in the Findings and Conclusions. Staff will amend the Findings and Conclusions to include the comment letter. A motion was made by Commissioner Streissguth and seconded by Commissioner Jose to recommend that City Council adopt the amendments to BMC 20.48 "Residential Parking" as detailed in Attachment 1, based on the amended Findings and Conclusions presented in Attachment 11. Called for a vote: Commissioner Jose: Yes; Commissioner Mosiman: Yes; Commissioner Streissguth: Yes; Commissioner Tift: Yes; Chairman Hoell: Yes. The motion carried. Chairman Hoell closed the Public Hearing. VI. Business Meeting A. Chairman's Report: Chairman Hoell asked about having the Department of Ecology give a presentation to the Planning Commission on shorelines. Nicole said that, although Department of Ecology staff cannot attend the meeting, Community Development will give a presentation in July on the Shoreline Master Program Update. The consultant on this project will also be in attendance. B. Director's Report: In preparation for the Shoreline Master Program Update at the July meeting, Andrea asked the Commission for permission to cancel the June Planning Commission meeting, which they gave. The Request for Proposals {RFP) for SK1A has been advertised and will close June 7, 2010. A Planning Commission member is needed to review and grade the proposals. Commissioner Jose offered his services. Andrea reported that the City is still working with the budget to determine areas where cost- saving measures can be implemented as revenues are down for a second year with a similar outlook for 2011 and possibly 2012. Planning Commission Meetiiig May 18, 2010 Page 3 of 4 C. Old Business: A Planning Commission member is needed to participate on the Community Block Grant (CDBG) Citizen's Advisory Committee to select recipients of Block Grant monies. Commissioner Jose volunteered for this position. D. New Business: Commissioner Streissguth suggested including rising sea levels as a component of the Shoreline Master Plan update. VII. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for July 20, 2010. Lois Hoell, Chairman Planning Commission Meeting May 18, 2010 Page 4 of 4 Approved by: