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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/2003 MINUTESMinutes of Planning Commission Meeting February 18, 2003 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kennedy at 5:35 p.m. II. Roll Call Those present were: Commissioner Buckingham, Commissioner Dingfield, Commissioner Kosusko, Commissioner Nelson, Commissioner Wood, Commissioner Kennedy. Quorum certified. III. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Kennedy introduced the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Buckingham to approve the agenda as written. Called for a vote: Buckingham: yes; Dingfield: yes; Kosusko: yes; Nelson: yes; Wood: yes, and Kennedy: yes. Agenda approved as written. IV. Approval of Minutes The Regular Meeting of January 21, 2003, minutes were presented for approval by Commissioner Kennedy. A motion was made by Commissioner Kosusko and seconded by Commissioner Wood to approve the minutes as written. Called for a vote: Buckingham: abstained; Dingfield: yes; Kosusko: yes; Nelson: yes; Wood: yes; and Kennedy: yes. Minutes approved as written. V. Public Meeting Chairman Kennedy moved directly to the call to the public portion. A. Call to the Public (public comments on any item not on tonight's agenda). Seeing no comments from the public, Commissioner Kennedy closed this portion of the meeting and moved onto the public meeting portion. B. Public Meeting Public Hearing: Commissioner Kennedy then opened the meeting up for public hearing. a. None 2. Workshops: a. Request to remove a five -story height limit above Washington Avenue while retaining a 70 foot height limit. Planning Commission Meeting February 18, 2003 Page 1 of 3 Chris Hugo introduced the workshop item and summarized the regulatory provisions that controlled height in the new DW Downtown Waterfront zone. Chris introduced Gary Tusberg of the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority ( KCCHA) who presented a conceptual proposal for condominiums on KCCHA's waterfront property on Washington Avenue between 2nd and 4 th Streets. Mr. Tusberg discussed recent issues with condominium projects in Washington State and the KCCHA's interest in building condos for a higher -end market. The KCCHA staff had visited new Portland downtown condo projects and discovered an attractive, cost - effective construction type that would work on the waterfront site. However, to make the project work, they would need the ability to construct 6 stories above the Washington frontage elevation. During the subsequent workshop discussion, Commission members inquired about view corridors and compliance with the new Downtown Development goals and policies. In particular, the Commission asked if there were other development standards such as the F.A.R. provision that would also have to be amended. Mr. Tusberg said that he had quickly looked at F.A.R. earlier in the day, and it didn't appear to be an issue for the project. He said that he would do a more thorough analysis prior to any formal application for a code amendment. Chris Hugo noted that a change to the number of building stories allowed while maintaining the same overall height cap might not require State review, but that any additional changes to the codes such as modifying the F.A.R. provisions would definitely entail State review. Mr. Tusberg responded that KCCHA would not propose changes of that magnitude. Mr. Tusberg also contrasted the form of development that was possible with greater allowed number of stories. He asserted that with a limitation to 4 -5 stories, any project would of necessity have to cover the entire lot width, leaving no views through the project. With another floor, the building type and design could provide space between buildings to create views to the shoreline. Some Commissioners questioned the overall scale of the proposal with the higher structures. The Commission indicated that the next step for the KCCHA was to make formal application to amend the code through the standard public hearing process. Mr. Tusberg responded that KCCHA intended to make application soon to retain the opportunity to start the project during this construction year. VL Business Meeting A. Chair Report — Commissioner Kennedy. None. B. Director's Report — Mr. Hugo. 1. Chris Hugo distributed information about the Washington State Multi- family Housing Tax Incentive, noting that it was a development incentive that could be applied within Bremerton if added to the BMC. Chris remarked that this technique was conceived by Tacoma and they have used it exclusively where they are attempting to focus new growth in 14 designated centers. Chris explained the benefits of the incentive: property assessed Planning Commission Meeting February 18, 2003 Page 2 of 3 value is frozen at current levels and taxes on the appreciated valuation of new housing after development are waived for 10 years. Projects of four or more units, rented or owner - occupied, are eligible for the waiver. There is an annual certification to insure that the property retains its eligibility. The Bremerton City Council would have to take specific action to implement the incentive program, and there would be a separate process to designate the qualifying "urban centers" where the technique could be applied. The Commission directed staff to come back with a specific ordinance proposal for its consideration. C. Old Business: None. D. New Business: None. VII. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2003. Respectfully submitted by: Executive Secretary Approved by: Jessica Kennedy, Chairman Planning Commission Meeting February 18, 2003 Page 3 of 3