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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2008 MINUTESMinutes for City of Bremerton Planning Commission Regular Meeting January 15, 2008 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman. Cockburn at 5:30 p.m. It. Roll Call Those present were: Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Kosusko, Commissioner Mosiman, Commissioner Streissguth, Commissioner Wheeler and Chairman Cockburn. Commissioner Hoell was excused. Quorum certified. Also present: Andrea Spencer, Nicole Ward, and Pam Ransier (DCD staff}. III. Elections Commissioner Kosusko nominated Bill Mosiman for the position of Chairman. Commissioner Kennedy seconded the nomination. The vote was unanimous in favor of Commissioner Mosiman being the Chairman of the Bremerton Planning Commission for 2008. Commissioner Streissguth nominated Greg Wheeler for the position of Vice- Chairman. Commissioner Kennedy seconded the nomination. The vote was unanimous in favor of Commissioner Wheeler being the Vice - Chairman of the Bremerton Planning Commission for 2008. IV. Approval of Agenda Chairman Mosiman introduced the agenda. It was agreed by general consensus to approve the agenda as presented. IV. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 20, 2007 were presented for approval by Chairman Mosiman. A motion was made by Commissioner Streissguth and seconded by Commissioner Wheeler to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2007 as presented. Called for a vote: Commissioner Cockburn: Yes; Commissioner Kennedy: Yes; Commissioner Kosusko: Abstain; Commissioner Streissguth: Yes; Commissioner Wheeler: Yes; Chairman Mosiman: Yes. The motion carried. VI. Public Meeting A. Call To The Public (public comments on any item not on tonight's agenda). Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2008 Page 1 of 4 Chairman Mosiman asked if there were any cornrnents from citizens. Seeing none, he closed this portion of the meeting. 13. 1. Workshop — Commercial Corridor Setbacks: Nicole Ward, City Planner, explained that the purpose of this workshop was to get input from the commissioners regarding upcoming zoning code amendments. She outlined how there are several setback requirements for commercial areas throughout the city, focusing mainly on "Commercial Corridor" zoned areas along Kitsap Way that have 60' setbacks from residential zones which render several properties undevelopablc by current zoning standards. She also discussed the need to revisit the landscaping standards to ensure consistency between them and the setback requirements. Using aerial photos of the sites most impacted by the setback requirements, Nicole demonstrated how the development standards prohibited any kind of new construction on several lots within the commercial zones. Pictures of landscape screening or buffering along with pictures of a 60' tract with no landscaping and offering no visual barrier illustrated the need to revise the landscaping; requirements when there are commercial uses adjacent to residential areas. Nicole had surveyed other jurisdictions (Everett, Poulsbo, & Olympia) to compare their landscaping requirements with Bremerton's. She suggested using landscaping instead of setbacks to buffer incompatible commercial uses that are adjacent to residential areas. She asked the commissioners how much the setback requirement should be reduced, if the current screening requirements were adequate, and if the any changes made should apply to the Wheaton Way Redevelopment Corridor as well. Chairman Mosiman asked if there were any comments from citizens on this itern. John Tayloa•, John L Scott Real Estate Agent repa•esenting the Dobson Estate [submits Exhibit #11: "1 would like to commend the Department of Community Development, specifically Nicole Ward, for recognizing and taking responsibility for resolving this setback issue that I'm going to show you. For nay client, this problem was created when the adjacent land, which was zoned Duplex, was changed in 2005 to Residential. That's when the problern was created. You may recall, you had a major zoning changes done, I believe it was in December, 2005. The Dobson property tax account number is 018; the Dobson family has been trying to get their parent's estate settled since February '04. As noted on illy plat map, the entire depth of the subject property is approximately 70 feet. If you look at the plat map and you take your eye down to the 9 "' Street red box at the bottom of the page, there's a box that says 9 "' Street, If you go right up above that box you'll see the depth of is 69.6.3 feet. We presently have a 60 foot setback which doesn't allow the property to be developed. That's the problern that we're trying to get resolved. It wasn't a problem when the adjacent property, where it has the house listed — those are duplexes, there's five units there on that property. But, the Duplex zoning went away and we would support the first option of a 10 foot setback which is on your printout. Nicole has listed four different options for you, and it's the first one. On the colored map, I drew in an arrow that shows you where the Dobson property is — it's basically on the corner of 9 "' and Adele, right across the street from the VA Doctors Clinic and adjacent to a nursery. The rest of the property on Adele is commercial. That's, basically, we've just been waiting for this to get resolved, hopefully, so they can get their estate settled. We certainly support: the 10 foot [setback with the screening. Any questions`? Thank you very much." Chairman Moshnan asked if there were any additional comments from the public. Seeing none, he closed this portion of the meeting. Planning Commission Meeting ,ian❑ary 15, 2008 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Cockburn recalled that the intent of the restrictive standards in the Commercial Corridor was to push development to the Centers and not. the [Wheaton Way and Kitsap Way] Corridors. Commissioner Kosusko agreed that having a larger setback did not always guarantee adequate buffering. lie suggested options based on lot size or depth. Commissioner Kosusko agreed that a 60 foot setback was too much and that the buffering fence requirement should be consistently six feet in height throughout the zoning code. Commissioner Streissgutli agreed with Commissioners Cockburn and Kosusko that the Commercial Corridor was created to deal with commercial uses that are not pedestrian friendly such as drive through windows, etc, and to direct: commercial growth toward the Centers. She acknowledged how restrictive the 60 foot setback was and agreed it should be corrected. Commissioner Streissgut:h liked the Type I and Type 1.1 Screening Requirements used by Everett and how Olympia's landscape requirements for buffering or screening were tied to the height and bulk of the commercial structure. She suggested looking at the Downtown Sub -Area PIan for guidance. Commissioner Cockburn noted that the large developments that are currently taking place in Bremerton are not In Centers but along the commercial corridors. He acknowledged that development along the commercial corridors is easier because of the traffic flow and the existing condition of building sites, but expressed concern about how to move new development to the Centers. Commissioner Kosusko suggested using a range of setback requirements based on the lot size so smaller lots within the commercial zone can be developed. Commissioner Kennedy agreed that there should be visual buffering between commercial and residential uses. She liked the idea of options that a developer could choose from to meet the buffering requirements and setback requirements that are determined by lot size. Chairman Mosiman stressed the importance of topography and other variables when determining setback requirements and asked if setback /[ andscaping requirements could be incorporated into a review process. Nicole suggested a variance process as a design review process could become a lengthy and cumbersome process for the applicant. Commissioner Wheeler also agreed that a 60 foot setback requirement is unreasonable and liked the suggestion of taking topography and lot side into consideration before determining setback and buffering, but would like to have a standard. Andrea summarized the deliberation: Staff will revisit. the Iandscaping requirements; explore options based on lot size and /or building size, using the Downtown Sub -Area Plan as a guide; and set standards for fencing requirements. A Public Hearing on these items will be held at the next Regular Planning Commission Meeting in February. Commissioner Kennedy asked if similar changes should occur in the Wheaton Way Redevelopment. Corridor. Commissioner Kosusko agreed, adding the Freeway Corridor and suggesting that higher standards be set for zones that have greater impact on residential areas. Other comments included increasing the percentage of evergreen trees to deciduous, what side of the fence landscaping should be on, and landscape maintenance requirements. Planninb Commission Meeting January 1.5, 2008 Page 3 of 4 d., I !777 7 PIL. 1.