Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/18/2013 PACKET(DRAFT) AGENDA Regular Meeting –Bremerton Planning Commission (Subject to PC approval) June 18, 2013 5:30 P.M. th 345–6Street Meeting Chamber –First Floor I.CALL TO ORDER II.ROLL CALL (quorum present) III.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA IVAPPROVAL OF MINUTES: May, 2013Regular meeting. o V.PUBLIC MEETING A. Call to the Public: Public comments on any item not on tonight’s agenda B.Workshop:Introduction of the Gorst Watershed Draft Plans and Draft Environmental Impact Statement VI.BUSINESS MEETING A. Chair Report: B. Director Report: Andrea Spencer. C.Old Business: D.New Business VII.ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is July16, 2013 Planning Commission meeting packets are available on-line at www.ci.bremerton.wa.us DRAFT Subject to June 18, 2013Approval CITY OF BREMERTON PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULARMEETING May 21, 2013 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Josecalled theregularmeeting of the Bremerton Planning Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners PresentStaff Present Chair JoseAndrea Spencer,Director,Department of Community Development Vice Chair TiftAllison Daniels, Current Planner, Department of Community Development Commissioner Albright Commissioner Dinkuhn Commissioner Lambert Commissioner Simpson Commissioner Strube Quorum Certified APPROVAL OF AGENDA VICE CHAIR TIFTMOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER DINKUHN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Spencer advised that Mr. Scott Daniels, Kitsap Public Health District requested that a correction be made onPage 2, Paragraph 3. COMMISSIONER STRUBEMOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 2013AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER ALBRIGHTSECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC MEETING Call to the Public (public comments on any item not on the agenda) Chair Jose asked if there were any comments from citizens. Seeing none, he closed the publicportion of the meeting. Workshop: 2013 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket Ms. Daniels introduced Elizabeth Wilson and Jon Rose, who were present to speak regarding the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment. Ms. Daniels provided a brief overview of the Comprehensive Plan amendment process. She reminded them that the Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities in the State to adopt a comprehensive plan, which is a 20-year plan that guides the City’s overall strategy for growth and development. The City’s Comprehensive Plan was originally adopted in 2004. She advised that the GMA also allows cities to amend their comprehensive plans on an annual basis to reflect current conditions that may not have been addressed prior to the plan’s adoption. The City’s deadline for Comprehensive Amendment st applications is April 1of each year, and this year the City only received one application. She reviewed the process for reviewing Comprehensive Plan amendments, which includes a workshop and public hearing before the Planning Commission, a Planning Commission recommendation to the City Council, a workshop and public hearing before the City Council, and a final decision by the City Council. She noted that the proposed amendment would change the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map. If approved, the applicant would also be required to submit a rezone application. th . Ms. Daniels advised that a public hearing before the Planning Commission has been tentatively scheduled for September 17 This will provide time for staff to analyze the proposed amendment and provide feedback to the Commission. The proposed rd and a public hearing and final amendment will be presented to the City Council for a workshop discussion on October 23 th decision on November 6. Ms. Daniels displayed a section of the City’s zoning map, which shows the subject property in red. The applicant, Olympic Property Group(OPG), West Hills LLC, is proposing to change the land-use designation in the Comprehensive Plan Map for the 36-acre parcel from Industrial Park (IP) to Low-Density Residential(R-10). She noted that the current IP designation limits uses to industrial,and the proposed designation would allow uses such as single-family homes and parks. She advised that the subject property is currently undeveloped, with an unpaved access road that is only accessible by bicycles and pedestrians. The property was previously considered as Phase II of the Wright Creek BusinessPark, with Phase I being located to the northwest of the site. No permits have beensubmitted for Phase II of the project, and the property was never platted to accommodate the development. The property is currently zoned as Industrial Park (IP), aswell. Ms. Daniels reviewed the uses and zoning that surrounds the subject property. She noted that the majority of properties to the northeastarezoned and developed as residential.The property to the southwestof the subject property is also zoned residential but is currently undeveloped. There is a small IP zone directly to the east, which is currently developed as warehouses, and further to the east is the Sunn Fjord apartment complex. There is also undeveloped, low-density residential zoning to the east. The property directly northeast of the subject propertyhas a city water reservoir on it. It will continue to be an industrial park, and is not included in the proposed change. She pointed out that only one lot in the Wright Creek BusinessPark (located to the northwest of the subject property) has been developed to date. Ms. Daniels reminded the Commission that when reviewing aComprehensive Plan Amendment, they must find that it complies with all five decision criteria found in Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) 20.10.080. She reviewed each of the criteria as follows: 1.The amendment is consistent with the Growth Management Act. 2.The amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and other goals and policies of the City. 3.If the amendment was reviewed but not adopted as a part of a previous proposal, circumstances related to the proposed amendment have significantly changed, or the needs of the City have changed, which support an amendment. 4.The amendment is compatible with existing or planned land uses and the surrounding development pattern. 5.The amendment will not adversely affect the City’s ability to provide urban services at the planned level of service and bears a reasonable relationship to benefiting the public health, safety and welfare. Jon Rose, President, Olympic Property Group (OPG), said OPG is the real estate development subsidiary of Pope Resources, whose headquarters is located in Poulsbo, Washington. Hesaid OPG has been actively working on the subject property since approximately 1992, when it was acquired via a trade with the City. In 1997, OPG owned a total of 270 acres of property, which included 210 acres of residential landthat was divided intoapproximately600 single-family residential lotsand 38 acres of industrial land that was to have been developed in two phases. Phase 1 created nine industrial lots, and Phase 2 was to have created approximately 18 additional industrial lots. The site also identified about 22 acres of open space. He advised that a master plan for the site was approved in 1997andincluded a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Draft Bremerton Planning Commission Minutes 25 May 21, 2013 ~ Page of review. Also in 1997, the sewer line was extended about ½ mile from the subject property to the wastewater treatment plant. In 2000, a development agreement was approved, which provided OPG longer-term vesting, and the residential property was sold to a developer in 2006. In 2007,Phase I of the WrightCreek Business Park was developed with an average lot size between .75 and 1 acre. Lot 4 in the business park was sold in 2007. An additional lot was sold, but the deal fell through due to the recession. Mr. Rose advised that when the original master plan for the subject property was approvedin 1997, the world was very different than it is today. Following the recession, there are an incredibly large number of vacant buildings in the City, and building new buildings cannot compete with rehabilitating older buildings. There is an enormous amount of built-out inventory. In addition, the South Kitsap Industrial Area (SKIA) has created a huge industrial base that the City did not have in 1997. He noted there have been no offersor salesof property since 2007, which is a strong indication thatthings did not turn out quite as OPG had planned. He explained that in 1997, OPG had anticipated more build up of navel facilities and activities, which did not occur. Mr. Rose said OPG is concerned that their enormous investment in infrastructure is not providing a return. He particularly noted the nearly ½ mile of sewer pipe, as well as the roadway and detention pond required for Phase I of the Wright Creek Business Park. There is also a partially-developed roadway and detention pond that would have accommodated Phase II of the Wright Creek Business Park. All other infrastructure necessary for development has been provided on the site, as well. Mr. Rose pointed out that residential development is making a recovery, and this recovery is predictedto continue for the next five years. On the other hand, they have seen no movement in the demand for industrial land. If the demand surfaces, the SKIA subarea will provide more than enough land to satisfy a generation’s worth of industrial demand. Vice Chair TiftMr. Rose noted that some industrial capacity would remain on the site. said there are currently eight, unsold lots available in Phase I of the Wright Creek Business Park, and these lots would not be converted to residential as part of the current proposal. The current owner of Lot 4 purchased the property with the assumption that the surrounding properties would be developed as industrial, as well. The east boundary of Lot 4 abuts industrial zoning that is owned by the military department. He summarized that a core of industrial propertywould remain, but they believeit is time to make a change on the rest of the properties. Vice Chair Tift said he has heard that the Gorst backup creates a problem for the SKIASubarea, making it difficultto get trucks back at night and into the City in the morning. He noted that the Marine View Beverage Company moved out of Bremerton to Poulsbo instead of SKIA because of this situation. He commented that where the subject property is situated Mr. Rose still presents good industrial capabilities. agreed that there are still some good opportunities to expand the industrial base. He noted that the pressure release valve for the Gorst backup is Third Avenue and Union, which is located right in front of thesubject property. Commissioner Dinkuhn Mr. Rose asked if OPG has plans to develop the subject property if it is rezoned to residential. said their part is to complete the master plan and site layout and then sell the property to different builders. Chair Jose said he lives near the subject property. He noted that the roadway near Pendergast Parkpresents a main thoroughfare for accessing the industrial properties. He asked if OPG envisions that the residential properties would be Mr. Rose accessed by a future road to the south. commented that it is very hard to control vehicular movement, and access will depend on where people are coming from. He noted a large area of residentially-zoned property is located to the west of the subject property. Regardless of whether the proposed amendment is approved, residential traffic willcome through the Chair Jose property. said his question was related to the separation of residential and industrial access. The way the graphic Mr. is currently laid out, this does not appear to be an issue. He commented that the roads are well done and large enough. Rose added that the roadway in the Wright Creek Business Park was built to an industrial standard. Commissioner Dinkuhn asked where the subject property fallsin proximity to the Gorst Subarea, and in particular, the Ms. Daniels Gorst Watershed.pointed out the location of the Gorst Watershed,whose northern most boundary is still some distance from the subject parcels, which are not in the watershed boundary. Draft Bremerton Planning Commission Minutes 35 May 21, 2013 ~ Page of Chair Jose invited the Commissioners to share their thoughts on how the proposed amendment is or is not consistent with Ms. Spencer the five decision criteria found in BMC 20.10.080. explained that staff has not yet reviewed the application based on the decision criteria. She invited the Commissioners to share their thoughts and ideas as staff moves forward with their review in preparation for the public hearing. Commissioner Simpson Ms. Spencer asked if staff sees a problem with the application meeting the five criteria. said she does not foresee a problem, but she emphasized that the detailed analysis has not yet been completed. Chair Jose encouraged the Commissioners to identify any additional information they would like staff to provide that goes Ms. Daniels beyond their normal due diligence in reviewing the proposed amendment. suggested the Commissioners consider what the public concerns might be. She reminded them that they could also submit written requests and comments to staff. Commissioner Strube expressed his belief that there may be some concern about increased traffic. He said he lived on Poindexter for about five years. He noted that traffic on the street is heavy already, especially when Gorstis backed up, and Vice Chair Tift he cannot see that the proposed change would dramatically impact the situation. suggested that residential development could actually improve the situation. However, he acknowledged that there are certainly problems when Gorst Mr. Rose gets backed up. said the ITETraffic Manual indicates that residential uses result in less traffic than industrial uses. Theoretically, there will be less traffic after the change then there would have been with an industrial park. Commissioner Simpson Ms. Daniels asked how many houses are anticipated for the subject property. said the applicant is requesting R-10 zoning, which means the site could potentially accommodate about 210 homes, though detailed analysis would be necessary to determine the actual number. Chair Jose reminded the Commission that there are other mechanisms for addressing impacts related to development size. He noted that there are residential uses located across the street from the subject property, so he does not anticipate concerns about the proposed amendment being consistent with the character of the neighborhood. In addition, the one developed industrial lot is located at the far north end of the Wright Creek Business Park, the furthest away from the proposed residential properties. Chair Jose invited members of the public to comment on the proposed amendment. No one in the audience indicated a desire to participate. BUSINESS MEETING Chair Report Chair Jose referred to an article that Commissioner Dinkuhn shared with him about how the City of Bothell has undergone a Comprehensive Plan update over the last decade that uses the “centers” concept, which is a similar approach as that used by the City of Bremerton. He suggested the Commissioners should read the article to help inform their discussions as they move forward with Comprehensive Plan updates this year. Director Report Ms. Spencer announced that the City received a National Planning Award for the work that was done for the SKIA Subarea Plan. She commented that it is significant for a jurisdiction the size of Bremerton to be acknowledged in this way. She provided a copy of the award to each of the Commissioners, who were part of the overall effort. The Commissioners congratulated staff. Ms. Spencer recalled that, at their last meeting, Mr. Daniels from the Kitsap Public Health District encouraged the City to include provisions in the Comprehensive Plan related to healthy eating. She advised thatthe Health Department conducted an analysis of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to see how well it addresses the issue. The analysis also identifiedpotential amendments that would allow the Comprehensive Plan to better address the concept. She provided a copy of the analysis to each of the Commissioners. Draft Bremerton Planning Commission Minutes 45 May 21, 2013 ~ Page of Ms. Spencer reviewed that the Gorst Subarea Plan is in progress, and a specific website is now available (gorstwatershed.com). As documents become available, they will be uploaded to the website. She encouraged the Planning Commissioners to visit the site and review the documents. She advised that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a preliminary draft of the goals and policies of the Gorst Subarea Plan will be released the first part of June. Staff will provide th an overview of the documents at the Commission’s June 18meeting. They will come back to the Commission in July with a summary of all the public comments received related to the EIS. At that time, they will invite the Commission to help them Chair Jose craft the preferred alternative. reminded the Commission that he is serving as the Commission’s representative in the Gorst Subarea Planprocess. Ms. Spencer announced that a public hearing on the 2013 zoning code amendments (SEPA, drive-thru, and setback th .The Commission does not typically meet during the month of August. requirements) is scheduled for July 16 Ms. Spencer advised that she completed the recruitment process for a recently-opened staff position, which resulted in two excellent candidates from her own department. While the choice was difficult, she offered the senior planner position to Nicole Floyd. She will start the recruitment process to fill Ms. Floyd’s vacated position. Mr. McIntire’s position is still vacant, as well. She reported that staff is very busy, and they are tremendously short staffed. Commissioner Tift Ms. Spencer asked if staff is able to use contracted support. answered that the City has utilized the services a private contractor who also does contract work for the City of Poulsbo. OldBusiness There was no old business to come before the Commission. New Business There was no new business scheduled on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at6:08p.m. Respectively Submitted by: ____________________________________________________________ Andrea L.Spencer, AICPGreg Jose, Chair Executive SecretaryPlanning Commission Draft Bremerton Planning Commission Minutes 55 May 21, 2013 ~ Page of Commission Meeting Date:June 18, 2013Agenda Item:V.B.1 CITY OF BREMERTON, WASHINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM AGENDA TITLE: Introduction of the Gorst Watershed Draft Plans and Draft Environmental Impact Statement DEPARTMENT: Community Development PRESENTED BY: Allison Daniels, Planner; 360.473.5845 MEETING PURPOSE The purpose of this workshopis to: Introduce three documents: draft Gorst Subarea Plan, Watershed Characterization and Framework Plan, and associated Environmental Impact Statement Highlight major points of above documents. Overview of schedule and next steps including public comment period. Discuss with the Planning Commissionto review andconsider documentsprior to July’s Planning Commission Workshop to help identify which land use alternative to proceed in the planning effort for the Gorst UGA Subarea Plan. PROJECT OVERVIEW The City of Bremerton and Kitsap County announced on Monday, June 10, 2013the release of the draft Gorst Subarea Plan, Watershed Characterization and Framework Plan, and associated Environmental Impact Statement were available for public review and comment. All these documents are available electronically at the project website, www.gorstwatershed.com(PlanningCommissioners have been provided printed materials). These documents are part of a multi-year effort with the Gorst community, federal, state and local agencies and local Tribes outlining three potential futures for the Gorst watershed and urban growth area for the 2015-2035 planning period. They detail associated environmental impacts of each alternative and the required capital facilities needed to serve them. These documents are drafts and public comment is crucial to their refinement progressing to adoption by the end of the year. The draftWatershed Characterization and Framework Plan, Environmental Impact Statement, and Gorst Subarea Plan can be summarized as such: Volume 1.Draft Gorst Creek Watershed Characterization & Framework Plan : This plan provides a common set of goals, policies, and best management practices guiding water quality, habitat, and land use plans and activities across theentire6,000-acre watershed (which includes the 335-acre Gorst Urban Growth Area(UGA)). Volume 2.Draft Gorst Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) : The EIS is an informational document that evaluates land use alternatives and potential mitigation measures to minimize environmental impacts. It addresses both the watershed and Gorst UGA. The EIS allows the City and County to consider designating a planned action for some or all of the Gorst UGA, which would streamline environmental review for development proposals consistent with mitigation measures. Volume 3.Draft Gorst Subarea Plan: The purpose of this plan is to provide greater detail, guidance and predictability to future development within the 335-acre Gorst UGA, while also protecting the environment. Kitsap County currently governs the unincorporated Gorst UGA but has assigned it as a future annexation area to the City of Bremerton. The public comment period on these draft documents runs from June 10, 2013 to July 24, 2013 at 5:00PM. These comments will be forwarded to City of Bremertonand Kitsap County Planning Commissions for their consideration as we preparealand use alternative for further review and additional public comment later this year. SCHEDULE Planning Commission has an integral part in this process and has multiple upcoming meetings Attachment I scheduled. As the project schedule,,indicates Planning Commission has already met (February Workshop) and provided Staff guidance on the scope of the land use alternatives. With the land use alternatives developed, Staff and their consultants have developed three draft documents: Gorst Watershed Plan, the EIS and Subarea Plan. This workshop is to discuss and introduce the draft documents as our schedule indicates. The subsequentsteps include selection of a Preferred Alternative in the third quarter(tentatively scheduled for July’s Planning Commission Workshop), and legislative review in the fourth quarter (tentativelyscheduled forOctober’s Planning Commission Hearing).The Planning Commission is an integral part to this process withperiodic briefings and meetings at key milestones. ATTACHMENTS Attachment I –Project Schedule or http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/gorstwatershed/doc/ProjectSchedule.pdf Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the draft documents can be located at the project website at www.gorstwatershed.com. STAFF RECOMMENDATION This information is presented for Planning Commission consideration and discussion. No further action is required at this time.