Draft Minutes

Friday Harbor Planning Commission

February 14, 2008 – 5:30PM – Town Council Chambers

The regular meeting of the Friday Harbor Planning Commission was called to order at 5:30 PM in the Town Council Chambers with Chair Jeff Iverson presiding.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Laura Arnold, Gina Creone, Jeff Iverson, Sally Thomsen, Kay Kohler and new member Steve Hushebeck. A full quorum was present. Claudia Cross reported her absence as well as her unofficial resignation.

The Planning Commission minutes of January 10, 2008 were approved with corrections.

OTHERS PRESENT: Land Use Administrator Michael Bertrand and Recording Secretary Roxanna Zalmanek.

Michael Bertrand, Land Use Administrator, began discussions with bringing attention to several documents that were provided to each Planning Commissioner. The first document presented was the letter from San Juan County’s Attorney Randy Gaylord pertaining to the Management Agreement for Friday Harbor’s unincorporated urban growth area (UGA). The next document presented was a Petition of Appeal to San Juan County Growth Hearings Board from John Campbell regarding the County’s action to change the UGA Map; and finally a letter from Friday Harbor citizen Judy Moody that was read to the Council approximately a month ago in regards to her concerns regarding the expansion of the UGA.

The Land Use Administrator (LUA) reported that Town Staff has met in regards to the Management Agreement received from the County; and it was explained that the County did not feel the need to change the content of the current Management Agreement (Agreement). Mr. Bertrand said that in order to proceed with the annexation of Phase I the Agreement needed to reflect more efforts from the County; and that Town Staff and the Town Attorney would meet again to decide what language would need to be incorporated into the Agreement to proceed. To answer questions, Mr. Bertrand indicated that the Planning Commissioners would get another chance to review the Agreement. Commissioner Arnold commented that the Agreement should include that land in the incorporated UGA (before annexation) would be developed per the Town’s development regulations; the LUA agreed and discussion continued regarding the County’s first proposal of the Management Agreement.

John Campbell’s petition against San Juan County was discussed and Mr. Bertrand informed those present that a teleconference had been conducted between the Growth Hearings Board, San Juan County officials and Mr. Campbell; and that Mr. Campbell would make a final decision on whether to proceed or not within approximately two weeks. Discussion continued and attention was drawn to page 5 of the Petition in regards to the explanation of his complaint and possible technicality of the said language of the Petition. Commissioner Arnold further explained that Mr. Campbell’s complaint is also in regards to the County’s population projections and that the projections were supposed to be used in order to figure the land area needed for urban growth. Arnold continued by adding that the projections had changed and were never reallocated by the County the way Mr. Campbell thought it should have been done. Discussion continued and it was heard that until the Petition was resolved and the Management Agreement was agreed on that the annexation process of Phase I was on hold.

Commissioner Hushebeck inquired in regards to the County’s infrastructure study for Phase I and Phase II, and if the infrastructure report would require a traffic study as well. Michael Bertrand explained what the infrastructure study would include and commented if the traffic study was not detailed enough that the Town could require a more in-depth traffic analysis. Commissioner Kay Kohler spoke her concerns about the amount of land proposed to be annexed in Phase I and questioned the real need for the annexation considering the current economic climate. Commissioner Kohler also voiced her frustration with the high prices of Town water and sewer and as a rate payer perhaps the additional housing would help reduce the current fees. Discussion was heard regarding the Town’s responsibility to provide utilities. Commissioner Hushebeck voiced his interest in the infrastructure study for Phase I and II of the UGA expansion and is concerned for the current residents and possible rate increases. Town infrastructure improvements costs as well as Town maintenance costs were discussed and of concern, especially if the current residents would endure higher utility costs to support the said expansion. Mr. Bertrand stated that the Town has to be careful about the possible UGA expansion and annexation and that time would tell on how the process will develop as there were several important documents that yet have to be completed.

Commissioner Arnold asked for time to review the draft Management Agreement received from the County and to respond to the LUA with her comments. Mr. Bertrand commented about the possibility of the County not willing to sign the Management Agreement after Town Staff added their revisions and further commented that the Town Council could challenge the County, if the Town felt that they would be in violation of their affordable housing requirement.

The next meeting of the Friday Harbor Planning Commission will be held on March 13th at 5:30pm in the Town Council Chambers. The public hearing for the 2008 amendments to the 2002 Comprehensive Plan will be held on April 10th, 5:30pm in the Town Council Chambers.

Respectfully submitted by Roxanna Zalmanek, Recording Secretary.