Minutes

Friday Harbor Planning Commission

January 10, 2008

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

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Laura Arnold, Gina Creone, Sally Thomsen, and Kay Kohler. Claudia Cross and Jeff Iverson previously reported their absence and were excused. A quorum was present.

The Planning Commission minutes of August 9th & November 8th, 2007 were unanimously approved.

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

Land Use Administrator Michael Bertrand began discussion by informing those present that the comment period for requests for changes to the Comprehensive Plan had ended on December 31, 2007. Copies of the two requests received were handed out and discussion began on surrounding zoning and neighborhoods, schools, traffic patterns, and trails. The requests are as follows:

Ken Dougherty and Glenn Walhbrink - #351391414 a Grover Street parcel of approximately 2.54 acres - requested a reclassification from the Single Family Residential zone to the Multi Family Residential zone.

Port of Friday Harbor – #351491615 an eastern portion of 895 Spring Street – requested a reclassification from Commercial to the Public Service zone.

Michael Bertrand noted that no requests for text changes were received during the request cycle for 2007, and if staff felt the need to make text changes to Title 17 of the Friday Harbor Municipal Code (FHMC) for redensification purposes it could be done anytime during the year as it is not related to the Comp Plan reclassification requests.

Concerns were heard regarding the airport request and the possibilities of loosing the pedestrian trails in the acquisition areas of the Port’s airport expansion. Commissioner Arnold asked for copies of portions of the Port’s Master Plan that address the acquisition areas. Mr. Bertrand responded that he would talk to the Port about the areas and make it available, if possible. Additional acquisition areas were discussed which are located behind San Juan County’s Public Works Department on Spring Street. Commissioner Arnold inquired if there was a pattern of losing available commercial zoned property in the same area. The Land Use Administrator commented that the area was considered to be on the edge and was not too desirable for business that needed the downtown atmosphere; however, the area is good for business that didn’t need the traffic.

Aerial maps of the Port trails were reviewed and the Land Use Administrator was asked to inquire if the Port had actually dedicated some trails in the area, and if there was a formal instrument recorded for the dedication. The Port’s Mission Statement was discussed as a possible means to find the dedication of the trails.

The Land Use Administrator reported that the Economic Development Study Element will not be completed until 2009 and would not be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan until that time.

Mr. Bertrand informed those present that the Urban Growth Area (UGA) had been expanded; however, the area would not be annexed until the Management Agreement and the associated map are completed by San Juan County and approved by the Town. Further heard was that the Petition for Annexation would not be accepted until the Management Agreement and map was fully agreed on. It was heard that the Planning Commissioners should get the opportunity to review the Management Agreement and make recommendations to the Town Council and that Michael Bertrand had already gone before the Town Council to inform them of the review. Those present asked for minutes to reflect that the Planning Commissioners wish to review the Management Agreement and be allowed to make recommendations.

Questions were raised by Commissioner Thomsen concerning the Town’s need for funding from the County with the infrastructure costs for the UGA expansion. Mr. Bertrand responded in the affirmative, but explained that help with the costs would be more for Phase II of the expansion. The Land Use Administrator further explained that Phase I would not require funding from the County as it is the Town’s allocation for housing; and that Phase II would be the County’s allocation for housing and would require infrastructure costs support. It was heard that the County has applied for a grant to aid in the study for the infrastructure costs in Phase I & II which may be awarded to the County this month.

3 of 4 Planning Commissioners present voiced their agreement with staff’s preliminary recommendations regarding the 2007 reclassifications to the comprehensive plan. The Land Use Administrator voiced hope for a public hearing on the 2007 reclassifications sometime in March 2008. To answer concerns, Mr. Bertrand said he would address Port expansion properties and the Port’s Master Plan for them in the comprehensive plan staff report. All present said they would be available for the public hearing on March 27th.

There were questions about the timing of an environmental review of the proposed Comp Plan changes and Mike responded that is isn’t occurring at this stage.

An update of construction projects within the Town was brought to the attention of those present; and are as follows: Guard Street Improvement Phase 4, Danaher Project on Argyle Avenue, Submarine Sewer Line Replacement Project, and Larsen Street Storm drain Project.

A CTED seminar was offered to the Planning Commissioners from 12:30 to 3:30pm with the place to be announced. Roxanna Zalmanek will send an email notice for a reminder as well as all the particulars of the class.

Hearing no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 pm. The next regular meeting of the Friday Harbor Planning Commission will be held on February 14th at 5:30pm.

Respectfully submitted by Roxanna Zalmanek, Recording Secretary.