Friday Harbor Planning Commission

November 8, 2007

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, Claudia Cross, Sally Kerr, and Kay Kohler. A full quorum was present.

OTHERS PRESENT: Land Use Administrator Michael Bertrand.

Land Use Administrator Michael Bertrand began discussion by outlining San Juan County’s Phase 1 Friday Harbor Urban Growth Area (UGA) Public Hearing that was held on November 7, 2007. Mr. Bertrand explained that the San Juan County Planning Commission recommended to the County Council that the three areas noted in the Town’s Proposal D be considered for the UGA expansion. The need for an updated Management Agreement between the County and the Town was discussed as well. After discussion was heard regarding the Town’s plan to redensify to meet their required housing units, Mr. Bertrand suggested moving ahead with some of the text changes to the Land Use Regulations in the Friday Harbor Municipal Code. To continue discussion Mr. Bertrand reported that the County along with the Town and the San Juan Community Home Trust has applied and received a block grant for a portion of the utility studies for phase 1; however it was further heard that phase II of the UGA expansion would not be acted on until the infrastructure study for the Town was completed and showed that the additional land could be adequately serviced. Commissioner Arnold asked if the Town Planning Commission would have the opportunity look to at the Management Agreement. Bertrand answered that he wasn’t sure if the Agreement would be seen by the Town Planning Commission, however that the UGA Boundary would not be changed without the Agreement. Problems with the current Management Agreement were discussed and how it could be changed. Bertrand added that the utility study has to be in place before phase 1 is annexed and that the study could take until May of 2008 or longer.

After being asked what the Planning Commission’s next step is, Bertrand explained that Phase 2 would be looked at as well as the text changes to the Land Use Regulations. It was heard that the Management Agreement would need to be changed again when Phase 2 is considered. Commissioner Arnold expressed concerns with the redensification considerations and asked if it was possible to see graphic designs of what a parcel would look like with the requirements of open space, etc. Mr. Bertrand said that at the time of application that those concerns could be looked at.

It was agreed that the next regular meeting of the Friday Harbor Planning Commission would be held in January of 2008.

Hearing no objection the meeting adjourned at 6:07pm.

Transcribed and submitted by Roxanna Zalmanek, Recording Secretary.