Amendments To the Comprehensive Plan & Development Regulations

Required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) of 1990, the City of Port Townsend’s Comprehensive Plan consists of a Land Use Map designating the desired use of lands for various activities, and goals and policies to guide government and private decision-makers in determining how Port Townsend will grow, look and operate in the future. All comprehensive plans are based upon a set of assumptions about trends and events that are likely to occur. Since the future is uncertain, we can only adopt growth strategies based upon our best understanding of likely growth trends and the consequences of implementing a particular strategy.   Plan amendments are anticipated to occur regularly over the life of the Comprehensive Plan.

• What amendments are being considered in 2011? 
• Which amendments and processes relate to the future of Kah Tai Park?
• What criteria are used to review proposed amendments?
• How can the public get involved? – Schedule and Process
• Where can I get more information?

WHAT AMENDMENTS ARE BEING CONSIDERED IN 2011? 

Twelve items are “docketed” and on the work plan for the Planning Commission’s review in 2011.  The amendments are grouped in the following categories:

 1) Land Use and Zoning Related Amendments – (including rezones and  establishing alternative parcel specific zoning in the Comprehensive Plan  and development regulations);

 2) Amendments to the Narrative Text and Tables of the Comprehensive  Plan;

 3) Amendments to Functional Plans; and

 4) Formal Amendments.

Information provided herein is intended to provide a general overview of the amendments on the 2011 docket.  This webpage is not a repository for the entire record.  Documents are available for public inspection at City Hall in the City of Port Townsend Development Services Department, 250 Madison Street, Suite 3.

SECTION 1.   LAND USE AND ZONING RELATED AMENDMENTS 

ITEM 1.1   NOMURA REZONE (LUP11-025)

Proponent:  Nomura/ City Staff

Description:    To transpose the R-II and R-III zoning of the Nomura property generally located at the southwest corner of F Street and San Juan Avenue.

Location: Generally located at the southwest corner of F Street and San Juan Avenue.  Assessor’s Parcel No. 001034002.

Nomura Zoning Map
              

ITEM 1.2 CHERRY STREET REZONE (LUP11-026)

Proponent:  City of Port Townsend

Description:    The City has identified this parcel of City-owned land as potentially suitable for development of affordable housing (Resolution 09-035).  While the majority of the property is zoned R-II (single-family residential) a portion of the site, approximately 15,000-20,000 square feet, is zoned P/OS (Parks and Open/Space).  The proposal is to consolidate the zoning making the entire parcel R-II (single-family residential) consistent with adjacent properties. 

Location:   Generally located on the easterly side of Cherry Street, across from the City Golf Course, between A Street and one block northerly of Van Ness Street adjacent to Grace Lutheran Church of Port Townsend.  Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 001024075 and a small portion of 001023005.

 Cherry Street Zoning Map          

ITEM 1.3    ESTABLISH ALTERNATIVE PARCEL-SPECIFIC ZONING (BEECH STREET REZONE)  (LUP11-027) 

Proponent:   City of Port Townsend

On December 19, 2011, upon recommendation of the City Administration the City Council approved the following motion:

That the rezone of the Beech Street property be withdrawn from the comprehensive plan docket.  The portion of Item 1.3 that would add a dual zoning text amendment to the comprehensive plan would remain on the docket (to allow for designating dual zoning for specific parcels in the future, but would not apply to any property - or the Beech Street property - at this time).  Comprehensive Plan Docket Item 1.3 would be amended as follows:

Description:  The City has identified approximately .88 acres of City-owned land as potentially suitable for development of affordable housing (Resolution 10-024).  The property is zoned P-I (Public/Infrastructure).  Surrounding properties are zoned R-II (single-family residential).   The proposal is to amend both the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations to create a dual or alternative zoning designation and to designate Beech Street with the alternative zoning of R-II (single-family)  which would become effective if the land were surplused or leased.

Location:  Generally located on the westerly side of Beech Street, between M and P Streets. Assessor’s Parcel No.  985204401.

Beech Street Zoning Map

The basis of the Administration recommendation and City Council action:

There are no affordable housing providers currently interested in developing the site.  If there were, it would make more sense to go forward with consideration of the rezone at this time.

• Withdrawal allows opportunity to determine whether the site should remain available for potential affordable housing or whether the site should be designated for park/open space (or other). The draft Parks Functional Plan that will come before Council for action as part of the comprehensive plan process calls for additional pocket/mini parks where needed and feasible.  If approved, the site could be reviewed against the Plan for suitability as a park. 

• Withdrawal does not preclude future action to determine suitability for dual zoning/residential/affordable housing, park/open space, or surplus to third party (residential/non-affordable housing).  There is no plan for any action on Beech Street in 2012.  

• Withdrawal avoids the challenge of adequate environmental review at this time.  The challenge somewhat increases the time and resources of staff and Council to resolve the appeal, when staff and Council time is needed to deal with more critical issues on the comprehensive docket (including, Parks Plan update, and Kah Tai amendments), and more critical issues generally (including, downtown tunnel project; financial issues; and City, public development authority, and state legislative efforts to rehabilitate Fort Worden 202).  

SECTION 2: ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE NARRATIVE, TEXT, AND TABLES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

ITEM 2.1    ADD EMISSIONS POLICY

Proponent:   City of Port Townsend

Description:  Ensure an adequate policy base is contained in the Plan to support anti-pollution efforts and reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Port Townsend.

ITEM 2.2 ADD HOUSING ACTION PLAN AND HAPN POLICY

Proponent:   City of Port Townsend

Description: Update introductory text and add policy to reflect adoption and support of the implementation of the Housing Action Plan and the work of the Housing Action Plan Network committee. 

ITEM 2.3 ADD PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS/PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Proponent: City of Port Townsend

Description: Expand policy and strategies to include public-private partnerships/PDAs as a tool for expanding affordable housing as a means to jump-start mixed-use/redevelopment projects.           

ITEM 2.4    ADD TWO NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE GOALS

Proponent:    City of Port Townsend

Description: Add Parks, Recreation and Open Space Goals & Policies regarding Administration and Operations and regarding Budget & Funding - As part of the draft Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan - 2011 Update,  two new Goals and related Policies are proposed.  

 Draft Goals and Policies
         

ITEM 2.5     KAH TAI LAGOON PARK POLICY - (LUP11-015)

Proponent:    Friends of Kah Tai (Mr. Rick Jahnke, authorized representative)

Description: Adding a new Parks & Recreation Policy to the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan.  This citizen-suggested amendment would further clarify existing policy direction regarding the design and management of park facilities to recognize that Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is a federally-created and federally-protected park in perpetuity.   Specifically (new text indicated by underline): 

Parks & Recreation
Goal 4: To develop park and recreation facilities, programs and opportunities which are responsive to the needs and interests of Port Townsend residents

Policy 4.5: Design and manage park and recreation facilities to maximize environmental protection and provide interpretive opportunities for ecological systems and features, and cultural resources.

4.5.1 Extend maximum environmental protection in perpetuity for the exclusive open space, wildlife habitat, and passive outdoor recreation functions within Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park.

Location:  Generally described as Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park (Exhibit G).  Assessor’s Parcel Nos.  include: 948300202-206 inclusive, 948300301, 948300302, 948300304, 948300701, 948302101, 991400601, 991400901, 991400902, 991401701, 991401702, 991402301, 991402501, 991403303, 991403501.  See map at City Development Services Department.            

ITEM 2.6     KAH TAI LAGOON PARK POLICY ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE

Proponent:     City of Port Townsend

Description: Staff recommended alternative language to item 2.5, above.  According to the application for item #8, the intent is to ensure that the park is managed in accordance with the grant obligations; however, the proposed language does not refer to the grant and regulating documentation.  Therefore, staff provided alternative language in keeping with the stated intent:   

4.5.1 Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park shall be designed and managed in accordance with the legal obligations assumed under the 1981 Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Acquisition Grant. 

Location:    The policy would apply to areas within the 6f3 boundary which are currently in dispute but may generally be described as Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park (Exhibit G).  Assessor’s Parcel Numbers include: 948300202-206 inclusive, 948300301, 948300302, 948300304, 948300701, 948302101, 991400601, 991400901, 991400902, 991401701, 991401702, 991402301, 991402501, 991403303, 991403501.  See map at City Development Services Department.
            

ITEM 2.7    AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO CLARIFY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPREHENSIVE PLANS & FUNCTIONAL PLANS 

Proponent:   City of Port Townsend

Description:  The amendment clarifies that the adoption of a functional plan does not require amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, provided that the functional plan implements and is consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. 

Following is the proposed draft revisions to the text of the Comprehensive Plan, Page II-5 of the Introduction Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan:

How will the Plan be Implemented?

Adopting the Comprehensive Plan is the City's first important step towards realizing the community's vision. The overall vision will only be achieved when the Plan is implemented. Port Townsend's implementation efforts consist of short-term and long-term actions. Some of the short-term actions include revising the City's municipal code (e.g., zoning and subdivision ordinances) to conform with the land use designations and policies of the Plan. Long-term actions includes preparation of functional plans (e.g., Open Spaces and Trails Master Plan, Comprehensive Nonmotorized Plan, etc.), Functional plans do not require amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, provided that the functional plan implements and is consistent with the goals and policies of  the Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the City will monitoring, evaluateing, and amending the Plan as conditions change, and developing a capital investment program that allocates resources to projects that will spur development in the direction envisioned in the Plan.

SECTION 3:  ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO FUNCTIONAL PLANS

ITEM 3  ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO PORT TOWNSEND PARKS,    RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE FUNCTIONAL PLAN (LUP11-034)

Proponent:   City of Port Townsend

Description:  Process as a Comprehensive Plan amendment (to ensure consistency)  proposed updates to the  Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan - 2011 Update (Parks Functional Plan) concurrently with review of changes to  the Comprehensive Plan Parks Goals and Policies.   Proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan would update or remove an outdated Appendix concerning parks capital facility requirements.

You may view the most recent draft here.  The proposal is to process the Parks Functional Plan as a Comprehensive Plan amendment (to ensure consistency) concurrently with review of changes to the Comprehensive Plan Parks Goals and Policies.   Proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan would update or remove an outdated Appendix concerning parks capital facility requirements.
 

SECTION 4:  FORMAL APPLICATIONS 

ITEM 4    AMEND TITLE 17 PTMC – TO ALLOW SMALLER HOTELS IN    C-III  (LUP 11-021)

Proponent:      Quincy Street at the Waterfront, LLC

Description:    The applicant proposes to amend the City’s zoning Code to allow hotels with less than 5 rooms in the C-III zoning District when they would otherwise comply with the Hotels and Historic Preservation Code under Chapter 17.30 PTMC.
 
 
Location:    C-III zoning District

 
WHICH AMENDMENTS AND PROCESSES RELATE TO THE FUTURE OF KAH TAI PARK? 

A number of land use and City planning processes that have been initiated or may be initiated in the near future may affect Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park.  Some of these processes are within the scope of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process while others are not:     

2011 Final Docket - Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process- As described above, several items on the 2011 Final Docket could affect future uses at Kah Tai Park. 

Item 2.5  KAH TAI LAGOON PARK POLICY -(LUP11-015) - The proposal to “extend maximum environmental protection in perpetuity for exclusive open space, wildlife habitat and passive outdoor recreation functions” (if adopted) could – subject to clarification of the proposal – require revision to the Parks Plan and the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP).  

Item 2.6 KAH TAI LAGOON PARK POLICY ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE – this amendment would ensure that land uses within the park are limited to those that are consistent with the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant agreement as required by federal legal obligations (see 6f below);

Item 3 ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO PORT TOWNSEND PARKS,  RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE FUNCTIONAL PLAN

6(f) Boundary Determination - The City of Port Townsend was awarded a Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) acquisition grant in 1981 for the purpose of consolidating ownership around the lagoon thereby “enabling the City to plan and develop a municipal passive park”.  The grant is via the National Parks Service (NPS) and managed via the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and thus often referred to as an NPS or RCO grant).

Two grant sponsors signed the grant agreement – the Port of Port Townsend and the City of Port Townsend.  The LWCF grant came with legal obligations for lands within the area known as the “6(f) boundary”. 

The 6(f) park boundary is under dispute.  The Port of Port Townsend and City of Port Townsend have different opinions as to the 6(f) boundaries.  The RCO grant either closed without definitive boundary maps, or the maps have subsequently been lost from both the NPS’s and RCO’s files.

On September 7, 2011, the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) submitted a letter to NPS recommending 6(f) protection for approximately 78.5 acres. (This includes the area currently leased by the Port to the City). On September 27, 2011, the NPS issued a letter concurring with the recommendation of the RCO boundary determination with one minor exception; "NPS recommends the boundary not cross north of the southern edge of 19th Street/Blaine Street". RCO will finalize the boundary map based on this final determination by NPS.

On October 17, 2011, the City received the Port’s complaint to “quiet title” to its Kah Tai property.  The lawsuit names as defendants the United States, US Dept of Interior, National Parks Service, State of Washington, state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and the City.  The lawsuit (filed in the US District Court in Tacoma) seeks to remove any claim by any defendant to the Port property at Kah Tai (except for the City lease which expires in July, 2012).

Citizens may submit comments on the NPS and RCO process to those agencies (heather_ramsay@nps.gov; Jim.Anest@rco.wa.gov).  There is no pending City process to address 6(f) boundary issues.

City Lease Expiration After the 1981 park acquisition grant co-sponsored by the City and the Port and in preparation for a 1983 IAC (RCO) development grant application by the City, the Port and City signed a 30-year lease in 1982.  The lease provided the City with control of the Port land in the park (approximately 20 acres) and in exchange provided the Port with control of City-owned rights-of-way in the Boat Haven (City/Port ownership Map).  The area owned by the Port, roughly between Kearny Street and Haines Street Park & Ride between the lagoon’s southern boundary and Sims Way, is currently managed by the City as part of Kah Tai Nature Park in accordance with the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Functional Plan. 

The lease expires July 31, 2012.  There are no pending processes concerning the lease expiration.  Thus, upon expiration of the lease, the property will no longer be operated as a City park and will revert to Port control.  Any development or use on the property is subject to review and compliance with applicable zoning and development regulations.  Currently, the property is zoned P/OS- Existing Park and Open Space, however, the Port, like any other property owner retains the right to request a rezone which may or may not be granted by the City depending on the facts and merits of the application.  If NPS rules the area to be within the 6f boundary, its use will remain restricted to park use (and other uses allowed under the terms of the grant agreement).

Citizens may submit comments on this matter to the City Council (CityCouncil@cityofpt.us) or City Manager (dtimmons@cityofpt.us).

Aquatic Center On Port-Owned Property.  MAKE WAVES!, a local non-profit organization, has been granted an option by the Port of Port Townsend that would allow for the permitting and (should the permitting process result in approval) future construction of an aquatic center to be located on 1.9 acres within the current boundary of Kah Tai Park in the vicinity of the Haines Street park and ride.  The Port is the underlying owner of the subject 1.9 acres.  At the expiration of the lease (see City Lease Expiration, above), this property will revert to the Port and will no longer be part of the City’s Kah Tai Park. However, the City of Port Townsend, Admiralty Audubon, the Friends of Kah Tai and others have asserted that protections have been established that run with the land which significantly limits uses other than parkland and/or open space for the site. These protections if they apply would limit the type of facility that could be constructed in this location (see 6(f) Boundary Determination, above).

No applications have been submitted to the City for the MAKE WAVES! proposal. Any future application would be subject to full environmental and land-use review. The adoption of a SEPA Threshold Determination for the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments would not replace, limit or preclude subsequent SEPA review for the project-specific aquatic center proposal (if one is submitted).

The citizen-suggested pending comprehensive plan amendment concerning Kah Tai (see above) would affect the MAKE WAVES! proposal. As proposed, the amendment states the Kah Tai area could only be used for passive outdoor recreation functions and thus would likely prohibit the construction of an aquatic center on the subject property. However, that prohibition may raise a constitutional “takings” challenge from the property owner, the Port of Port Townsend.  The state and federal constitutions provide that a governmental taking occurs (requiring compensation) if a property owner is denied reasonable use of his or her property.  Resolution of the 6(f) Boundary may clarify this issue.  However, even if, as recommended by the RCO, the Port’s property is included within the 6(f) boundary and thus subject to uses allowed by the grant, a takings claim could still be asserted.  This follows because the grant allows for recreation uses and allows for the owner to apply for and (potentially) receive federal approval for a conversion and to provide substitution for the loss of recreational lands. These processes could result in uses that may or may not be consistent with the proposed comprehensive plan amendment.  To the extent the amendment takes away all uses or opportunities for different uses, the owner (Port) could assert a takings.  These issues are being evaluated by City staff. 

The staff-suggested amendment doesn’t directly affect the MAKE WAVES! Proposal. The amendment merely documents the facts (namely, property subject to 6(f) shall be managed in accordance with grant requirements).  The amendment only applies to the Port property if the Port property is subject to 6(f) requirements.  

Comments on the aquatic center proposal, as it relates to the proposed amendment, would be appropriate at the time the Planning Commission and Council takes up the proposed comprehensive plan amendments (see above).  Or community-members may choose to wait to submit comments on a specific aquatic center proposal (if one is made) at the time an application is submitted.   (If 6(f) applies to the Port property, and the Port seeks a conversion from the federal government, presumably there are opportunities for public comment, but whether and how this occurs is beyond the scope of the information in this material.)

Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP).   On June 6, 2011, the City Council approved an update to the NMTP.  During this process, a number of citizens requested a change to the NMTP map, specifically, to eliminate an existing designation of a multi-use trail in Kah Tai at 19th south along Decatur Street (“Decatur Street trail”).  Concerns were raised regarding potential impacts to wetlands and nesting habitat.  Council approved a process that any future amendment to the NMTP regarding the Decatur Street trail would be considered as part of the proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan- Item 2.5 Kah Tai Lagoon Park Policy- which seeks to “maximize environmental protection” at the Park (see above).  Comments, as it relates to the proposed amendment, would be appropriate at the time the Planning Commission and Council takes up the proposed comprehensive plan amendments (see above). 
 
WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO REVIEW PROPOSED AMENDMENTS? 

In their review of the proposed amendments, Planning Commission and City Council are guided by the criterion set forth in Sections 20.04.080(3) and (4) of the Port Townsend Municipal Code:     

3. For all amendments, the planning commission shall develop findings and conclusions and a recommendation which consider:

a. Whether circumstances related to the proposed amendment and/or the area in which it is located have substantially changed since the adoption of the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan;

b. Whether the assumptions upon which the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan is based are no longer valid, or whether new information is available which was not considered during the adoption process or during previous amendment cycles of the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan; and

c. Whether the proposed amendment reflects current widely held community values.

4. Site-Specific Amendments. In addition to considering the criteria set forth in subsection (A)(3) of this section, in order to recommend a proposed plan amendment which relates to a site-specific request, the planning commission must also find that:

a. The proposed amendment meets concurrency requirements for transportation, sewer, and water, and does not adversely affect adopted level of service standards for other public facilities and services, such as police, fire and emergency medical services, park services, and general government services.

b. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, policies and objectives of the various elements of the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan.

c. The proposed amendment will not result in probable significant adverse impacts to the city’s transportation network, capital facilities, utilities, parks, and environmental features that cannot be mitigated, and will not place uncompensated burdens upon existing or planned service capabilities.

d. In the case of an amendment to the land use map, that the subject parcels are physically suitable for the requested land use designation and the anticipated land use development, including but not limited to access, provision of utilities and compatibility with existing and planned surrounding land uses.

e. The proposed amendment will not create a pressure to change the land use designation of other properties, unless the change of land use designation for other properties is in the long-term interests of the community in general.

f. The proposed action does not materially affect the land use and growth projections which are the bases of the comprehensive plan.

g. The proposed action does not materially affect the adequacy or availability of urban facilities and services to the immediate area and the overall area of the city.

h. The proposed amendment is consistent with the GMA, the adopted county-wide planning policy of Jefferson County, any other applicable interjurisdictional policies, plans, or agreements, and any other state or local laws.

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC BE INVOLVED IN THE UPDATE?

PROPOSED SCHEDULE & PROCESS

Dates listed herein are subject to change – please check the city’s homepage for the most current information on workshop and hearing dates.  Notice of SEPA review and of Hearings shall be published in the Port Townsend Leader.  For site-specific amendments, notice will be mailed to current property owners within 300 feet of the site boundaries and by posting on the site itself at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.

Past involvement:  Planning Commission considered the preliminary docket at a public hearing on April 14, 2011 and Council held public hearings on the docket, May 2, 2011 and September 6, 2011.  You may watch the video recordings or review minutes of the hearings at the following link.  

SEPA Review   (Comment/Appeal Period Expires 4:00 PM, December 14, 2011)  (Due to the holidays, the normal 15 day comment period was extended to 21 days.) The planning department is responsible for conducting review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).  The SEPA Responsible Official has issued a Determination of NonSignificance, finding that the proposal does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment.  An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c).  This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency.

Planning Commission Workshops (Tentatively: October - November):  Staff will present materials and answer clarifying questions.  Although not generally permitted, comments from the public may be accepted at the discretion of the Planning Commission Chair.  Workshops are informational meetings. This is not a time for discussion on the merits of the proposals.  Given the number of items on this year's docket, the items have been divided into two groups for review at the upcoming informational meetings:

Group I: October

Item 1.1:  Nomura Rezone (LUP11-025) 
Item 1.2: Cherry Street Rezone (LUP11-026) –    
Item 1.3 Establish Alternative Parcel-Specific Zoning (Beech Street Rezone) (LUP11-027) – 
Item 2.1:  Add Emissions Policy - 
Item 2.2:  Add Housing Action Plan and Housing Action Plan Network Committee (HAPN)
Item 2.3:  Expand policy strategies to include Public-private partnerships/ Public Development Authority
Item 4:  Amend Title 17 PTMC – To Allow Smaller Hotels in C-III (LUP 11-021) 

Group II:  November  

Item 2.4:  Add Two New Comprehensive Plan Parks, Recreation and Open Space Goals and related policies regarding Administration & Operations, Budget & Funding
Item 2.5:  Kah Tai Lagoon Park Policy - (LUP11-015) -
Item 2.6:  Kah Tai Lagoon park Policy Alternative Language -
Item 2.7:  Amend the Comprehensive Plan to Clarify the Relationship Between Comprehensive Plans & Functional Plans
Item 3:  Adoption of Amendments to Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan (LUP11-034)

Planning Commission Hearing (Tentatively: December):  The Planning Commission holds a public hearing (or hearings) concerning proposals on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket.  A staff report is provided prior to the public hearing.  A legal notice in the newspaper of record, The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader, initiates a public comment period in preparation for the Planning Commission public hearing.   Following the public hearing, Planning Commission forwards their recommendation to the City Council.
City Council Workshop (Tentatively:  January 2012):  Staff will present materials and answer clarifying questions.  Although not generally permitted, comments from the public may be accepted at the discretion of the Mayor.  Workshops are informational meetings. This is not a time for discussion on the merits of the proposals.  

City Council Hearing (Tentatively: February 2012): City Council is scheduled to review the Planning Commission recommendation and conduct a public hearing or hearings before taking action.   
 

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?  HOW DO I SUBMIT A COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS?

Information provided on this webpage is intended to provide a general overview of the amendments on the 2011 docket.  This webpage is not a repository for the entire record.

Documents are available for public inspection at: 
City of Port Townsend
Development Services Department
250 Madison Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368

If you require copies of documents or assistance with the website, please contact: 
Pam Kolacy, City Clerk
360-379-5045
pkolacy@cityofpt.us

WHAT IF I WANT TO SUBMIT COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENTS?  

The City has established a process to handle comments or questions on the amendments.  In order for a comment or question to become part of the official record for City Council/Planning Commission consideration, you should submit it to the City Clerk via email at  pkolacy@cityofpt.us or at the address below:

City of Port Townsend City Council/Planning Commission 
250 Madison Street Ste. 2, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Please reference the specific amendment of concern, for example,
SUBJECT:  Item 1.1:  Nomura Rezone (LUP11-025)

(You may also submit it directly (orally and/or in writing) at the hearing.

City staff will not respond directly to your comment or question.  Staff compiles all comments received, and prepares a response that is included in a staff report to the Planning Commission/City Council.  Staff reports are made available to the public (i.e., posted on the website) roughly one week in advance of the next scheduled hearing. 

The only exception to the above is if your inquiry is to Judy Surber, Senior Planner, and the inquiry specifically states it seeks clarifying information only.  Be sure to include your phone number.  Judy’s address is:  jsurber@cityofpt.us  or you may call Judy at 360-379-5084.  She will make every effort to respond to your question in advance of the hearing.  Most likely this will be by a phone call.  Questions received less than a week in advance of the Planning Commission or Council meeting may be answered at the meeting itself. Unless discussed at the meeting, the question submitted does not become part of the record for City Council/Planning Commission consideration.