JULY, 2002 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:

1    ROLL CALL: Chair Balen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Chair Balen and Commissioners Meatzie, Hauser, Uhl, Milligan and Cutter answered the roll. Commissioner Cvar was absent. A quorum was present.
2.    CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3.    COMMISSION COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Commissioner Meatzie voiced a concern that the new building on a lot in Old Town did not appear to be conforming to the current code requirements. Mr. Lewis will check it out. Commissioner Hauser was excited to see that the RV dump was reopened. Commissioner Uhl indicated that this was in large part due to the efforts of Councilor Welch. Commissioner Balen asked if Commissioner Cutter had drafted his letter regarding the concerns about the fireworks. He did not draft the letter, but did contact ODFW and they indicated they would have a couple agents present on the walkways, and a boat in the water to help deter problems. It did appear that the problems were not nearly as great as they had been the previous year. Chair Balen asked if Mr. Lewis had checked out the concerns about the Excel Drug parking lot. Mr. Lewis responded that he had looked into the permit process, and as long as a business license was acquired and safety issues such as signage were complied with, there were no apparent prohibitions against such a use. Chair Balen thanked the Commission for covering during his absence.
4.    MINUTES: The Commission considered the minutes from the June 18, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Meatzie moved to approve the minutes as presented. Commissioner Hauser seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5.    CORRESPONDENCE: None.
6.    PUBLIC HEARING: None.
7.    OLD BUSINESS: Staff reported that the Finance and Administration Committee had considered the issue of Transient Rental Licensing and had determined to forward a recommendation to Council not to do anything at the present time. Commissioner Cutter suggested that the Commission forward a recommendation to the Council that the Crestline Park site be used for the Skatepark, as a conditional use permit had already been approved for that site. Any other site would require a conditional use permit hearing, and the timeline for such would delay the project past the time for the grant. Consensus of the Commission was favorable.
8.    NEW BUSINESS:
   A.    Parking Requirement Discussion: Mr. Lewis indicated that he had distributed a memo to the Commission regarding the parking requirements for a health club. He reviewed his research and indicated that his recommendation was to allow 1 parking space for every 230 square feet. This would work out to 16 parking spaces for the proposed 3500 square foot building. Commissioner Hauser asked how the issue came before the Commission, and Mr. Lewis explained that the City had received an offer for a portion of the Waldport Motel lot, but the issue of parking for the proposed facility needed to be decided in order to determine the amount of property required. Chair Balen indicated that if the building were divided into thirds, with the idea that one-third of the building would be used for restrooms, offices, storage, etc., then the requirement of one space for every 100 square feet would result in about 24 parking spaces. Chair Balen then showed conceptual drawings which showed potential configurations. He suggested that the City consider offsetting some of the required parking by providing City parking lots, in areas like Red Ditch and the Patterson parking lot. In his opinion, given the City Planner's research, and anticipating a modest growth in the business, he felt that 20 spaces would satisfy the Planning Commission. Commissioner Meatzie indicated that the main use of the facility would be in early morning, when some parking could be accommodated with parking at Clark's Market and other areas. He felt that 16 spaces would be sufficient. Further discussion ensued. Commissioner Cutter indicated that the Commission should consider not just the minimum space required, but the quality of that parking and accommodation of growth. Ms. Strom addressed the Commission, noting the current difficulties she was experiencing at her current location. Commissioner Cutter expressed a concern that handicapped parking was not addressed in the Code, and it would behoove the Commission to consider the issue and err on the side of a few more spaces rather than less. Commissioner Hauser suggested compromising and considering 18 spaces. Commissioner Meatzie responded that, given the times of use, the additional spaces may create an additional burden to the applicant. At 16 spaces, she was adding 10 spaces to the number of spaces she currently had. Further discussion ensued. Chair Balen indicated that the times of use should not be used as a criteria for determining parking, as that may fluctuate on a daily basis. Commissioner Milligan expressed a preference for the 18-space proposal. Commissioner Meatzie moved to require 18 spaces. Commissioner Cutter seconded. Mr. Lewis suggested that the Commission base the parking on the square footage. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Meatzie moved to propose a substitute motion to require 1 space for every 200 square feet. Commissioner Cutter seconded. It was noted that this would work out to 18 spaces for the current proposal. Commissioner Milligan called for the question, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    B.    Planner's Report: Mr. Lewis reviewed his written report. Discussion ensued regarding Ocean Hills and the necessity for the City to obtain a road approach permit for Ocean Hills Drive. Mr. Lewis indicated his understanding of the left hand turn lane was that it was based on the density of the housing. He will keep the Commission apprised of the progress on the issue. Mr. Lewis noted a request for time extension for Norwood Heights II, Phase 3 would be before the Commission at their next meeting. The Commission requested some background information in the packet material to refresh their memories. Mr. Lewis will also include sign permits in his future reports. Discussion ensued regarding the placement of illegal (A-frame) signs on Mill Street and other areas around town and enforcement of the City's Code. The Commission requested that staff draft a friendly reminder to send to business owners who may not be aware of the City's Code requirements.
   C.    Other Issues: Mr. Lewis asked that the Commission consider proposed scheduling of future Planning Commission meetings. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the Commission was to try meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month, beginning in August. If that did not work, they would revisit the issue.
9.    ADJOURNMENT: At 7:55 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Hauser moved to adjourn. Commissioner Meatzie seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

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